BUCS ULTIMATE FRISBEE STRATEGY

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1 BUCS ULTIMATE FRISBEE STRATEGY This document outlines realistic strategic aims for the development of Ultimate in Higher Education in the UK. The BUCS Ultimate strategy covers the period The aim of the strategy is to improve BUCS Ultimate across three key areas; Participation, Competition, and Performance. Both sport and HE is experiencing significant changes, having been directly affected by recent political and economic factors. This strategy needs to reflect the added financial pressures on HE sports provision over the next few years, and be mindful of the increased pressure across HE to improve the quality of student experience and enhance graduate employability. The strategy, therefore aims to support this and ensure that ultimate provides a valuable role in this. The aim of the Ultimate Frisbee strategy for the period is to improve and increase Ultimate Frisbee over 3 key areas: Participation Competition Performance Current Position of Ultimate in the UK & in University sport: The total number of HEI s offering Ultimate ranges between 70 and 80. Total number of registered (members of UKU) Ultimate players in UK: 2007 membership approx membership approx 2800 There is currently growth in the women s and mixed competitions in particular, indicating that there is growth in the number of university clubs that are growing and becoming more stable. While the size and stability of HEI clubs is growing the rate of increase in the number of HEI s has slowed.

2 The UKU (UK Ultimate) main club competitions (non-university) have had the following numbers in the last few years: Open: 60-70* Women: 16-20* Mixed: 40-50* *Note that this is the number of clubs some clubs enter more than one team to these events. There are no focus Universities for Ultimate at the moment. Proportion of UK Ultimate members that are current students: 40% Proportion of UK Ultimate members that are currents students or graduates est. 95% About UK Ultimate Ultimate as a sport was only invented just over 40 years ago, and therefore has developed rapidly in a short space of time. UK Ultimate (UKU) is the National Governing Body for the sport of ultimate in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Ultimate has been growing steadily in the UK for many years, and players can be found across the whole country. Internationally the UK continues to improve its standing with national and club teams performing consistently well at European and World championship level. As the National Governing Body, UK Ultimate aims to support, assist and encourage players and teams at all levels of the sport.

3 Participation For a young, non-traditional sport, Ultimate is growing. After an initial rapid growth in the number of Universities taking up the sport, we are now seeing a slowing in this aspect, but continued growth in the membership of those clubs, either through number of playing members, or by setting up a women s team. Some Universities have invested in coaching staff which is another big step for the sport. Approximately 50 university club members have done the UKU Level 1 coaching course in the last 1-2 years based on some support from their university club. Strategy for Developing Participation Focus Aim Measures of success Introduce a development event run by To increase participation in A good number of new UKU, in conjunction with BUCS early in the season to encourage new players to give the sport a try. This will be in the form of a beach tournament at the BUCS Surf Championships. all teams, especially from players that are new to the sport. players participating at the development event and then going on to play the sport regularly. The BUCS Ultimate Championships to incorporate the Women s outdoor championship, along with an alumni competition. Run the Ultimate Women s Championships alongside the BUCS Open Championships to encourage participation in the event. Produce engagement and club development guidelines for individual clubs to access to encourage new members to join UKU development officers to assist the development of intramural competitions. competitors and competition at the Championships and ensure a full weekend of competition. To improve the standard of the women s competition. To improve the student experience. women s team entering the championships individuals and teams entering the championships Regular competitions that players can compete in aside from the BUCS Championships. General increase in entries. Improved student experience. Specific increase in entries of women s teams. More women s teams entering the championships. More clubs with more members New competitions between University clubs.

4 Competition BUCS currently offer an Indoor Championships (solely men s competition) in November, as well as an Outdoor Championships (the open championships some teams have women playing) in March as part of the BUCS Championships in Sheffield. SWOT analysis of Championships Strengths Pinnacle of Ultimate in Uni s has regional qualifiers Well run by UKU staff supported by BUCS staff Good current venue at MSM for outdoor and Notts for indoor. Part of the BUCS Championships (profile raiser for sport) Safety good cover of physio and medical staff Weaknesses Time of year in Ultimate season (knock on effect is that regional qualifiers are cancelled or postponed, or played in poor conditions). Relatively remote location Only offered for men s and open competition. Opportunities Secondary spend (increasing student satisfaction) Make it an event as opposed to just a competition Adding the women s competition to the Championships Threats Size/capacity Weather Other sports Club funding Other commercial competitions

5 Developing the Competition Focus Aim Measures of success BUCS Championship Final to be at Iconic Venue to grow the event. Move the BUCS Ultimate Frisbee Championships out from the BUCS Championships to later in the year. The BUCS Ultimate Championships to incorporate the Women s outdoor championship, along with an alumni competition. Introduce a mixed tournament to the BUCS Championships (this is a different sport, with different players). To increase the profile of the event, show that the event is developing and that the Finals are a celebration of the sport. To avoid the cancellation of the regional qualifying rounds and to potentially play in better weather conditions. competitors and competition at the Championships and ensure a full weekend of competition. To improve the standard of the women s competition. To improve the student experience. To maintain ultimate as part of the championships, recognise mixed ultimate as a sport. Provide lasting memories for participants. Improve the student experience. All regional rounds to take place ensuring a proper qualification process and a better level of competition and student experience at the BUCS Championships. General increase in entries. Improved student experience. Specific increase in entries of women s teams. Mixed Ultimate to grow and be a recognised discipline.

6 Performance In 2010 three teams were sent to the inaugural U23 World Championships this was approximately 70 athletes across Open, Women and Mixed squads. 99% were university students, or very recent graduates. There are around current 30 University players who would be considered to be top players ie. would be selected for one of the top teams in the country and possible for International honours. UKU have supported the World Flying Disc Federation in establishing U23 World Championships (2010 and 2013). We are very excited about this opportunity for University players as they are such a big proportion of our membership. A Performance Pathway is as follows: World Games GB Men s &Women s Squads Under 23 s Squad Annual Club Championships Juniors Competition BUCS Ultimate Frisbee Programme Performance Development Focus Aim Measures of success Increase student awareness of the performance pathway available to them. Work with UKU and the HE sector to offer more coaching to more clubs. Increase the general quality of the competition, and the quality of the players playing in it. To bring the representative and university sector together. More players entering into club competitions, a better level of player at U-23 level, more current students being selected for full representative honours. Improved standard of competitors.

7 Next steps The next steps to implement the strategy are outlined in the Ultimate Strategy Delivery Plan