Following the announcement about the 2021 club season, we have developed this FAQ to help answer some obvious questions and illustrate the alternatives and communication timelines about any further updates. If you have any specific questions along the way that you think should be added to this, please email USA Ultimate’s club division manager, Carolina Gonzalez-Llanos at carolina@hq.usaultimate.org.
2021 Club Season FAQ
FAQ
How does USA Ultimate make its decisions about Returning to Play in the current COVID-19 environment?
USA Ultimate has regular check-ins with two key groups of advisors – its medical advisory working group, which consists of nine medical professionals (including an infectious disease expert), as well as its club division working group, which is made up of six player-elected representatives (two from each of the men’s, mixed and women’s division) – as well as it’s three national director volunteers.
These conversations have been not only about the current state of the pandemic and ultimate, but also about how the next few months (and years) will be be impacted by the events of the last 12 months.
USA Ultimate also reviews and factors in the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and communicates regularly with other amateur national governing bodies of sport to learn and adopt best practices. This breadth of feedback and information from medical experts, the ultimate community, health departments and sports organizations is used in our decision-making process.
Finally, in recognizing that conditions differ across local venues, USA Ultimate will also liaise with local partners such as disc organizations, facilities and municipalities for specific events.
How does equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) play into these decisions?
We recognize the inequities that are present in attempting to return to play after a pandemic that has disproportionately affected communities of color, and we have constantly been brainstorming ways to combat them. We also recognize the need to be flexible and adapt as the state of the pandemic (and vaccines and vaccinations) continues to evolve.
So what’s the plan for the club season this year?
On March 9, USA Ultimate published its “Plan A” for the 2021 club season after taking into account feedback from its medical advisory working group and club division working group. That said, we realize that the course of the pandemic could potentially impact Plan A. We’re cautiously optimistic that Plan A will move ahead as planned, but if not, we’ve developed the following alternative scenarios and communication timelines:
“Plan A” (Current Plan): Sanctioned regular season events may start in June; Postseason Championship Series will occur as planned.
- Events in July should focus primarily on local competition and implement safety precautions outlined in USA Ultimate’s Return to Play Guidelines.
- Major Triple Crown Tour (TCT) events will occur in July.
- Communication deadline: Teams will receive invites beginning sometime in mid-April.
“Plan B” Contingency: Sanctioned regular season events may start in July; Postseason Championship Series will occur as planned.
- Events in July should focus primarily on local competition and implement safety precautions outlined in USA Ultimate’s Return to Play Guidelines.
- Major (TCT) events will occur with decisions for each event being made no later than six weeks prior to the start of the tournament.
- Communication deadline: May 21
“Plan C” Contingency: Sanctioned regular season events may start in August; Series will occur as planned.
- Events in August should focus primarily on local competition
- and implement safety precautions outlined in USA Ultimate’s Return to Play Guidelines.
- Major TCT events will occur with decisions for each event being made no later than six weeks prior to the start of the tournament.
- These events may see an expanded invitations list.
- Communication deadline: June 19
“Plan D” Contingency: No regular season, including major TCT events. The Series will occur as planned.
- Communication deadline: July 31
Will there be any required events this season for teams in specific flights?
No.
Without any required events, will there be any byes to Regionals?
No. All teams will be required to start the postseason at Sectionals.
Will rankings be published and used for bid allocations this year?
No. In order to provide teams with flexibility in their schedule and how they choose to return to play, and in not wanting to put undue pressure on teams to compete in regular season events, there will be no rankings this season. Information on how bids will be allocated will be described in the competition guidelines.
How will bids be allocated for the Postseason Championship Series?
The club division working group and USA Ultimate staff are currently discussing and finalizing plans for bid allocations, which will be described in the competition guidelines set to be published in the coming weeks.
Will there be any roster flexibility this summer?
Yes, a lot. We understand that some teams may need more time to ramp up this summer and finalize their roster. Therefore, players will be allowed to switch rosters up until the Series roster deadline in late August.
How does this season impact flight assignments for 2022?
Results from the 2021 season will not have a direct impact on flights for the 2022 season. More information will be included in the competition guidelines set to be published in the coming weeks.
When is the next update?
Our next communication will be the competition guidelines. To opt in to receiving those via email, subscribe here.