[TFDA] Today we started a youth league

T t-roy at mindspring.com
Sun Jun 22 00:46:43 EDT 2008


I know there's a lot going on this time of year with various club teams 
and leagues, but something extraordinary happened today that cannot be 
overlooked.

Today the TYUL league started, with 5th-8th graders meeting in Carrboro 
and 9th-12th graders meeting at Cardinal Gibbons.  Other than going to 
youth league meetings, I have no official position with this league, but 
I went out there to help set up and took a few minutes to teach one 7th 
grader how to pivot.  He caught on so fast!  I can't tell you how 
rewarding it is to see new players to the sport at that age.  There were 
no official games today, just instruction (every team has at least one 
coach!) and pickup, but one day that kid and many others like him will 
look back at what started today as their introduction into the sport of 
ultimate.

Now that we're doing this, it's hard to believe we didn't do it sooner.  
I talked to a few parents and they're thrilled that there's a place for 
kids to play organized ultimate.  I fully expect things to go well this 
year and see this league more than double in size next summer, or even 
expand into other seasons before then.  Next time you talk to Lindsey 
Hack, you need to compliment her work and thank her for turning this 
idea into reality.  It's long overdue for what we consider one of the 
leading communities of ultimate.  (Apologies and no disrespect to the 
various youth efforts the area has already seen)

While I'm at it, this is yet another reason we desperately need to get 
the Ultiplex going.  Make your donation today, and be a part of our next 
fundraiser.  In addition, parents of youth can become huge donors, so if 
you see the younger folk at pickup or on your league teams, show them 
the positive community respect and support that we're all capable of giving.

T





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