Strategy - Support and Strengthen Leagues with a Central Hub of Tools, Training and Networking

Based on market research released by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, there are an estimated 800,000 people who play Ultimate in the US who are not UPA members. Many of these players are getting their needs met through their local league system rather than the UPA. In order for the UPA to remain relevant and support the growth of Ultimate at all levels, the UPA will need to strengthen its relationship with league organizers. But in order to do this, the  UPA will need to provide different services/products to organizers who are at different levels of organizational maturity.

Tactic: Increase level of awareness about what the UPA currently offers to leagues. A series of proactive communication channels will be developed and implemented including expansion of the UPA Enews to and biannual electronic communication with League organizers, and increased outreach by UPA Board members.

Tactic: Become the hub for league best practices, peer-to-peer exchange of ideas, and disseminating valued resources. The UPA will create an online forum for league organizers and develop templates, tools and guidelines for administrative functions. League organizers conference will be hosted biennially.

Tactic: Provide support to local organizers through national advocacy and research of the sport in general. UPA will conduct demographic and other research on a national basis in order to assist local organizers in securing fields, recruiting players, and developing relationships with local organizational partners. Opportunities will be explored for regional staffing support. 

Tactic: Facilitate ongoing structured interaction between UPA and league leaders.  A representative group will be established to channel constructive interaction. This will be an evaluation mechanism to ensure that League support efforts are not just one-time, but are fully integrated into UPA core business practices.

Tactic: Research and develop a league affiliate model. The concept of UPA/league affiliation has been discussed many times. The UPA will commit resources to identify a model for creating and maintaining a formalized and mutually beneficial relationship between the UPA and local leagues.