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DISC GOLF
Photo by: steVe briNster
Ontario Disc Golf Conference
Driving towards new changes
BY CHRISTOPHER LOWCOCK
ExECUTIVE DIRECTION, ODSA
The Ontario Disc Sports Association held the first ever ODSA Leadership
Conference over the dates of September 27th and 28th. All ODSA stakeholders were
invited to participate in order to review a substantial body of work designed to help
educate and strengthen member clubs on a number of levels focusing on operational
standards, while providing an in depth overview of ODSA’s progress, future plans and
initiatives.
The conference took place at the Holiday Inn with highlights on what’s expected and available to
Toronto Airport East. We were fortunate indeed to us. This was covered by an informative presentation
have received funding to underwrite the conference from Faye Blackwood, MHP Consultant for Disc and honor key volunteers from member clubs, whose
and delegate expenses through a grant for Sport Sports, who also provided overviews on coaching and efforts contribute so substantially to advancing our
Priority Funding (SPF), under an Active 2010 NCCP programs. Paul Jurbala from communityactive sports across the Province.
initiative through the Ministry of Health Promotion provided an overview of Long Term Athlete On Sunday, we banded together once again with
(MHP). The grant and conference focused on the Development (LTAD). We engaged the services of an objective to create content and initiatives for
MHP guidelines for base funding and associated Steve Indig, Centre for Sport & Law, who has done a resource binder tentatively named “DISCovery”
sports initiatives and programs. some outstanding work to create templates for the that would be distributed to school boards, parks
The conference goal was to bring together benefit of all member clubs covering all aspects of and recreation departments, camps, aboriginal
representatives from ODSA’s 25 member clubs risk management and corporate governance. Steve communities and member clubs throughout the
and other interested parties to gain exposure to the presented a review of 22 new documents that have province. The goal was to deliver a one-stop approach
key elements of sport management, what being a been created to better serve the needs of ODSA covering all aspects of disc sports including game
recognized PSO could offer, along with an overview moving forward, including a revised Constitution and
of funding opportunities available. Our mission was By-laws, while providing a simple and straightforward
to provide an overall road map to demonstrate and roadmap to protect ODSA’s members and member
ensure that the Ontario disc sports scene grows clubs. We were brought up-to-date on the activities
together and moves forward united by a strong and directions of our National Sports Organizations
voice, strengthened by a full understanding of the (NSO’s) through presentations by Danny Saunders,
opportunities and obligations ahead. We were Executive Director of the Canadian Ultimate Players
able to attract 58 enthusiastic delegates to attend Association (CUPA) and Brian Hoeniger, the
representing 22 organizations and 6 guest speakers International Director and former Executive Director
with demonstrated areas of expertise. of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).
The conference and its topics were delivered over The second half of Saturday focused on the ODSA.
two full days of activities and presentations, along A cornerstone of the program were the presentations
with an evening Awards Dinner and AGM. by our hired sports consultant, Judy Sutcliffe from
The program began by laying out the fundamentals The Sutcliffe Group, who delivered a comprehensive
s
s
of what it means to be fully recognized as a PSO, overview of ODSA’s Strategic, Operational and

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Revenue generation plans covering
the next 3 years. Separate Ultimate
tha
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and Disc Golf breakout sessions
ember
provided delegates with a forum
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y
:

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to specifically discuss and make
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o
ar
o
recommendations covering future
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initiatives, tournaments, etc.
s
a
D Moving forward, both groups, overviews and rules; resource lists providing contacts
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-
through the ODSA will embrace for Ultimate clubs and disc golf courses within
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more youth-centered initiatives. Ontario, LTAD overviews, coaching materials, etc. A
elk
D On Saturday evening, a sit down number of specialized sections will include materials

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dinner was held at the Doubletree on items such as how to set to up a team or league;
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s
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Hilton Toronto Airport and how to design and set up a disc golf course; how to
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provided an excellent opportunity start a non-profit association or club; how to attract
:
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b
y
to review highlights of ODSA’s and retain volunteers etc. Templates with sport
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o
achievements over the past year, overviews will be developed and made available
conduct the business of the AGM to help member clubs deal with pressing issues
Pho
30 Ultimate Canada Magazine — www.canadianultimate.com
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