The UPA

Fact Sheet About the UPA

The Ultimate Players Association (UPA) is a player run not-for-profit organization based in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Founded in 1979, the UPA is among the first flying disc sport organizations in the world, and one of the largest, with over 15,600 members and hundreds of volunteers.

The UPA serves as the governing body of the sport of Ultimate in the US. Our mission is:

• To promote and support the sport of Ultimate and its players;
• To increase participation in the sport of Ultimate at all levels;
• To uphold the Spirit of the Game, including personal responsibility and integrity; and
• To provide a framework for players to organize and conduct competition and other activities related to Ultimate.

There are many ways to get involved. First and foremost - play Ultimate!

To support the sport, you may Join Online (preferred), join via snail mail or in person at UPA Headquarters, or join at a UPA event. Call or send email with questions. Current UPA members in good standing are sent quarterly Newsletters, the right to vote for Board members and the Rules, and may play in UPA sanctioned and series events.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the UPA and the sport of Ultimate. Volunteer roles include Sectional, Regional and National Coordinators for all championship divisions; Committee Members and Chairs for the Standing Rules Committee, Formats Committee, and a number of ad-hoc committees; technology support; special projects; Board of Directors; sponsorship & fundraising activities; and Event Directors. Over 23 years worth of player-organizers can be thanked for most everything that happens in the sport and the UPA.

Strategic Planning: In July of 2001, the Board of Directors held its tri-annual strategic planning meeting. See the Mission, Vision, Values, and Charter that were officially adopted in early spring 2002. Your member-elected Board of Directors meets each January to set the course of the UPA based on these principles.

Updated December 17, 2002