April 4, 2014 by Charlie Eisenhood in Livewire, News with 2 comments
Mike Lovinguth, the Manager of Education and Youth programs at USA Ultimate, sent this letter to Ultiworld about the vision and purpose of the new Girls Ultimate Movement that we published about yesterday.
Dear Ultiworld,
First off, I would like to extend a ‘thank you’ to Henry McKenna and Charlie Eisenhood for the recent coverage of the Girls’ Ultimate Movement (GUM). Heather Ann, Zara and I are really excited for the potential this project has to increase girls’ participation – hopefully to levels equal to the current popularity among boys.
Here is, in very plain terms, why USA Ultimate, Heather Ann, Zara and I started GUM, and what we want it to achieve:
1. We want to brainstorm ideas and create a list of 25 programs, policies, or infrastructure components that will increase girls’ participation in ultimate. We intend to release this list at the US Open Championships & Convention this summer.
2. We want to use this list to plan, prioritize, and budget for implementation beginning in the fall of 2014. Programs will be slated for future years in a strategic fashion.
3. We want to implement and evaluate the effectiveness these programs have on increasing girls’ playing opportunities.
I’m very fortunate to work with Zara and Heather Ann. Both have been an inspiration in their commitment to ultimate for girls and boys grades pre-K-12. I’m very excited that we have the opportunity to work with the five young women heading the focus groups and all of the leaders who have agreed to serve on those groups.
We will need the communities help to make these proposals a reality. I invite you to follow along at our Facebook group.
Let’s get the GUM sticking to everyone.
Sincerely,
Mike Lovinguth
Manager, Education & Youth Programs, USA Ultimate
