From britdisc-owner@csv.warwick.ac.uk  Thu Apr 30 14:13:09 1998
Received: (from daemon@localhost)
	by pansy.csv.warwick.ac.uk (8.8.7/8.8.8) id NAA25529
	for britdisc-outgoing; Thu, 30 Apr 1998 13:52:12 +0100 (BST)
Received: from epunix.biols.susx.ac.uk (root@epunix.biols.susx.ac.uk [139.184.162.2])
	by pansy.csv.warwick.ac.uk (8.8.7/8.8.8) with SMTP id NAA25517
	for <britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk>; Thu, 30 Apr 1998 13:52:11 +0100 (BST)
Received: from localhost (2599 bytes) by epunix.biols.susx.ac.uk
	via sendmail with P:stdio/R:acukbind/T:smtp
	(sender: <kevinbr>) (ident <kevinbr> using unix)
	id <m0yUso6-000BBrC@epunix.biols.susx.ac.uk>
	for <britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk>; Thu, 30 Apr 1998 13:51:22 +0100 ( BST)
	(Smail-3.2.0.101 1997-Dec-17 #10 built 1998-Feb-1)
Message-Id: <m0yUso6-000BBrC@epunix.biols.susx.ac.uk>
From: kevinbr@biols.susx.ac.uk (Kevin Brooks)
Subject: Re: Women's Ultimate
To: DBiag@aol.com (D Biag)
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 13:51:22 +0100 ( BST)
Cc: britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk
In-Reply-To: <400fd62.354857f9@aol.com> from "D Biag" at Apr 30, 98 06:52:40 am
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20]
Content-Type: text
Sender: owner-britdisc@warwick.ac.uk
Precedence: bulk


I've been meaning to keep my nose out of this business, being of the
wrong genital group, and all that, but since there have been so many
other men contribute, I thought I'd stick my oar in.

Despite differing views on how to implement short term strategies for
developing women's ultimate, it seems that we're all agreed that we need
to coax more women into the sport, for the sake of long term development.
Personally I think that the universities are the perfect place to start.
 
I agree with Wee Jim that the mixed aspect is a persuasive factor at
Freshers' Fair, but all too often the novice women that we have managed
to recruit drop out after a few practices due to being intimidated by
the men. I have spoken to a number of female players who would relish
the opportunity to practice and play in a male-free environment, and if
this is what they want, then it should surely be encouraged. 

I'd like to suggest that the university teams put some real effort into
making a women's team at their university next term (perhaps we could
see the first women's university champioship next year? - there must be
a chance that we can do this at least indoors.). How to do
this? Well, recruit at Freshers Fair, and stress that it is a mixed
sport, but that you'll also have a women's team. Set aside an hour of
practice for women. Elect a specific women's captain to champion the
cause. 

The Mohawks have done some of these things for the last 3 years. We have
had a good number of female players of all abilities, and entered a
number of events. Unfortunately, this year, our most experienced players
have been poached by other teams leaving us with too few women to quite
form a team in a couple of events, and leaving our less experienced
players without their much needed guidance. To give our girls a chance  
to play a tournament together we tried to stage a womens tournament which
was only entered by 2 teams (including our own). Very disappointing, and
very costly. So, what do you do? Recruit more female players
*nationwide*, and really try to keep them. 

C'mon you established Uni teams - put some *real* effort into the women's
game next term, and let's see if we can get the ball rolling.

Locks