USA Ultimate

Boulder, Colo. (December 11, 2013)– USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States, is pleased to announce a partnership with the inaugural Youth Ultimate Coaching Conference (YUCC) scheduled to take place on February 1, 2014, in Oakland, Calif.  USA Ultimate, along with fellow YUCC partners RISE UP, Ultimate Peace, E.R.I.C., Nike Ultimate Camps and Skyd, is excited to support the Bay Area Disc Association and their goal of fostering a qualified coaching community, a key element in the future development of our sport. Education of ultimate coaches, administrators and players is the fastest way to continue fueling the explosion of ultimate and the introduction of the sport to elementary and middle school youth.

Speakers from all over the country, both from within the ultimate community as well as professionals and experts from outside the community, including Matt Tsang, Mike Payne, Miranda Roth Knowles, John Sandahl, William Bartram and Ben Wiggins will present on a wide range of topics meant to help educate current and future youth ultimate coaches. Maggie Ruden and Beau Kittredge will headline the conference as keynote speakers.

YUCC will be a forum for discussing today’s relevant and pressing issues, networking, and getting inspired.  Presentation topics will include growing the sport at the youth level, leveraging after school programs, using Spirit to teach conflict resolution and prevent bullying, new resources for player development & skills curricula, coaching styles and personalities, and teaching methods for different gender and age groups. A panel on coaching girls and a hands-on program building workshop round out the day.

"We like to talk a big talk about how important it is to promote, legitimize and bring visibility to the sport. We go on about the Olympics, pro leagues and TV coverage, but we often forget that the future of ultimate also depends on the next generation of coaches," explains Valerio Iani, YUCC director and Bay Area Disc Association Youth Director. "Exposure and infrastructure are essential, but ultimately teachers are the pivotal figures that will transmit their knowledge and passion to future generations of Ultimate players. Fostering a qualified coaching community is key for the future of our sport. We hope you’ll join the conference here in California!"

USA Ultimate will be hosting a Level I Coaching Clinic in the Bay Area on January 18. USA Ultimate’s Learn to Play Clinics, Coaching Development Program and Teaching Ultimate curriculum are three of many initiatives USA Ultimate utilizes when working with teachers, coaches and parents to deliver safe, effective coaching. To help further continuing education and development in the ultimate community, USA Ultimate has previously partnered with the Ultimate Coaches and Players Conference as well as hosting the U.S. Open Convention.

For more information or to register for the Youth Ultimate Coaching Conference, visit bayareadisc.org.
 

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