What is the Learn to Play Initiative from USA Ultimate?
Learn to Play is a USA Ultimate Youth Outreach initiative that partners with organizers across the country:
Apply to Host a Learn to Play Event
Learn to Play Program Goals:
- Host fun events that attract brand new players to the sport
- Connect local youth volunteers and coaches with other community youth serving organizations (YSOs)
- Promote local a Ultimate organization's youth programs
- Grow participation in local youth play
Learn to Play Events:
Learn to Play Events are flexible and can take on a number of forms:
- Community-based events for schools, recreation centers, youth groups & other YSOs.
- "Bring a friend" youth play nights
- Open Registration events held centrally for developed ultimate communities
- Youth focused offerings/promotion held in conjunction with major tournaments
Program Benefits Include:
- Promotion Learn to Play Event through:
- Facebook advertisements
- Press Releases
- Traditional Advertising (flyers, newspaper/circular ads)
- USA Ultimate Event Support
- Equipment (Discs, cones, pennies)
- USAU Event signage
- Logistics planning
- Certain event expenses
- Liability Coverage for Lear
- A Staff member on site for one event (when possible)
Program Requirements:
- Local Learn to Play Coordinator
- The local coordinator helps arrange logistics & volunteers
- Local knowledge about promotion & event feasibility are key to successful execution
- Youth serving Ultimate opportunities
- Volunteers/ Volunteer Coaches (at least 1:10 participants)
Previous Learn to Play Events
- 20 12:
Triangle Youth Ultimate League: Carrboro, NC
Tampa Bay Youth Ultimate League: Tampa Bay, FL
Colorado Springs Ultimate: Colorado Springs, CO
MO Recreation & Parks & Missouri Ultimate: Columbia, MO
USA Ultimate & Tampa Bay Youth Ultimate League: Sarasota, FL
- 2011:
Triangle Youth Ultimate league held 4 2 hour clinics in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham, including a halloween night and an exhibition game by elite club players. Over 60 boys and girls participated in the clinics.
- 2010:
Learn to Play program began in the winter of 2010 as a series of meetings between youth organizers in Boulder, Colorado. Organizers and new players met once a week for four weeks before the youth club season began in the spring of 2010.