The Creation of a Much- needed PTSO in Alberta
Alberta By: Robyn Auld
A strong network of provincial and territorial sport organizations (PTSO) is the backbone of a thriving national sport program, and yet the province of Alberta has struggled over the years to field a PTSO player to join the Ultimate Canada team. With two strong and independent leagues running in Edmonton and Calgary, it has been challenging to demonstrate the need for a provincial governing body. It has also been difficult to find people that have connections in both cities, who were willing to give their time and effort to get a new organization off the ground.
However, after years of collective procrastination and guilt, the wheels of progress were put in motion. The first real instigator was that several smaller clubs began popping up around the province and making their voices heard. Because of social media, people could see that Lethbridge players were getting together regularly, and thanks to Medicine Hat’s new website, it was obvious things were happening there too. It quickly became apparent that Edmonton and Calgary were not the only game in town. A broader, organizing network was needed to facilitate and support all Ultimate players across the province.
In autumn of 2013, the Ultimate Canada Conference was held in Calgary, and many representatives from around the province were able to attend and facilitate a meeting. Edmonton and Calgary were asked to put their resources and their money on the table to make this thing happen.... and they did. Despite initial enthusiasm, many of the people who attended were already stretched thin and progress was slow. With the threat of failure as incentive, a few community members drafted some bylaws and a proposed budget. With the help of volunteers and
14 Ultimate Canada Magazine -
www.canadianultimate.com
employees, a call for board members was distributed in clubs across the province. In the end, the group managed to find a diverse group of enthusiastic organizers from Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Spruce Grove to sit on the board. The bylaws were put forth to Alberta Registries and although the first draft was rejected (the group was assured they almost always are), a second draft has been submitted. It is anticipated that Alberta Ultimate to be official by the end of the year.
Like many other PTSOs across the country, Alberta Ultimate will focus on cross provincial coaching and training initiatives, sport promotion, collection of Ultimate Canada dues and sanctioning of regional competition. This will relieve local organizations of administrative burden while providing opportunities for smaller clubs and organizations to receive the same coaching training as larger cities. This, we hope, will translate to more Ultimate players. As the province sees an increase in the number of competitively focused teams in Alberta, a governing organization will also provide a structured system for regional competition, aimed at replacing “Game on Sunday, 2:30ish at the park. Winner goes to Nationals.”
Financially, one of the major benefits of becoming a provincial sport body in Alberta is the access to provincial sport funding. In three years, Alberta Ultimate will become eligible to apply for athlete and program funding from a provincial pot of nearly $8 million. Not only is the formation of this PTSO a huge boost for Ultimate in Alberta, but also Alberta Ultimate will have added a missing piece of the puzzle for Ultimate Canada to become a nationally recognized sport organization.
Regional Update
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37