Golf Ireland encourage diversity through content and storytelling

Golf Ireland Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Deborah Madden is excited to launch the new #GolfLikeMe campaign that will encourage diversity of content across the governing body’s media channels.

#GolfLikeMe is a campaign to help increase the visibility and representation of golfers from currently underrepresented backgrounds and walks of life across Golf Ireland’s communication channels, with a particular focus on our social media profiles.

The objective is to diversify this space and provide people with the platform to tell the many wonderful stories of how they make golf work in their everyday lives.

Golf Ireland were interested in voices currently underrepresented in the game: those from the LGBTQIA+ Community, people from minority/diverse ethnic backgrounds, young people, women and girls, people with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

“This is a brand new Golf Ireland initiative about inclusion. We’re looking to represent those currently underrepresented voices in the game of golf and in the media more generally,” said Madden.

“We’re looking at opening up and telling stories about people that just aren’t there at the minute.

“To do that we have got eight advocates to tell their stories, how they make golf work for them, how they fit golf into their world and what golf looks like from their perspective.”

The #GolfLikeMe advocates carry out an initial period of 17 months across 2024-2025, and then from 2026 onwards new advocates will complete 12-month stints, which will begin in February of each year.

These advocates will create content for Golf Ireland’s communication channels by documenting their journey in golf. This begins by introducing themselves as a #GolfLikeMe advocate, and then they have the freedom to create content showcasing their golfing life, which will be shared across Golf Ireland’s communication channels.

Advocates will also form an advisory group for Golf Ireland and be consulted on various policies and initiatives. Golf Ireland will also welcome the input of the advocates on what they would like to see more of, so that the governing body can best support their communities’ participation.

“We had an induction day on 1 August and they all came to Golf Ireland HQ. They got a round of golf on the O’Meara Course in Carton House and they got a bundle of kit as well,” said Madden.

“The advocates are being given a month on Golf Ireland’s social media to tell their stories, add content across it and introduce themselves.”