On 8th April the Equality Bill received Royal Assent and became the Equality Act 2010.  The Act is likely to have an impact on all golf clubs and it is essential therefore that golf clubs understand its implications.  With this in mind the Golf Union of Wales (GUW) and the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) held 2 seminars in Wales during July.  

Please click on the following link to download the advice handout which was circulated on the days of the seminars Equality Act Seminar Handout

In November 2010 the GUW received the following communication from the government's Equality Act Implementation Team and the document referered to below can be downloaded by clicking on Equality Act - how will it affect sports clubs?

Equality Act 2010: How does it affect sports clubs?

I am writing to let you know about changes the Government has made through the Equality Act 2010 which may affect some private clubs and other types of associations, including some sports clubs.

The Government Equalities Office has prepared the attached guidance which may be useful to the organisations you cover. However, the provisions in the Act which apply to associations do not apply to all sports clubs and the definitions regarding who these particular provisions apply to are set out below:

These provisions of the Act affects associations which:
* have 25 or more members,and
* control access to membership by rules involving a selection process.

For example, clubs which require applicants for membership to make a personal application, be sponsored by other members and/ or go through some kind of selection process will be affected by the changes.

You may wish to send this guidance out to your member organisations that are covered by these provisions so that they are aware of the changes that came into force on 1 October and their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

The guidance can also be found online at: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/2010-11-10%20GEO_EqAct_Private%20Clubs%20Guidance.pdf

Other guidance that may affect your member organisations can be found athttp://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/equality_act_2010_what_do_i_n.aspx