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Having followed the discussion on women in ultimate
over the last couple of days, I think its now my turn to have my
say.
Firstly, a couple of points -
1. the views of experienced women are important -
just because we're not at uni any more doesn't mean we don't know what its like
- after all, we're the ones who have found a way to stay in the
sport.
2. the issue isn't whether or not women and men can
compete together - its about how to find and retain female players.
I am a strong advocate of the theory that
providing separate practices for women is the best way to develop skills and
confidence. Players can then take these into their respective teams,
whether their preference is women's, mixed or open ultimate.
When someone chooses to participate in a group
activity, or a team sport, they want to feel a part of that group - in ultimate
terms, if an inexperienced player (male or female) doesn't feel part of their
team, its understandable if they do not want to carry on.
To achieve success in ultimate, and by success I
mean fulfilling your own personal aims (whatever they may be), can be hard
work. Obviously, perserverence (and stubbornness!) are necessary, but it
is important to provide the framework within which individual aims can be
achieved.
As to whether or not student ultimate should have a
gender split enforced, I would have to say no.
I think that encouraging more student women's
teams would have a more positive effect - on keeping women in the sport while at
uni.
Its already been said, but school is the place to
recruit new players.
One of the main reasons I am standing for a
position on the Board is to concentrate on the development aspects of the
sport. Over the last 3 years (the last time we had an involved discussion
on britdisc on women in ultimate) the standard and numbers of female players
have definitely increased - and I personally, as an experienced player, find it
very satisfying.
Laura Pearce
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