USA Ultimate

Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 19, 2018) – USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States, is excited to announce the addition of Gail Reich to the outreach volunteer structure as the new Girls’ National Outreach Director (GNOD). Reich assumes the role after current GNOD Rachel Johnson elected to step down. Johnson has been the GNOD for nearly two and a half years. Thanks and considerable appreciation go out to Johnson for her outstanding work in her tenure as the GNOD. 

In her new role, Reich will continue building on the foundation laid by Johnson, and Heather Ann Brauer before her, to help USA Ultimate in its continuing efforts to increase the number of girls participating in the sport around the country. The Girls’ National Outreach Director, more than any other position in the youth volunteer structure, is focused on reaching out to areas without a current structure for girls’ play and helping identify volunteers who can lead the development of community-appropriate playing opportunities and nurture new communities in growing girls’ ultimate. 

In addition, Reich will assist in the expansion of the girls’ ultimate outreach volunteer base and manage the four girls’ regional outreach directors. Reich will also serve as part of the Outreach Working Group and contribute to the development of guidance on best practices for growing girls’ ultimate. She will help provide resources and assistance on outreach programs to girls’ regional and state outreach volunteers and work with USA Ultimate staff to implement Girls’ Ultimate Movement (GUM) programing through the youth outreach structure across the country.

"I am very excited about taking on the role of Girls’ National Outreach Director," said Reich. "This role allows me to combine my passion for ultimate, my desire to spread that passion to others, my love of working with youth and my interest in organizational development. I have been connected to the Girls' Ultimate Movement since its inception, and I very much look forward to affecting its growth at a higher level."

Reich has been an active member of the Chicago ultimate community for over a decade and has been a member of the Ultimate Chicago Board of Directors for the last six years. She is also a past treasurer of the organization and has managed the Chicago high school spring league for the past six years. Reich has been a USA Ultimate volunteer in many roles, including serving as tournament director for the National Championships, Division III College Championships and the upcoming Masters Championships. As a player, she has competed at the college, club and masters levels, as well as in the beach division, and has attended national championship events at all levels. In her professional life, Reich is a psychotherapist with her own practice. 

For more information about USA Ultimate’s youth outreach volunteer network and to find open positions, visit the contact us pages at usaultimate.org.

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