UPA YOUTH ORGANIZERS
The Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council is a ongoing group that works directly with the Director of Youth Development in proposing policy and developing future youth programs. The members of the Youth Advisory Council meet annual in Boulder, CO and bring a diverse range of experiences and expertise to the table. While the group may only meet in person once a year, they provide continuous feedback and ideas and are in constant communication with each other, as well as their local communities.
The YAC consists of the Regional Youth Directors as well as 2 additional at-large seats. The current members are: Miranda Roth (Seattle, WA), Catherine Greenwald (Park City, UT), Ryan Thompson (Columbia, NJ), Luke Johnson (Chicago, IL), Lindsey Hack (Raleigh, NC) and David Vatz (Pittsburgh, PA).
The Regional Youth Directors
Regional Youth Directors are tasked with expanding youth ultimate in their respective regions, managing their Regional Championship tournament, and providing resources and assistance to the State Youth Coordinators. The RYDs also serve on the Youth Advisory Council and work closely with the Director of Youth Development.
This position, more than any other, relies heavily on the RYD to reach out to areas without a current structure for youth play and help to develop playing opportunities in the region. The RYD should be knowledgable of both the existing youth Ultimate structure but also be aware of and nurturing new areas to grow.
The Role of the Regional Youth Director (RYD)
Regional Director General Responsibilities:
- Grow at a rate of 1 new state tournament/SYC per region per year
- Grow at a rate of 1 new girls’ division in a state tournament per region per year
- Work with HQ to help manage the HS Regional Championship
- Coordinate outreach events, including coaching and observer clinics, camps, skills clinics
- Oversee the SYC's within the region (beginning 2010)
- Connect youth players and playing opportunities to the UPA
- Contact media outlets regarding local events
- Report to Youth Development Director
This position involves a several-weekend travel commitment, as well as phone conferences with local leagues and disc organizations to jump-start youth programs. A once-yearly meeting (phone or in-person) with all SYC in the region will also be necessary. The RYD will strive to make personal connections with ultimate-playing communities and motivated individuals across the region.
In states without a SYC or state tournament, the RYD will:
- Find where ultimate players live and play
- Liaise with the local disc organization or center of players
- Find a person willing to take charge of starting a local youth league
- Find a a qualified person to serve as the SYC
Overview for established states:
- Help the SYC carry out the their responsibilities in areas of the state without a strong youth presence or existing league
- Encourage the development of both HS leagues and youth club leagues in the same area
- Drive existing leagues to become affiliated with the UPA
Who are the Regional Youth Directors? Look here.
How are the Youth Regions divided? Check out the map.
State Youth Coordinators
The UPA State Youth Coordinator program runs alongside the UPA HS State Championship program. States that have UPA HS State Championships have UPA State Youth Coordinators (SYC) appointed at least six months prior to the State Championship.
Ideally, the UPA SYC is at the top of a state level organization that is structured for the growth of the youth division in the state. The SYCs serve as one of the UPA’s most important volunteers in the youth division as the SYC should be fully integrated with the state youth Ultimate scene (in a much greater way than the UPA’s College and Club sectional coordinators currently are).
The Role of the State Youth Coordinator (SYC)
State Youth Coordinator Outreach Responsibilities:
Work with local disc organizations, particularly in areas of state without established youth/high school activity to:
- Encourage organization to run youth/high school clinics or camps. SYC will provide UPA materials, access to low-cost supplies, etc. to assist these organizations.
- If scattered youth players exist (playing with adult leagues, for example) encourage formation of youth team or league.
- Advertise availability of “Start a New High School Team” kit when available (estimated availability winter 2010)
Work with teachers and physical educator specialists:
- Lead clinics for PE teachers/students or identify persons willing to do so. If local organizations are already engaged in this activity, explore how UPA can support efforts
- Provide information/supplies to interested individuals or schools, including: background, overview of competition today (to stimulate interest), simplified rules, suggested curricula, DVDs, alternative disc activities, leads to suppliers of affordable materials and discs appropriate for younger players (Kit estimated availability: Winter 2010)
- Determine date of state AHPERD conference, and coordinate possible registration for conference with Director of Youth Development. If appropriate, participate in conference or locate surrogate. Purpose of participation to distribute materials and, if available, advertise services such as clinics.
The State Youth Coordinator will also have Competition Responsibilities:
- Establish competition structure for HS State Championship (using UPA approved formats)
- Find TD/fields for HS State Championship
- Connect teams and interested players to leagues, coaches, and tournament opportunities
- Aggressively solicit teams for state tournaments and regional championships
- Answer questions for league organizers (or direct them to the RYD)
- Regularly communicate with the Regional Youth Director
- Work directly with the UPA Championship Series staff to run event
How do I contact a State Youth Coordinator? Look here.
