Monthly Archives: May 2024

Welcome To VU Summer League

Welcome to our (brand new) VU Summer League (VUSL)
Weeknight Summer League 2024

When:

  • Monday (Women’s)
  • Tuesday (Grandmasters Mixed), and
  • Wednesday (Mixed Competitive) 6-8pm

Dates : June 17  – August 15, 2024
Location: Oxbow Field – Northampton
Ages: Women’s = 14+ ; Grandmasters = 35+ (women), 40+ (men) ; Competitive = 14+
Cost: $60 for one league, $50 (per league) for two, $40 (per league) for three –
Sliding Scale Options Available (see below)
Registration: May 7 – June 7 Ability Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Vibe: Mixed, Competitive, Fun Ultimate!

Coordinator: Kyle Taylor 

Details? Read below

Registration – click here 

League Goals and Values This is a new league and we look forward to a welcoming, fun, and competitive atmosphere to keep us all playing Ultimate through the summer! We seek to create a community space for players to compete in a welcoming and friendly environment. We strive to foster an inclusive playing opportunity and welcome feedback on how to continue to improve in this area. We adhere to the USAU Gender Inclusion Policy and have collected equity resources on our website, which we encourage players to explore. We expect all participants to demonstrate the highest level of respect for one another and the ultimate community; harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated and should be reported to the league coordinator (contact info below). Players will be removed from play immediately pending further investigation. VU Summer league competition format:

  • 7 v 7, mixed (coed) play (4:3, alternating majority)
  • Current USAU Ultimate Rules 
  • Games start at 6pm
  • Games to 15, half at 8 (or at 60 minutes if not 8 points yet)
  • Hard Cap at 90 minutes (7:30pm)
  • Timeouts – 1 per half, plus a floater
  • Halftime is 5 minutes. It can be shorter by agreement of the captains.

  Dates, Standings, Playoffs: Please note, team numbers and rotation may change based on interest 

  • Women’s League
      • Weeknight league play will begin on Monday, June 17 at 6pm
      • There will be four teams, each team will play each other twice, and we will keep track of standings. 
      • On July 29 (Week 7), Ranks 1v3 and 2v4 will play 
      • On August 5 (week 8) W1 v W2 and L1 v L2
      • On August 12 (week), W1a v W2a and L1a v L2a
  • Grandmaster’s League
      • Weeknight League will begin on Tuesday, June 18 at 6pm
      • There will be four teams, each team will play each other twice, and we will keep track of standings. 
      • On July 30 (Week 7), Ranks 1v3 and 2v4 will play 
      • On August 6 (week 8) W1 v W2 and L1 v L2
      • On August 13 (week), W1a v W2a and L1a v L2a
  • Competitive League
    • Weeknight league play will begin Wednesday, June 19
    • There will be six teams. 
      • The first 5 weeks will consist of a simple round robin.
      • Teams will be ranked into two pools of 3 after the round robin. Week 6 – Week 8 will be cross-pool play
      • Teams will face off according to pool play results for Week 9 (1v2, 3v4, 5v6)

How are teams formed?

  • This is a draft league; Once players are accepted into the league, they will be drafted by captains onto teams.
  • Players must be in good standing (paid, registered) to be eligible for the draft
  • All appointed captains will meet for a draft at least one week before the season begins. 
  • If you would like to be a captain please indicate so on your registration form.
  • We intend to create 6 teams (of 16 or 18 players) – evenly split between male & female/anyone-matching players.

Is this league for you?

  • This league is open to all players, but will be geared toward an intermediate /advanced  level. This means that a player should have some experience playing ultimate, whether on a team or in a previous league. This is not intended to be a teaching/introductory league.
  • Players can sign up individually and may request to play with one friend

Registration

  • Acceptance into this league is based on a lottery and is not first-come, first-served
  • Lottery registration is open from Tuesday, May 7 at 6am and will be open through Friday, June 7 at 10pm.
  • We will notify you if you are accepted and collect payment then (note that you must pay within 3 days of selection – otherwise your registration will be given to someone else). 
  • Registration is $60, $50, or $40 (depending on the number of leagues you sign up for), but those who cannot afford to pay full price can choose to pay less at checkout (VU sliding scale).  All players must be current USAU members or purchase the additional, once-per-year Valley Ultimate affiliate fee of $17 (this is how we are being insured). 
  • Male-Matching players who “bundle” their registration with a female/anyone-matching player will receive priority to participate. 
  • If you are interested in playing in this league, please fill out the following Registration Form. 

Questions: 

Pricing (VU Sliding Scale): 

  • Sustainer Price: $75
  • Full Registration Price: $60
  • Cost Price: $40
  • Financial Hardship Price: $20
  • Request a full fee waiver – no questions asked

Gender Matching: 

  • Here is language we plan to use regarding gender matching:
    • Female-matching: any non-cis gendered man who prefers to match against women or nonbinary players
    • Male-matching: Any person who prefers to match against men 
    • Anyone-matching: any non-cis gendered man who is comfortable marking any player on the field
  • Please keep in mind that we envision the “anyone-match” position to be occupied by players who are not cisgender men. The position exists to create space for nonbinary/genderfluid players in mixed ultimate, and to allow all players to feel comfortable in their matchups.

VU Summer Youth Club Program

Valley Ultimate Youth Club Program:

Opportunities for Gx & Bx U20 athletes

Are you

  • between the ages of 14-19?
  • hoping to develop your Ultimate game?
  • looking for great coaching, fun skill building, and local & regional competition?
If so, VU Summer Youth Club has got a great program in 2024 for you

We are looking forward to a growth-filled summer working with athletes coming from all over the Western MA region to train and compete in a supportive environment with committed, skilled coaches.

For more information – check out our website and sign up today