Why isn't Ultimate In the Olympics?

I tried to find out the answer as I think through about Singapore Ultimate. This is from WFDF. If we want to work towards a better organisation, we need to work towards the bigger picture. Of course, this is not within our area of concern. But if we are aligned to the World Organisation's direction, we are in the right direction.

The simple answer is: we are not big enough.
The IOC has recently established some guidelines for sports entering the olympics. There is a list of sport evaluation criteria (PDF), and a report on existing olympic sports and potential new sports (PDF) prepared for inclusion in the 2012 games.

Some of the minimum milestones we should aim for before being even considered include:

• 110 member nations
• 50% of member nations organising National Championships
• 50% of member nations participating in qualifying events for World Games/continental championships
• World Championships broadcast in 10 countries (and TV rights paid for in at least 1 country)
• Spectator sales at World Championships in the 10,000s
• 100 media accreditation requests at World Championships
• 100 press articles at World Championships
• 5 major sponsors

Getting into the olympics also involves a lot of politics and money. We are relatively poor as an international sport, and we are new at the sports politics game. Both those things will improve over time.
As well, once we got to the stage of being big enough, we would need to ask ourselves whether being part of the olympics is the right thing for our sport. It would inevitably involve compromises.
At the moment, we are part of the World Games. It is the multisport event for non-olympic sports, and a major stepping stone to the olympics. That does not commit us to a path to the olympics, but allows us to trial being part of an international multisport event. We are learning many lessons.

New Year, New you, New Swee Nee

Forget about your new year resolution to stay fit, get leaner or be a better player. Nothing beats action. A new year means following a strict diet and fitness regine. To those players who always imagine themselves as 18, wake up!!! Please do your warm up for every game even if it is pick up. If you are serious about the sport and you want to have a longer playing career, you got to take care of your health. Stretch those tight muscles before playing or you risk pulling hamstring. Yes, and I am not PULLING your leg. A 3-day 'clean' diet will make a significant impact on your performance on the field.

Let's work together for a better UPA(S) and Ultimate community.

The secret to make something work, is, first of all, the deep desire to make it work: then the faith and believe that it can work: then to hold clear definite vision in your consciousness and see it working out step by step, without one thought of doubt or disbelief. - Eileen Caddy, author

Take Home Exam for New Players!

Got this from the UPA website. For coaches, this might be useful for testing your new players' understanding of the rule.

Ultimate Take Home Exam
Circle the correct answer or answers for each:

1. Play begins with a "pull" or throw-off. Each team lines up on opposite goal lines, the offense
must hold their relative position. When the receiving team is ready a player raises his/her hand
and the other team throws the disc. You may catch the pull or let it land. If it lands inbounds play
begins. If it lands out-of-bounds the receiving team may...
a) put the disc in play where it crossed the side line.
b) take the disc to the middle of the field corresponding to where it crossed the sideline.
c) ask for a re-throw.

2. If the pull lands in the end zone, the receiver may...
a) put the disc in play where s/he catches it or picks it up.
b) walk (or run) it straight up to the goal line.
c) put in play on the way to the goal line.
d) run to any point on the goal line.

3. After you catch the disc you...
a) may run as far as you like.
b) may take 4 steps.
c) must stop as soon as you can.

4. Traveling is...
a) when the receiver takes too many steps.
b) when the thrower lifts her/his pivot foot.
c) getting on a plane, train or automobile.

5. The stall count is...
a) 5 seconds b) 8 seconds c) 10 seconds d) 12 seconds

6. To "check" the disc means...
a) to see if it has any cracks or scratches.
b) to put it back in play after a foul or violation.
c) to throw it long for a goal

7. Play stops and every player freezes on a...
a) pick b) foul c) travel d) stall

8. The following violations result in the penalty of a turnover...
a) pick b) foul c) travel d) there are no penalties in ultimate

9. The person defending the "thrower" is the "marker". the marker may...
a) try to prevent a throw by using their hands and feet.
b) try to stall the thrower.
c) yell to their teammates when the disc is thrown.
d) get as close to the thrower as they like.
e) touch or bump the thrower.

10. A foul occurs when...
a) a defender makes contact with a receiver causing a drop.
b) when the maker bumps the thrower causing a bad throw.
c) when two people catch the disc at the same time.

11. A receiver whose first point of contact is on the sideline is...
a) inbounds b) out of bounds ("o.b.")

12. A receiver whose first point of contact is on the goal line has scored a goal.
a) true b) false

13. When a foul is called by the receiver and is uncontested....
a) it is a turnover.
b) it goes back to the thrower and play is restarted with a checked disc.
c) it stays with the receiver and play is restarted with a checked disc.

14. When a foul called by the receiver is contested...
a) it is a turnover. b) it goes back to the thrower and play is restarted with a checked disc.
c) it stays with the receiver and play is restarted with a checked disc.

15. A pass may go...
a) only forward. b) forward or sideways. c) any direction.

16. A turnover occurs when a pass is...
a) dropped b) thrown "o.b." c) intercepted d) blocked

17. If a "pick" is called and the disc is thrown and not caught, it is a turn over.
a) true b) false

18. If a "travel" is called and the disc is thrown and not caught, it is a turn over.
a) true b) false

19. Substitutions may only be made immediately after a point is scored or in the case of an injury.
a) true b) false

20. "spirit of the game" is:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

I was taking a look at the UPA youth outreach programme and indeed they are very structured. Of course, a large participation base will definitely help them. They are also selling their manual for $9.99.

For players who are interested in coaching and teaching the youths.
http://www.upa.org/juniors/skillsanddrills/skills_index.html

I am trying to get them to 'certify' my book so that I can coach coaches...

Fingers cross...

Volunteers needed for National Team

Dear Ultimate Players,

If you are interested to be part of the National Team, please send me an e-mail at sweenee2002@yahoo.com to indicate your interest. Please note that this is not an announcement for representing Singapore in the National Tournament. The head coach will be calling up the players at a later notice.

The following positions are for your considerations:
1. Physio
2. Fitness Coach
3. Coach for Offence and Defence
4. Team Manager
5. Travel Manager
6. Sponsorship Manager (Team Singapore)

There will be more positions on offer after the head coach and I discuss more in detail.

Vancouver 2008!

Questions from the community!

Some of you have shown interest in the area of the national team and have asked really good questions for us to ponder about.

1.National team is necessary for tournaments where u can only have 1 team / country and for tournaments leading up to these bigger tournaments - after that?
The national team is going to be the best team in Singapore. We are even looking at sending THE team (where most players training with the National team can play) for most of the tournament. We have to agree that not everyone is suitable to play competitive Ultimate. My view is that national team should be even more competitive than the club teams. That is how teams win tournament. What is happening is that the clubs are getting complacent due to lack of challenges, think FS, and in the long run, these clubs will not be sustainable. You have to agree with me that not every player in FS or Shiok are the cream in Singapore. This plan is not for 2008. It is going to start from 2008 till I retire.

2. Will this possibly lead to another elite team being formed? the only thing preventing that is prior club affiliations which, under the instances where national team has to play together for all tourneys, club affiliations might start to weaken. e.g. if a shiok player keeps training/competing with national team, besides coming for shiok training, social events etc, what makes the person a shiok player still?
Yes. We are going to form another elite team. However, notice that this is not another elite club team. It is the national team that flies the Singapore Flag. It is not made up of expats and it will be supported fully by UPA, spending under UPA account. :)

I understand that club affiliation will be weakened. But at the end of the day, both yourself and myself will be playing till we are 40. After 5 years, who is going to take over us? Without this opportunity, who is going to step up and lead Shiok. Without Shiok players going out to learn, who can lead higher level training for Shiok?

Training and Education Framework

Thank you to all who voted me as Director for Training and Education. I am really honour to take up this portfolio. For your info, this framework has been with me since last year. As I cannot commit to UPA due to several reasons, I have been storing this framework in my left brain. Since I am voted in this year, I might as well share and improve on this framework so that future members who took up this portfolio has something to work on to guide their decisions. There are many issues to address and they are pretty urgent.

UPA(S) has a long history in Singapore. However, I was shock when Wei Liang informed us that we are way behind other countries in terms of coaching and national team structure.

I am by no means a genius and I do not have answers to everything. I will do things which I deem right. It might be the wrong decision but I guess it is better than no action, right? Without the support of the players, I guess no matter how hard I push for things to happen, it will not be sustainable. I hope people who voted for me to continue and support me in my initiatives and I assure you that UPA training and education will be heading towards the correct direction.

1. Foundation
- pick ups
- workshops/clinics
- coaching certification/ coaching issues
- UPA leagues
- school league
- Hat tournament

2. Talent Identification
- Determine by National team coach/committee
- Clubs nomination
- National Team takes priority over clubs
- Identifying potential youth players and develop them under the club system

3. Talent Development
- Coaching methodology
- Monitoring of players
- Monitoring of fringe players
- Sharing from experience players
- Suggestions for national players to be certified as coaches

4. Sustainability
- financial assistance from SSC or UPA
- sponsorship
- Structure in every decision process/programme
- accountability
- National team identity
- Club identity should not over-weigh UPA identity

5. Global Platform
- Excellence in global platform
- Exposure to overseas/high level games

National Team vs Clubs

Which is more important? Pride for the country or self-centred within the club?

Personally, looking at the enthusiasm and support of the recent SEA games, I am pretty sure sport is still not the most important concerns for Singaporeans. The Singapore Sports Council is also very selective when it comes to financing NSAs. If you are performing, you are considered in the core or merit sport and the NSA(National Team) gets all the support required. If you are not performing, they will review your proposal whenever they like and maybe, they will give you some petty cash if they have excess.

Why is playing for the National team not as lucrative in Singapore?

Financial

• Players pay for their tickets, tournament fees, lodging, food, and many more? Why should I be training so hard, spending time gelling with my team mates and yet, I still need to fork out money to travel for a competition. Isn't this the job of the SSC or NSA? Going to Vancouver will cost at least $2500. Can our talented youths, whom some might be still studying afford this amount?

Recognition

• People ask what can I do for UPA(S)?
• I ask what can UPA(S) do for me?
• So what if we come back improving on the initial placing, say from 40 to 39 out of 40 teams!
• Are we given special recognition? Are the players appreciated in any way? I'm not saying we need to idolise these national players, but at least we appreciate them for the time, money and effort they have put in during the process

Ownership

• Who takes care of the National Team?
• Do people take control over the administrative of the team? Do people take time to learn and share their knowledge with the other players?
• Do they feel that they are part of the team? How about their clubs?

Competing priority

• Clubs vs National team training? Which one comes first?
• One cannot attend both or risk the possibility of burning out

Opportunity to play together as a team

• A quick fix would most likely be getting all the best players in Singapore and put them together to play as a team. You know this doesn't work. You cannot put Gerald and Lampard together. They get into each other's way!
• How many tournament can the national players commit and play together as a team?

These are some of the comments which one should consider before committing himself/herself to the national team. I agree that we are developing the structure and the situation is not perfect yet. I hope UPA can consider these suggestions when they are making their decisions. Personally, clubs is never as important as the National team. All players should work towards earning a place in the National Team. It is a motivation to play and train hard all year round. Right now, the clubs are aimless, going for overseas tournament with no recognition.

When certain clubs win, they broadcasted on website. When they lost, there is no news of them! This is such an irony!

Will you MARRY ME dear?

Dear,

It has been 7 years since we know each other. I remember we know each other through the Internet. And I would start a new life with you through the Internet as well. I would like to make use of this blog to declare my love for you.

You are indeed a very supportive and encouraging girlfriend. I would never have achieved so many things in life without you. Thank you for playing Ultimate too. I know that you do not like to run, but in order for you to spend more time with me, you decided to take the plunge. I am really grateful for all the sacrifices which you have done for me.

Regardless of the storm or happYness which awaits us, I hope you can spend the rest of your life with me. I will try my best to take care of you no matter what happens.

Will you marry me?

Swee Nee

Interview Questions (Ultimate Frisbee) for a Ngee Ann Polytechnic Magazine

1) When and how did you get started with Ultimate Frisbee?
I started playing Ultimate when I was pursuing my degree in the National Institute of Education, Physical Education and Sports Science in 2000. A lecturer, who was an avid player himself, introduced the game to my classmates through an elective module.

After the course, my classmates started tossing the disc during their break and I joined them without realizing that I will be addicted to this fun and intense sport. As interest level grew, one of my classmates started the inter-school league in NTU. I represented NIE and we are the defending champions for 5 years in a row.

2) Is the game easy to pick up, regardless of age or experience? Why?
This is the best newbie-friendly game you can find. Children as young as 10 years old can start playing Ultimate. They will be using slightly smaller disc and it weighs 165g. For the younger children, they can also use the foam Frisbee which prevents injury when they are hit by the disc. The tournament disc weighs 175g.

Pick-ups happen a few times a week and they are accessible to all players, ranging from beginners to veterans. Beginners can pick up a few tips on throwing from the veterans and in no time, they will be running around and chasing after the plastic disc.

Setting up the game is also very easy. All you need is 8 cones and it is game on. The game is played 7 a-sides. However, we can modify the size of the field to suit the number of players available. There are also many fun games which are related to Ultimate and these games can be played anywhere and anytime.

3) What do you like about Ultimate Frisbee?
It is intense, fun and a spectator sport. The layouts, finesse and agility of the players are the highlights of competitive game. It is very simple and accessible to pick up, but it takes years to understand the finer detail of the game. This sport involves a combination of skills related to soccer, netball and basketball. It is therefore, very easy for these players to pick up Ultimate as they can use their prior knowledge. This is a non-contact sport so new players will not be intimidated by veterans. Ultimate is also a non-contact sport. It is one of the unique sport which the men and women gets to play together at the same time.

This is the only game that is self-refereed. Even at the competitive level, there are only observers. The players involved in the dispute will try to resolve their issues between themselves. The observer will only come in if there is a controversial call. This is a great tool to teach character development in our pupils and teens. In the process of playing Ultimate, they find out how to relate to others, increase their self-awareness and make decisions in the game themselves.

This brings me to the most important element of the game, Spirit of the Game (SOTG). It is crucial for the players to adhere to this rule as any attempts to cheat reflect very badly on the player’s reputation.

I must emphasise the fact that despite the lack of supervision, in terms of the rules, players do not take advantage of this to cause harm to the opponents. Players know they are in control regardless of the situation, whether it is casual pick-ups or at finals in the regional tournament.

4) Any memorable encounters on the field? Describe.
I have made many friends after I played Ultimate. This is a social sport and a lot of incident happens out of the field. I guess if I did not pick up the sport, my social circle will continue to be small.

I remember there was this incident whereby the goal was not scored by someone throwing to the team mate. I actually ‘threw’ the goal using my leg. As I was running towards my endzone, my team mate mis-thrown the disc and it headed straight towards the ground. I was at the right place at the right time to kick the disc up into the end-zone. My team mate was very alert and caught the disc before anyone else!

The most memorable thing I have done in Ultimate is to publish a book titled ‘Disc In.
This book is supported by the Singapore Physical Education Association (SPEA) to increase the status of PE in Singapore and to create awareness in this sport. There are tips on how to improve one’s game and how PE teachers can teach this sport better. It also clears the misconception that Frisbee is not for dogs!

My next achievement was to have founded the Shiok, one of the club’s in the Singapore Ultimate scene. This club is 3 years old and our best achievement is to reach the Singapore Opens semi finals in 2006. We have also travel to Perth to represent Singapore in the World Ultimate Club Championships 2006. Currently we have about 35 players in the club and the number is rising steadily.

5) In your opinion, do you think that the Singapore Ultimate community is going strong?
Yes.

• More structure in the national team so that the level of Ultimate will improve
• Need to develop a system to tap on the youth talent and groom them to represent Singapore
  Develop a system to better manage the local clubs
  Increase number of players in the schools, JCs, Secondary and Primary schools
  Need to have a proper coaching structure so that more qualified coaches can teach in schools to create awareness of the game
  Increase the participation base of the sport
  Get sponsors to support youth players going overseas for tournament

6) What’s your best wish for Ultimate Frisbee?

• To be in the Olympics
• To keep the Self-referee rule in the game

7) How old is the youngest member in your team and also the oldest member?
Youngest used to start playing at 14. Now the youngest is 21.
Oldest is 39 yrs old.

My Views of UPA(S)'s Future

The research which I have conducted in 3 NSAs in Singapore indicates that participation base and achievement of the national team are the most important factors for a non-profit sports organisation to become an NSA. These are some of the recommandations for UPA(S) if it is going to be a sustainable non-profit sports organisation.

1. Strengthed ties and collaborations with UPA from other countries - learning from other organisation's best practices.

2. Developed a structured coaching systems which involves proper certification, systematic assessment and produce professional coaches who are really keen to promote the sport. The focus of the coaches should be sharing his/her knowledge of the game rather than making a profit out of this process.

3. Focus on Youth Ultimate - develop a structured coaching system for our youths to feed our national team.

4. Develop a group of core of players for the National Team. Provide platforms and support (financial, etc) when players travel overseas for tournament. This means working closely with SSC and ensures the orgnisation's processs are structured so that UPA(S) can become a National Sports Association. Less reliance on foreign players and focus on youth development. Quick fixes does not help an orgnisation in the long run.

5. Provide more platforms and opportunities for people to play and pick up the sport.

6. Increase effectiveness and credibility of leagues. The objectives must be clear, whether the league is for increasing participation base or be competitive. There is no such thing as friendly competition. You cannot cater to so many different groups of people.

7. Spirit of the Game (SOTG) is one of the compelling selling point of Ultimate. However, as the game gets more competitive, violations kills the game! The observer system is good but needs more serious refinement. There needs to be a plan for full implemenation or we will move towards umpires or referee system, which does not differentiate us from other sports.

8. Need for a more established sponsor.

9. Accessibility of fields

10. Membership for UPA(S) - a source of revenue (Minimal), tracking of the numbers of members(active)

11. A more structured club system - all clubs should be governed by the NSA to reduce issues such as poaching of players, conflict of interest with the National Team and allcation of resources such as fundings, players and representation during World Club Tournament.

BUZZ BULLETs Write Up

The article on Buzz Bullets is very true. There is no right solutions. Only committed players who spend their precious time mastering and perfecting a skill which may seem simple to others.

Fancy throws only make you look good. But simple, efficient and effective throws will get you a long way.

http://frisbeespew.com/

THE GREATEST

Another one of the greatest in Ultimate

The Greatest

This greatest was caught from a Hammer!

Ultimate "Super" Frisbee

Super heros in action. What can you ask for? Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geBAGXikblI

TIME article on Ultimate Frisbee

Well written.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,917480,00.html?iid=chix-sphere

Want your kids to be smart? Choose the right sport!

The Ultimate Mystery: Popular Sport Beats SATs at Ranking Universities Academically

A study being released September 1 of all private national universities shows that their ranking in Ultimate Frisbee edges out both SATs and grades as a predictor of academic performance! Those ranked in the top half for Ultimate have a graduation rate of over 85%, while those in the bottom half just 60%. The top seven have nearly as many Rhodes scholars and Marshall scholars as all others combined.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) August 31, 2006 -- Move over SATs. Incredibly, for the high-powered and high-priced private national universities, the best predictor of academic excellence is rank in a popular sport.

Whether measured by graduation rate or prestigious scholarships – the result is the same. What is this sport that mysteriously divines a university’s stature so precisely? It’s called Ultimate Frisbee, or more commonly just Ultimate. It is the fastest growing college sport and is already played interscholastically at over 500 colleges and universities. While wildly popular on campuses, relatively few in the wider world have even heard of it.

A study (slated for release September 1) by Dr. Michael Norden shows that among all 86 private national universities, those ranking in the top half for Ultimate have a graduation rate of over 85%, while those in the bottom half graduate just 60%. The difference in the totals of Rhodes scholars and Marshall scholars among their graduates during this decade is even more dramatic – 208 versus 15. (The odds of this happening by chance are truly infinitesimal). Moreover, the top ten schools based on Ultimate ranking have a slightly higher mean graduation rate and more winners of top scholarships than schools chosen by - not only SATs, but any standard metric including: grades, faculty resources, and financial resources.

This correlation between Ultimate and academics has previously been obscured by the fact that there are no separate divisions in Ultimate, so that smaller private universities are historically ranked together with public institutions up to an order of magnitude larger. The pattern emerges clearly when comparing, over an adequate time frame, institutions of similar size and demographics (i.e. private national universities). Study ranking is based simply on the total of Power Rating points over the past ten years (assigned by the Ultimate Players Association) for all of a school’s open-division club teams.

Ultimate is a largely student-run club sport with minimal institutional support. Why a game, requiring such all-around athleticism should so consistently be dominated by universities (and presumably students) with off-the-chart academic credentials, is truly a mystery. The top seven schools for ultimate have a mean graduation rate of 95% and nearly as many total Rhodes and Marshal scholars as all of the rest combined. The names speak for themselves: Stanford, Brown, Harvard, Tufts, Dartmouth, Yale, and Princeton.

Dr. Norden is a Seattle psychiatrist and author of the book Beyond Prozac (Harper Collin/1995). Jeremy Norden collaborated in the study - he is a member of the world champion US National Juniors Ultimate team.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/ultimate/ranking/prweb431459.htm