Serving the Community
USA Ultimate offers a wide variety of programs and services designed to stimulate the growth of ultimate in the United States, provide additional value to its members and help educate and inspire a community of volunteers that take on many different roles. From youth and women’s programs to certifications for coaches, observers and tournament directors, learn more about all the ways we’re serving the community and advancing the sport.
Youth Programs
Designed for kids ages 7-15, USA Ultimate’s Learn to Play program introduces and teaches ultimate to the next generation of ultimate players while simultaneously connecting them with local playing opportunities.
GUM is an outreach program designed to increase girls’ participation in ultimate while emphasizing the sport’s values like fair play, equity and inclusiveness to empower and support girls as both athletes and leaders in society.
Providing financial aid and memberships for underserved youth, Play it Forward gives kids an opportunity to play in events, become a member, and be a part of the ultimate community regardless of socioeconomic status.
Developed to support and sustain newly formed high school girls’ teams, this programs offers free equipment, uniforms and memberships and a coaching stipend, lowering some of the barriers to entry.
This program provides resources and materials to support the creation of new ultimate programs, teams and leagues. Priority is given to new youth and/or women’s programs or applicants representing affiliated disc organizations.
Talent ID Camps allow young athletes interested in trying out for the U-20 National Team a chance to meet and learn from National Team coaches and get used to what tryouts might be like.
College Programs
The ACE program recognizes and awards growth and sustainability of college ultimate programs based on their alignment with the three components of USA Ultimate’s mission: Character, Community and Competition.
The STAR program offers year-round learning opportunities designed specifically for college ultimate teams. Programming includes a series of expertly led online webinars and in-person skills clinics.
Designed to stimulate the growth and development of college women’s ultimate, this program lowers the financial barriers with free memberships and equipment, coaching support and uniform discounts.
Coaching Programs
With a goal of encouraging more people from underrepresented groups to take on leadership roles in their community, this program subsidizes many of the costs associated with becoming a certified coach for those with financial need. The Representation and Diversity (RAD) Grant is open to women, those who identify as non-binary, and those who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC).
Certifications
Ultimate coaches are critical to the sport’s growth and sustainability. This multi-faceted coaching program offers training and instruction to support and protect athletes and build a network of qualified coaches at a variety of levels.
Observing is a fantastic way to be a part of the ultimate community, stay fit, and remain involved in the sport. Offering training clinics and practical instruction, the path to becoming a certified observer is quick and easy.
The TDCP provides organizers with the education and tools necessary to run safe, high-quality tournaments for athletes and fans. Included is a manual full of guidance and best practices from the sport’s top experts.
Other
Download the USA Ultimate mobile app and choose from a variety of challenges. Simply test your skills and measure your progress or opt into the leaderboard to compete virtually against the rest of the world!
The Signature Series is a collection of commemorative discs that honor players, events or moments each year. Sales benefit The Ultimate Foundation and programs like Play it Forward and The Girls’ Ultimate Movement.
The Delrico Johnson Fund helps support USA Ultimate’s goal of increasing access and participation by contributing towards memberships and U.S. National Team tryout fees for players of color.
The goal of The Ultimate Foundation is to spread the joy of ultimate and the values of Spirit of the Game to all kids. The foundation works with local communities to reach girls and you, especially those from underserved and underrepresented groups.
Affiliates work in close partnership with USA Ultimate’s national headquarters to deliver ultimate programs and services to their local communities and help grow the sport at the grassroots level.
Learn more about USA Ultimate-approved discs and the multi-level certification process. Discs are evaluated based on various technical standards and flight characteristics.
Learn more about how USA Ultimate protects the health, safety and well-being of its members with various educational resources, requirements and training programs like SafeSport, criminal background checks and concussion training.
The annual conventions bring together organizers and coaches from across the country for an opportunity to connect and learn from each other, as well as expert speakers on a variety of topics. In 2023, coach sessions will be held in late November, and organizer sessions will be held February 1-3. All sessions will be held via Zoom.
