Manhattan Ultimate Disc and Missoula Ultimate Federation Are Newest Affiliate Members
Posted: April 10, 2013 08:30 AM
Boulder, Colo. (April 9, 2013)—USA Ultimate announced today official affiliation with Manhattan Ultimate Disc and the Missoula Ultimate Federation, the most recent leagues to partner with the national governing body under its League Affiliate Model.
Manhattan Ultimate Disc and the Missoula Ultimate Federation join New Jersey HS Ultimate, CT Ultimate Club, Columbus Disc Association, the Ultimate Players League of Austin, and Neuqua Valley Ultimate as official USA Ultimate affiliated leagues. As part of the agreement, these leagues will receive additional resources and support from USA Ultimate designed to assist with the expansion and promotion of grassroots programs and serve local players.
USA Ultimate’s League Affiliate Model represents a significant component of its recently announced six-year strategic plan, which places an emphasis on growing youth, college and league ultimate.
"Manhattan Ultimate Disc and DiscNY, as one of the longest-running ultimate organizations in New York City, are proud to extend our relationship with USA Ultimate," said Winston Suntaree of Manhattan Ultimate Disc. "Our new affiliate relationship will help support, promote and grow the sport of ultimate in the metropolitan New York area. Early efforts are focused on youth play by securing fields for the existing NYC High School Ultimate league, establishing a youth summer league, funding YCC teams and holding clinics as well as setting up a website to provide information on all things ultimate-related in the NY Metro area."
Among the benefits offered to USA Ultimate-affiliated leagues are various materials and programs that will assist with education, instruction and training initiatives, as well as several streams of financial support. Affiliated leagues receive access to USA Ultimate’s Learn to Play program, as well as curricula designed for physical education in a classroom setting, coaching education, and observer certification. USA Ultimate also assists its affiliated leagues with the facilitation of community recreation programs, youth camps and college program outreach.
"The Missoula Ultimate Federation (MUF) looks forward to using the resources provided by USA Ultimate as a new affiliate to help support and grow what we consider to be one of the most special communities in ultimate," explained John O’Connor, Missoula Ultimate Federation President. "MUF is dedicated to growing youth recreational and club ultimate and we believe USA Ultimate has a great plan for growing our sport by emphasizing youth development."
Financial resources are available to USA Ultimate-affiliated leagues in the form of grants, discounts, and rebate dollars, while leagues can also benefit from an insurance program covering events, players, directors and officers.
While USA Ultimate maintains a close programmatic and strategic relationship with its affiliates, each league remains a separate and distinct entity that exists to serve its constituents, elects a board of directors and manages affairs under its own set of bylaws.
For more information on how to become a USA Ultimate affiliate, visit usaultimate.org, or contact USA Ultimate Director of Membership and Sport Development, Melanie Byrd at melanie@hq.usaultimate.org.
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