News 85 Kids Learn to Play at the 2013 National Championships

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85 Kids Learn to Play at the 2013 National Championships

Posted: October 23, 2013 01:48 PM

Boulder Colo. (Oct. 23, 2013) – Eight-five kids, ranging in age from 11-18, participated in the 2013 National Championships Learn to Play clinic, the biggest Championship Learn to Play clinic held to date. The Dallas Ultimate Association promoted the event in the months leading up the Championships and found unparalleled interest in the opportunity.

Registration maxed out over a week before the event. Kids of Ultimate Hall of Famers played alongside kids who were brand new to the sport. In a state that has not yet had the interest needed to host a youth girls’ state championship event, the group included over a dozen girls.

A dozen coaches from Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Francisco, representing Plex, Doublewide, Space City and Revolver, helped teach basic ultimate skills, with focuses on throws, timing, marking and cutting.

"I cannot compliment enough the Dallas Ultimate Association coaches and organizing staff on the fantastic work they did in organizing the clinic," said Mike Lovinguth, USA Ultimate Manager of Youth and Education Programs.

The 2013 National Championships also saw the first-ever middle school field trip to a USA Ultimate event. A group of 40 kids and three adults made their way to FC Dallas to watch some of the best ultimate in the world and participate in a skills clinic. They were able to watch their local teams get wins in pool play and take in all aspects of the National Championships before heading over to the clinic. Three stations were set up where the kids could work on ultimate fundamentals: backhands, forehands and marking.

The goal of the USA Ultimate Learn to Play program is to get new players excited by having meaningful learning opportunities connect with real playing opportunities, such as local leagues. North Carolina, Maine, Pittsburgh, Colorado Springs and Boulder have all hosted clinics, with participant numbers ranging from a few kids to a couple hundred, all meant to bolster involvement in their local youth leagues.

For more information on the Learn to Play program or to find out how to host a clinic in your city, contact Mike Lovinguth at mike@hq.usaultimate.org or visit usaultimate.org.