Ultimate Happenings - Issue 199
February 26, 2002

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           U L T I M A T E   H A P P E N I N G S            
                Issue 199 - February 26, 2002                
                
******************* 3284 players served ********************
                   
      OCUA - The largest ultimate league in the world!      
            (300 teams and 3700 members in 2001)            

                    http://www.ocua.ca/                    

"There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already 
full." - Henry Kissinger

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CONTENTS:

- 2002 Summer League Registration
- 2002 Summer League Team Fees
- 4/3 vs. 5/2 Update
- Call for Coaches - Kids Ultimate
- New Co-Ed Competitive Team In Ottawa
- Rental Accommodations
- Calendar Of Events

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2002 SUMMER LEAGUE REGISTRATION

Summer league registration will follow a similar format to 
last year. Returning teams will have until March 15 to pay a 
$250 deposit in order to secure their spot on their night of 
play. The major change to the process will be the 
combination of the captain's meeting and registration day 
into one meeting.  We're hoping that this will make the 
process easier for everyone. The balance of fees will be due 
at that time. Complete information is available on the 
website - or if it isn't, it'll be there shortly. :)  If you 
have any questions regarding the process, contact our 
General Manager, Nick Roberts (729-9227, gm@ocua.ca).

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2002 SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM FEES

After holding fees steady for the past 3 years, the board of 
directors has voted to increase this year's summer league 
team fees from $750 to $950. We realize that this represents 
a fairly substantial increase, however we believe that it is 
necessary to secure the future of the league. Our main 
concern continues to be field space.  While we did receive 
an extension on the zoning of the sod farm, along with a 
promise from the city to find replacement fields, we 
consider it to be a warning of things to come.  In addition, 
we are concerned about the difficulty the city may have 
following through on this, as we don't think there are that 
many fields to find. We continue to feel pressure on our in 
city fields, both from the public and from other sports, and 
it looks like we may well lose the use of Orlando and 
Britannia this year. We're working to find replacement 
fields, but it continues to be a struggle.

Faced with these issues, we have voted to restrict growth, 
allowing for only a small increase in teams, despite the 
continued increase in demand to play. We simply can't 
continue growing at the rate we have been until we find more 
fields. In addition, we need to be prepared for the possible 
loss of the sod farm in a couple of years, and higher field 
rental costs for any new fields we obtain. Finally, we need 
to put ourselves in a position to take advantage of 
possibilities that may arise in the next few years for new 
fields. In this current climate of fiscal restraint and 
tight budgets, the city is not giving away anything for 
free, even if there is a huge demand for sports fields.  As 
such, we believe that it is in our best interest to have 
capital available for potential field development projects, 
whether they be in cooperation with the city, or on our own.

So, there is the logic behind the increase. We will have 
more detailed financial breakdowns available at the 
captain's meeting in April. In the interim, feedback or 
questions are always welcome. Feel free to contact us at 
info@ocua.ca.

Respectfully,
	
The OCUA Board of Directors

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4/3 VS 5/2 UPDATE

Thanks to everyone who responded to us regarding the 
possible dissolution of the 5/2 divisions.  The results were 
inconclusive, as responses were essentially split 50/50.  As 
a result, we will leave it to the 5/2 teams to decide based 
on registration. If there are sufficient teams to run a 5/2 
division (minimum of 8 teams), then we will do so. However, 
it is our belief that 4/3 is the way to go, and we currently 
plan to eliminate the 5/2 leagues next year, unless there is 
a significant demand for them.

As for this year, we realize that the biggest problem will 
be Tier 1 Wednesday night 5/2.  As it is considered the top 
level of ultimate within the league, teams will be unwilling 
to register for 4/3 (or stay in 5/2 for that matter) unless 
the majority of the teams are doing so as well. Therefore, 
we would ask that the captains of those teams indicate their 
preference to us, and we will try to work it out with you. 
An email will be coming out shortly.

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CALL FOR COACHES - KIDS ULTIMATE

We are planning to run a Kids Ultimate league again this 
year - expanding the league to two levels: ages 9-12 and 13-
15. If teaching young players to play ultimate appeals to 
you, please contact us to become a coach.

The time commitment will be one or two meetings in the pre-
season, two hours every Thursday night from 6pm-8pm (May 16-
July 25), and one or two planning meetings through the 
season as required. Everyone had lots of fun last year.

For more information or to volunteer, call Karen Lange 
821-2183 or email kids@ocua.ca

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NEW CO-ED COMPETITIVE TEAM IN OTTAWA

I am proposing a team of committed, competitive and spirited 
players to start a new.   By combining our individual 
talents and enthusiasm of the game to learn and build as a 
team we can attend our ultimate goal of  regionals and 
Nationals.  

Spring tryouts will be announced followed by weekly 
practices May- Aug. Please contact Cindy Parker, Ivan Levac 
or Keith Whyte for information.

#715-9493
Cparker@ottawahospital.on.ca
I_Levac@hotmail.com

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RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS

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1 or 2 rooms available April 1st....or sooner if needed. 
location: Meadowlands & Merivale (Nepean) Close to Algonquin 
College & 1 bus ride to Carleton large yard for chucking the 
disc (park across the street) $500 rent + utilities -1 
person (cheaper if 2 ppl) flat rate can be negotiated for 
students. 
Contact Heath: 224-0968 email: laird_house@hotmail.com

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1 room available in a 3 bedroom house. Somerset/Bronson 
area. $350/month + utilities. Non-smoker, laundry facilities 
included, garage, back yard, close to grocery store and 
restaurants, must like cat, close to #2 bus route. Availabe 
March 1st. If interested, contact either Sharon or Myrosia 
at 569-2842 or myrosia@hotmail.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

 2002/03/15    : Team Fee Deposit Due
 
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Ultimate Happenings is an e-mail newsletter for the
Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association (http://www.ocua.ca).

To unsubscribe, email uh@ocua.ca with subject "Unsubscribe".

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