Retention and Improvement of Women in Coed Leagues and Clubs

1. Retention and Improvement of Women in Coed Leagues and Clubs Andrea Rossillon Birmingham Ultimate Disc Association

2. More men need more women • BUDA runs 5/2 men/women coed leagues • Best way to increase individual play time: add teams • Women of reliable attendance are limiting factor on number of teams • 3 women per team in the winter • 4-5 in the summer

3. The women problem • From 2000-2002, women’s numbers had declined in BUDA • Attrition of older women through marriage, moving away, injury, and children • Few women between 24-28 • Only two local college-aged women (Tuscaloosa) • Viability of summer and winter leagues at risk

4. The opportunity • Starting in 2003, BUDA membership increased • From 6 to 8 teams during 2003-2004 Winter League • From 10 to 14 teams during 2004 Summer League • Women’s 2004 SL registration increased to 80 • 30 brand new non-collegiate • 10 collegiate and high school • Remaining players of 1-15 years experience • Huntsville, Nashville saw similar trends

5. Why new women wouldn’t come back: (1) Issues with self • New women often not athletes • Many had not played sports in school • Unfamiliar with demands and stresses of team play • Athletic, competitive women frustrated • Lack of rapid improvement in this new sport • Contradictory advice from different sources • Criticisms, frustrations taken personally

6. (2) Issues with team • Teammates reinforced negative behavior • Low expectations of new players obvious • Multiple mistakes = invisibility on the field • Male/female communication problems • Men can ignore or ask little of women players • Women can deal poorly with abrupt criticism • Competitive veterans a little too intense • New players ignorant of veterans’ years of investment • Summer league is for fun! • Veteran women just as bad as the men

7. Jumping on the opportunity:Organizing the clinics • Carrie Plummer of Nashville’s Flo contacted Tennessee, Alabama Ultimate women • Recognized dearth of women’s summer play in Southeast • Asked about previous Birmingham women’s clinics • Wanted to teach her players and introduce them to travel

8. Organizing the clinics (cont’d) “If we really wanted to get badass about it, we could schedule one in a different city every 2-3 weeks and have a circuit: ‘The Southeastern Ladies' Ultimate Clinic Series’. That way everyone would have at least one in their hometown, and would have opportunities to travel (isn't traveling fun? wouldn't you want to do it more? how about this fall for sectionals?), and bring all of us in closer contact with each other.“You know, practice, play, cookout at someone's house.” • Birmingham had hosted previous women’s clinics • Intended to encourage women’s play and friendship • Attended by Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa players

9. Geographic advantages • Tuscaloosa to Louisville/ Lexington: 7 hours • Knoxville to Memphis: 5 hours

10. 2004 Southern Women’s Summer Ultimate Tour • Free weekends were pinpointed • No tournaments, league play, or weddings • 3 cities hosted • Birmingham, June 19 • Nashville, July 24 • Huntsville, August 21 • Clinics were aimed at players with 0-3 years’ experience • First clinic: basic skills, game theory, scrimmage • Second clinic: drills, hat tournament • Third clinic: Some drills, club team play

11. Spreading the word • Clinics were widely advertised • UPA Tournament page • Electronic mailing lists • Word of mouth (most effective!!) • Clubs in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee all contacted • Birmingham, Huntsville • Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville • Louisville, Lexington

12. How we determined our syllabi Women were asked to register for clinics • City of play • Level of experience • “Please briefly describe a skill or play you'd like to learn at this women's clinic” Referenced UPA’s “Organizing a women’s clinic” • Stations • Plenty of scrimmage time Each clinic built on the previous clinic’s lessons

13. Did it work? Post-clinic responses • 20-30 women attended each clinic • 23 responded to a post-series survey • Each survey respondent interested in participating in future clinics • Other cities in LA, TN, and KY interested in hosting clinics in 2005

14. “What did you like about the clinics?” • From Birmingham: • “Having experienced players give me advice in a non-competitive kind of environment.” • “Different drills sessions so each player could pick the drill that would be most beneficial to her.” • From Nashville: • “Camaraderie with other women. I was able to actually talk with some of the women I had played against in tournaments.” • “Waterfall drill showed how stacking and cutting really work, awesome cookout and fellowship afterwards.” • From Huntsville: • “Personal attention/playing tips and open play.” • “Good turnout. Well planned. Mixed up teams, then played against each other as our club teams. Well thought-out drills given the number of girls.”

15. “What influenced your decision to attend the clinic(s)?” Interested in learning more about the game Wanted to meet and play with other women Wanted more play time/disc time Interested in traveling for ultimate Other women players supported/urged my attendance Male players supported/urged my attendance Other

16. “(g) Other” • From a player of 6 years’ experience, and married to another player: “[I] wanted to improve my skills. It’s more difficult for me to admit a weakness in one particular part of the game (Defense, Zone Offense, The Wall/Clam, Horo stack) with men. “With women’s clinics, even veteran players have something to learn.”

17. Immediate conclusions • Interacting with other women big motivation to play more often • Clinic participants enjoyed the emphasis on teaching • Learning a little made them hungry to learn more • Veteran players benefited as well as new players • Women got to know each other on and off the field • New plays and perspectives were offered • Confidence improved among all players

18. How has the women’s game been affected? • 6 new women played with Rhythm Method at sectionals • At least 4 of these attended the clinics • Women’s captain Erin Thacker sees improved confidence and aggressiveness on the field • More women attending weekly pick-up • Better understanding of game flow and team play • Bringing that knowledge and experience to coed play

19. Otherobservations • New women have caught the bug • They are teaching (telling?) each other how to play at practice • Could be a good or bad thing • During this winter, women’s club teams in the Southeast are “challenging” each other • New Orleans and Birmingham currently involved in a challenge • Challenge matches emphasize play and are easier to organize than clinics or tournaments • “Challenges” intended to maintain the momentum of women’s play

20. Have the results affected coed league play?The numbers: • 44 women registered for Winter League • 28 veteran players • 6 new summer league players • 8 teams for 134 men • 16-17 men per team • 5-6 women per team • Still not quite enough women for 10 teams • Second year of Winter League with 8 teams • Better retention data will come with Summer League 2005

21. The quality: • 4-year player (and self-described slow runner) Lilla Hood Smith • At the clinics, she met players new to her, who told her that because they weren’t fast, they had learned to handle • Now, if the disc turns over near her, she’ll pick it up rather than running long • Cites clinics for demonstrating ways to minimize disadvantages on the field • Outgoing BUDA president Paul Dorsey • Sees most dramatic differences with women of 1-2 years experience • Says skills and intensity very improved

22. Conclusions • The best way to grow a coed league is to set aside time for women’s-only instruction and play • Teach and learn in a non-competitive atmosphere • Reduce isolation among women players • Scrimmage a lot to implement the new lessons • Increased disc time and greater game experience • Retention rates of new women unknowable before SL 2005 data • Anecdotal evidence supports benefits of clinics for coed play • New and experienced women alike express greater confidence in their right to the disc • Greater confidence demands greater respect from coed teammates • As men give greater respect, women have more fun and remain active in coed play • Play opportunities and quality increase for everyone