AFDA- Australian Flying Disc Association Incorporated

3 Year Plan (2001-2004)

This document provides a strategy for our association with specific goals to focus on in the three years to 2004. It is to be used as a working document with progressive performance indicators for each year. There is also a brief summary of the current state of the association and the main sport it represents- Ultimate Frisbee.

Abbreviations Used

SOTG- Spirit of the Game

AUSF- Australian University Sporting Federation

WFDF- World Flying Disc Federation

AIS- Australian Institute of Sport

NCAS- National Coaching Accreditation Scheme

AFDA Vision

“To improve the well-being of Australians through participation in Ultimate Frisbee”

AFDA Goals

to promote participation in Ultimate Frisbee.
to retain the 'Spirit of the game' as the core motivation of the sport.
achieve quality service to members via a well-organized, financially sound organization.
to facilitate the development of players to elite level.

Current position of the AFDA and Australian Ultimate in 2000

The AFDA comprises an Executive (president, treasurer, secretary), and an Executive Committee which includes the presidents and treasurers of the state associations. Other active positions include Chairman of Selectors, Manager of Sponsorship and Events, Universities Co-ordinator, Newsletter Editor, Insurance Officer, Webmaster and Database Manager. The only paid positions are currently the Newsletter Editor (paid per issue) and the Manager of Sponsorship and events (paid by commission).

The annual turnover of the AFDA is approximately $20 000, with accounts independently audited from 1996-2000. Membership fees are currently $40/annum, which covers public and professional liability, personal accident insurance, WFDF fees, newsletters and administration fees.

The AFDA currently has 1000 active members, who compete in ultimate within organized leagues and/or at tournaments. New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory all have associations affiliated with the AFDA. Fledgling clubs also exist in Tasmania and South Australia. Each state association runs AFDA-sanctioned seasonal leagues and tournaments within major cities. There are approximately 80 teams within leagues and 11 perennial tournaments including separate Nationals and Mixed (co-ed) National Championships.

Universities continue to be the best recruitment source for new members. In recognition of this, AUSF has included Ultimate Frisbee as an intervarsity sport, and this year narrowly missed inclusion into the Australian University Games for 2001. Ultimate is a regular sport in 9 high schools in Sydney, as well as selected schools in Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.

The AFDA has discount deals with REBEL Sport and Corporate Traveller. In conjunction with toy company Funtastic, AFDA organize ultimate demonstration games at One Summer of Sport Carnivals; during 1999/2000, these demonstrations raised $8100 for AFDA and contributing state associations.

In International competition, Australia sent Open and Women division teams to World Ultimate Championships that were held in Heilbronn, Germany, 5-12th August 2000. This is the first year we have appointed a team manager (airfare paid by the players) to handle the financial and administrative affairs of the players. Both squads achieved 6th place, the equal highest place for an Australian Open team (the women were 4th in 1992). Spirit of the Game (SOTG) results were 1st for Women and 3rd for Open, which were also very impressive.

The AFDA received 5 Australian Sports Medals that were duly awarded in August 2000 to Brian Allen, Sally Basten, Jim Garvey, Simon Wood and Andrew Morris for outstanding achievement and contribution to disc sports. We also recognize achievement in developing the sport through the annual Rob Hancock Award (including AFDA life membership), voted by the AFDA executive. In 2000 Johnathan Potts and Tom Brennan shared the award.

Organisational Chart for AFDA

Key Changes needed between 2001 and 2004

The following four areas are recognized as underdeveloped and therefore targeted towards achieving our goals for the next 3 years, and contributing to the vision for the AFDA. In terms of overall growth of membership, our target for is for 100% increase to 2000 members by 2004, although direct recruitment is not covered in this plan.

Ultimate in schools

Although school programs exist, these have been dependant on Ultimate-playing teachers or available volunteers to help run them- typically with no follow up action. There are no coaching courses, lesson plans or kits that non-Ultimate playing teachers can use to facilitate regular Ultimate sessions without assistance. With the limited public image of Ultimate there is also no perceived incentive for school children to pursue Ultimate beyond the school programs.

Plan of action:

create a new position in AFDA to promote junior/school development.
develop school lesson plans and instructional video.
develop Ultimate Kits for schools, containing discs, rulebook, instructional video and lesson plans.
seek co-funding for Ultimate kits via disc companies and Active Australia.
co-ordinate interschool competition, or perhaps a separate weekly league competition.
have qualified Ultimate coaches (see 4. below).
send a competitive Junior Open and Women's team to Worlds 2004.

Spirit of the game (SOTG)

As a consequence of being a sport without referees at any level, Ultimate is more advanced than most other sports in encouraging sportsmanship and fair play. AFDA recognizes this as one of the main strengths of the sport and is aware of the importance of promoting awareness these ideals, especially to new members. Although it is hoped that increased awareness will maintain or lead to improved SOTG, practical contingency for poor SOTG must be available for all AFDA sanctioned events.

Plan of action:

include SOTG awareness into school lesson plans and coaching sessions.
introduce WFDF SOTG scoring system at Australian tournaments.
publish SOTG scores with overall scores from each tournament to increase SOTG awareness.
allow tournament and league organizers a consistent recourse for cases of poor SOTG that require action.
ensure selection policies for national and club teams include SOTG as a selection criterion.

Improving the ability of the AFDA to deliver efficient services to members

The availability of AFDA administrative volunteers has not kept pace with the growth of the sport in Australia. As a consequence the existing administrators have been overworked and service to members has been compromised. The AFDA needs a better membership management system, and more volunteers with more clearly defined roles.

Plan of action:

hold a national planning meeting of AFDA Executive members
create and appoint AFDA positions for webmaster and database administrator.
purchase and use SportNet as the AFDA member database.
ensure appropriate access to database for all administrators and members.
ensure all AFDA positions are clearly defined, focused and fulfilling.

Development of players

Australia's performance at World Championships can be enhanced through better training and the availability of a larger player-base of quality athletes. Our plan for change involves better preparation for national teams for Worlds 2004, as well as ensuring longer-term growth and quality of players through better training from qualified coaches. A definitive measure of success will be Australia’s inclusion in World Games 2005. The top six countries from World Championships in 2004 qualify for this event, and results are drawn from each countries best three divisions. Having a Co-ed division is mandatory for qualification, so we are also aiming to send our first Australian Co-ed team to Worlds 2004.

Plan of Action:

a. Coaching accreditation

create and appoint AFDA position for Coaching Director.
establish a design committee to create NCAS courses, updating and mentoring programs.
apply and gain NCAS accreditation.
appoint state and regional coaching directors.

b. Worlds 2004:

review of Worlds 2000 campaign and selection policy.
organize at least one national training camp at the AIS facilities in Canberra.
send the first Australian Co-ed and Juniors teams to Worlds 2004.
aim to qualify for World Games 2005.

Key outcomes by 2004

Ultimate in schools

Ultimate becomes an established secondary school sport in NSW, WA, Queensland, ACT and Victoria.
there is a significant flow of players from secondary school to league/tournament competition.
AFDA sends competitive Junior Open and Women's team to Worlds 2004.

Spirit of the game

SOTG continues to be the core motivation for the sport.
AFDA sanctioned tournaments use SOTG scoring system.
AFDA sanctioned tournaments use approved protocols for misconduct.

Efficiency of AFDA

SportNet in active use by all administrators and most members.
is up to date and functional.
fulfilled and active webmaster and database administrator positions.
National planning meetings held.

Player Development

Ultimate has practicing qualified coaches.
National teams train and learn at the AIS.
Australia sends a competitive Co-ed team to Worlds 2004.
Australia qualifies for World Games 2005.

AFDA projected budget for 2001 (calendar year)

CURRENT BALANCE (31/12/2000)$9765.50

INCOME

sponsorship$600.00

AFDA fees:

NSWFDA$8000.00

QUDA$4000.00

ACTUA$4000.00

VFDA$3000.00

WAFDA$2000.00

event fees$200.00

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total$21800.00

EXPENSES

sponsorship commission$300.00

insurance$15500.00

web site$200.00

WFDF fees$300.00

AFDA cards $300.00

database$165.00

newsletter editor$2800.00

newsletter printing$3600.00

Aussport listing$55.00

postage$400.00

school ultimate kits$250.00

coaching course review$542.00

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total$24412.00

CLOSING BALANCE$7208.50

Key Performance Indicators to 2004

Year

/ 1. Ultimate in schools / 2. Spirit of the game / 3. Efficiency of AFDA / 4. Player Development
Elite Development / Coaching
2001 /

appointment of Juniors Co-ordinator
development of Ultimate Kits, including lesson plans for teachers
# of kits available for Ultimate kits

# of events using WFDF spirit scoring
# of event organisers using AFDA ‘poor spirit’ measures
feedback from members

appointment of webmaster, database manager.
SportNet becomes functioning member database
Hold a national planning meeting of AFDA executive

Worlds 2000 campaign reviewed and necessary changes made to selection policy and training program

appointment of coaching director
design committee created
short program draft completed

2002 /

# of schools with Ultimate programs
# of members gained through schools

# of events using WFDF spirit scoring
# of event organisers using AFDA ‘poor spirit’ measures
feedback from members

database is current and functional
web site is current and functional
feedback from members
Hold national planning meeting
Hold Skills Workshops for AFDA Executive members

review and record of player performances at World Clubs 2002

submission of coaching application
approval of course

2003 /

# of schools with Ultimate programs
# of members gained through schools
selection and training of national junior teams

# of events using WFDF spirit scoring
# of event organisers using AFDA ‘poor spirit’ measures
feedback from members

database is current and functional
web site is current and functional
feedback from members
Hold national planning meeting
Hold Skills Workshops for AFDA Executive members
Hold State Members skills workshops

appointment of new selection committee

delivery of training program
# of qualified presenters

2004 /

competitive juniors teams at Worlds 2004
# of schools with Ultimate programs
# of members gained through schools

# of events using WFDF spirit scoring
# of event organisers using AFDA ‘poor spirit’ measures
feedback from members

database is current and functional
web site is current and functional
feedback from members

competitive co-ed team at Worlds 2004
national team at AIS camp
Australia qualifies for World Games 2005

# of practicing qualified coaches
member feedback