Colorado Springs, Colo. and Hartford, Conn. (December 19, 2025) — USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States, and 2-4-1 Sports, a global nonprofit dedicated to making sports accessible through its award-winning sport sampling, announce a formal partnership aimed at bringing the sport of ultimate to thousands of young people across diverse communities.
Under a new partnership agreement, 2-4-1 Sports will integrate ultimate into its school-based and camp programming — introducing new players to the sport and creating pathways for continued engagement through USA Ultimate’s youth membership and collaboration with local disc organizations.
USA Ultimate will provide technical guidance, curriculum support, and promotional visibility, while endorsing 2-4-1’s model as a proven framework for long-term athlete development.
“Having recently testified before Congress on the state of youth sports in this country, it was reaffirming to see bipartisan acknowledgment that access, affordability, and where sports live matter just as much as competition,” said Steve Boyle, Executive Director of 2-4-1. “Our partnerships with national governing bodies like USA Fencing and now USA Ultimate validate the boots on the ground work we are doing every day in schools and communities. We love ultimate because it is incredibly accessible. Kids can play it almost anywhere, often with minimal equipment, and the sport naturally teaches problem solving, self regulation, and conflict resolution. It is one of the best entry points for helping kids fall in love with being active and connected through sport.”
The partnership also includes collaboration with the Ultimate Foundation, USA Ultimate’s philanthropic arm, to co-develop grant opportunities and expand access for underserved youth and girls nationwide.
“This partnership embodies our mission to grow the sport of ultimate and ensure that every child has the opportunity to play,” said Kevin Erlenbach, CEO of USA Ultimate. “2-4-1’s approach to sport sampling and social-emotional learning is a natural fit for ultimate’s emphasis on inclusivity, self-officiating, and community.”
Together, the organizations will identify pilot sites, co-host events, and create training resources that combine physical literacy, play, and ultimate to help children build lifelong healthy habits.
