Paul Yeah, I think our arguments are heading in different directions. I am really interested in how the profile of women players can be raised; particularly in student ultimate simply because that is where the majority of beginners come from. I think that there is a lot of feeling of discontentment on the part of women that are trying to play with and against men. That is why I suggested the possibility of student co-ed, as an idea only. I have been told that in Australia, all of the tournaments apart from nationals are co-ed and that that system is successful. I wanted to see what people thought of this. I've just been trying to think of ways in which women can be encouraged to keep playing ultimate and working against factors that discourage them from playing.
Leanne -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 31 October 2001 15:06 To: Deffley Leanne Subject: RE: women Leanne, My email was intended to discuss the point that it is often seen that men don't want to pass to women, because they think they'll either drop the disc or throw it away. These points can only be addressed by increasing the skill level, they obviously have nothing to do with with physical size and shape which is not, and can not be, disputed. The game of ultimate will not improve significantly if all members of the game who wish to play at a high level don't put in the levels of effort which is required. This doesn't only relate to women, but to me n as well. Imagine if the Players of Clapham, Chevy, Leeds, Fusion, Druids etc... didn't go out and practice until their arms were tired how good they'd be. The simple answer is S*�t. We can't expect ot have HIGH levels of compertition if those taking part only percive the sport as a casual pass time. If this is how you want to play the sport then there ARE tournaments which you can take part in. If you want to play at the TOP levels then there needs to be very large levels of commitmemnt. For the student communities the top levels are their National(Indoor and Outdoor), and the open level Tour and Nations again. You can't make the sport better by saying that we have to force women to play in these tournaments. Over time as the commitement becomes larger then hopefully people will realise that co-ed is the way forward and the popularity of these event will increase and maybe overshadow the Open series. It will however take time and effort. A few more thoughts. Paul Eastman From: Deffley Leanne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 31/10/2001 14:42 Deffley Leanne To: Paul Eastman-PD/PGI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: women 31/10/2001 14:42 I am a bit surprised by this email!! We DEFINITELY need to encourage beginners especially but players of all levels to practise outside training sessions if they want to improve their playing of the sport. That is obviously natural. However, I wouldn't simply account 'women not practising' as the reason for the difference in skill level between men and women. There are BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS physical differences between men and women. I consider myself a competent ultimate player but even now, playing against male beginners of this sport I can be beaten to the disc due to the unavoidable height, strength and speed differences between men and women. I don't think that women are discouraged to play ultimate because the men have better disc skills. I think the physical differences lead to men being naturally 'stronger' players. This cannot be avoided - it is the way we were made after all! However, by having to include female players on a team and enabling a system where less confident women play against other women so actually STAND A CHANCE of getting to the disc they can then improve and gain confidence. After all, practice, practice and more practice isn't going to turn me into a man is it? (sorry - no need for that really!!) Replies/thoughts/discussions welcome!! Leanne -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 31 October 2001 09:05 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: re: women Hi BD, I have just a couple of points which I think might help, well at least they should be taken into consideration. There is quite a simple reason why generally the skill level of the men who compete is higher than that of the women who compete. And please note the word general in the previous line. When men start to learn to play those who become good work harder than women who start at the same time. From my experince you will often find guys who have just started out in the park throwing around away from practice, you will rarley find the women doing the same! Now, I think the way to narrow the skill gap is encourage women to put as much effort in, I know that the culture surrounding sport is quite different for men and women, but if everyone is to compete at the same level, then everyone has to put in the same effort! Those who are now envolved in student ultimate and have a new crop of women to teach should encourage them to take what they've been tought and practice, practice, practice! Then we can see what most of us want. More Co-ed ultimate of the standard which people want to play and watch. Just a few thoughts, Paul Eastman
