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News

Announcements: Virtual Training Registration, International Women's Day and Summer 2021 Survey

Posted: March 1, 2021, 5:53 PM

Registrations Now Open for Our 8-Week Virtual Training Programs

We are excited to announce that TUC and Redline Athletics Canada have partnered to bring you an 8-week training program.

We are pleased to be able to offer two streams of programming.

For those of us who are competitive and are gearing up for your competitive touring season or our Summer Wednesday Comp League offering, we have our "Elite/Comp" sessions taking place on Wednesdays.

For those of us, who have been less active and want to get the rust off and get ready for our summer season, we have our "League Ready" offering for you, which will take place on Mondays.

And for the real keeners looking to train a couple of times a week, you can sign up for both programs!

These sessions will all be done online through Zoom/Google Hangouts.

We hope that come April, if restrictions ease, that those who wish to attend the session in person at Redline's facilities can do so.

Sign up today to reserve your place in these programs! Registrations close on Friday, March 5th at 10:00 P.M.

Here are the links to register:

These programs are "Pay what you can," with the suggested contribution of $80 to $120 (the 8-week program is valued at $120/person, the equivalent of $15/session).

Note regarding "Pay what you can":  To allow online payment functionality, we have had to put an arbitrary upper limit on the "pay what you can" amount, randomly selected as $200 (HST included). You will be able to enter any amount from $40 to $200, and it will show up as a "deposit" when you register and make payment. TUC will then manually adjust the payment status to "PAID" and note the registration as such.

International Women's Day - Help Us Celebrate the Great Womxn of Ultimate!

Is there a womxn in the TUC community who has inspired you, challenged you? Is there an athlete or coach who is serving as a role model in our community?

March 8th is International Women's Day, and we want to share stories of the amazing womxn within the TUC community – our athletes, coaches, and administrators.

If you have a story to share, send us a message (ed@tuc.org) or complete the Google Form (https://forms.gle/xGvpDARwF3pRQBmM7), and help us highlight the impact of the great womxn in the community!

2021 TUC Summer and Fall Outdoor Planning Survey - Survey Closes March 5th!

We want your input and feedback regarding the upcoming Summer and Fall Outdoor Seasons!

The purpose of the survey is to determine your level of comfort regarding potentially returning to play OUTDOORS this summer and fall.

Your responses would be very much appreciated and will help us in planning our summer and fall seasons. We know Summer and Fall seem far away, ALTHOUGH, maybe not; Wiarton Willie did predict an early spring after all.

For those that have already completed this survey and provided their feedback, thank you.

SURVEY LINK → https://forms.gle/CFR6HFDZj5gZ15cy7

Read more...

Black History Month

Posted: February 9, 2021, 2:44 PM

February is Black History Month 

The 2021 theme for Black History Month is "The Future is Now," the chance to celebrate and acknowledge the transformative work that Black Canadians and their communities are doing now.

To kick things off, we want to share an article written by Hadiya "Dee" Roderique, a long-time TUC player and volunteer who currently serves on Ultimate Canada's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. In the article published on Sportsnet, she shares her experiences in sport.

In addition to this great article, we will continue to share articles, webinars and events that showcase, empower and celebrate Black History and Black Canadians.

Here are a few Events and Programs to start us off:

Read more...

Tournament Simulator 2021

Posted: February 4, 2021, 12:29 AM

Tournament Simulator 2021

Welcome to the Tournament Simulator 2021 Challenge!!!

Here you will find all the details regarding the event, our contributing trainers, and the workouts (and links) they have provided in support of this event TUC is hosting as a part of Winter Health and Fitness Week.

You will also find information on our Raffle Prize Draw for the Fitness Prize Pack, as well as photos and updates throughout the day on February 6th!

The Challenge!

The objective is to pick any 3 of the workouts and try to complete all in one day, similar to the effort you would put in to a tournament!  Challenge your friends and your team!

Contributing Trainers and Coaches

We want to give a big shout out and thank all the trainers and coaches who contributed workouts for this event! Provided below is a little background information about each of them!

Alyne Azucena

Alyne is a long time TUC member, player captain (Union) and sports performance coach (GamePoint Performance & Ultimate Experience). She advocates a holistic approach to sports performance: nutrition, recovery, and physical and mental training, and is focused on helping new athletes own their athleticism.

How to find Alyne:

Brendt Barrett

Brendt Barrett, aka Coach B, is a lifelong athlete and competitor. A former football player, he has worked with dozens of athletes in building their strength conditioning, agility, and mindset. He works through his sports training facility, Redline Athletics Canada, to help improve the performance level of as many athletes as possible by making them healthier and more viable.

Coach B is also chairperson of the non-profit social enterprise, Athletic Eatery. Based on offering athletic support and advocating physical literacy, the goal of this company is to provide a support structure for Canadian athletes who are often under supported.

How to find Coach B:

Kelly Barrington

Kelly Barrington is a Can-Fit-Pro certified Personal Training Specialist, Run Coach, Pilates & Yoga Instructor.  She owns and operates Contours Personal Training.   Kelly switched careers in 2010 and has followed her passion for fitness ever since.  Along her journey she has qualified for the Boston & Chicago world majors marathons, completed the Sulphur Springs 50miler Ultramarathon and is an Ironman Triathlete.  Besides operating her own small business, and training for marathons & triathlons, she also has a passion for ultimate frisbee.  A member of TUC since 2007, Kelly plays on several league teams.

"Ultimate frisbee helps keep me well rounded as an athlete with all the dynamic motions of the sport.  Ultimate also serves as my interval training workouts when I can't make it to the track!  It has also given me many valuable friendships over the years.  I can't imagine my life without it."

How to find Kelly:

Jamie Millage

Jamie is an NCCP Learning Facilitator, Team Canada athlete and coach, and pre-covid was the TUC Manager of Athlete Development and Coaching and continues to be an active part of our TUC community. He won the Canadian Ultimate Championships in 2016 with our very own Grand Trunk, and currently captains Durham’s Houndd. He also has a background in track and field, was a part of 2 NAIA National Cross Country Championships, and is a 4x800 All-American.

How to find Jamie:

  • Instagram:  @millagej

The Workouts

In this section, you will find various workouts provided by our contributing trainers and coaches for you to complete as a part of the Ultimate Tournament Simulator 2021 challenge.  Remember, the objective is to select any 3 of these workouts, and try to complete them all in one day!

We have provided quick links below so that if you wish, you can jump to a specific contributing trainer/coach:

Alyne Azucena Workouts

Workout #1

No equipment for this workout is needed; you can challenge yourself by holding a weight, if possible.

Exercise Sets and Reps Video Link
Reverse Lunge 4 x 8 each https://youtu.be/cfA133MhAYs
Reverse Crawl 4 x 8 each https://youtu.be/b4-dcSacnco
All Fours Cross Connect 4 x 8 each https://youtu.be/LRATkxWwRuM
SLDL 4 X 8 each https://youtu.be/CvdueBjA2pk

Workout #2

No equipment for this workout needed, you can challenge yourself by holding a weight, if possible.

Exercise Sets and Reps Video Link
Elbow to Hand All Fours (like vidoe, but quadruped position, knees under hips) 4 x 5 each https://youtu.be/mLI-U6G6_zQ
Lateral Bound 4 x 5 each https://youtu.be/Hc9_FQgIeeg
Lateral Squat 4 x 8 each https://youtu.be/RkiYM02RtJI

Alternating Rotational Push Up

 4 x 8 each https://youtu.be/YU0gWh72a3k

Kelly Barrington Workouts

Workout #1 - Cardio and Plyometrics

You can find Kelly's full Cardio and Plyometrics workout here (on our YouTube Channel) and do this workout alongside her!

You can also check out each exercise in this workout plan, as provided below.

Read more...

Bell Lets Talk Day 2021

Posted: January 28, 2021, 11:08 AM

Today is #BellLetsTalk Day!

The last 10 months have been hard!

Our lives have been impacted in so many ways. Over the last 10 days, we've shared some articles and resources to remind us how and why sport and being active is important. We've shared why folks play sport, the importance of acceptance to drive continued participation, and the resulting benefits of an active lifestyle - physical and mental well being!

It's okay to not be okay!

Now more than ever, mental health matters, and every action counts!

Small actions, from encouraging physical activity and getting outside to recognizing stressors to being there for a loved one, can all go a long way to help to support mental health and strengthen our communities during this difficult time.

Below is a recap of the research articles we have shared about the benefits of sport, how to get more active, and mental health tips for coaches and athletes to help us navigate our way through COVID-19.

At the end of the article, we have compiled a list of helpful resources and information developed by various organizations like the Canadian Psychological Association and the Centre for Additional and Mental Health (CAMH) on how you can help yourself, your friends, and your family cope with stress and look after their mental health.

 

24-Hour Movement Guidelines

According to the new 24-Hour Movement Guidelines published by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), which focuses on healthy living and the benefits of healthy living, "by getting the most out of your whole day by moving more," it can help you:

  • Improve fitness.
  • Strengthen muscles and bones.
  • Improve mental health and wellbeing.

The CSEP has also provided some guidance on how to continue to practice healthy movement behaviours in the COVID-19 Era. Check out the article here if you are looking for some ideas.

 

Acceptance - the Hallmark of a Quality Sporting Experience

Research indicates that regardless of skill, age or gender, individuals continue to participate in sports as they feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Acceptance is achieved in one of two ways:

  1. Engagement in sport is through effort, which improves performance and leads to acceptance through successful performance.
  2. Engagement in sport first comes through acceptance, which then drives effort, which improves performance.

Regardless of the path, it is acceptance, this sense of belonging, that fuels a life-long passion for sport, which leads to a healthier, more active lifestyle and improved mental health and wellbeing!

 

Why Folks Start to Play or Get Involved In Sport

Again, regardless of age or gender, the TOP 5 reasons why folks start to and get involved in sport are:

  1. To Have Fun.
  2. To improve their skills/learn new skills.
  3. To be with friends and make new ones.
  4. To be part of a team.
  5. For the excitement/challenge of competition.

Sports organizations, activity leaders and coaches that embrace these "whys" as a part of their underlying core values and integrate them into their programs and activities create the accepting environment that develops that sense of belonging and plants the seeds for a lifelong passion for Sport, reaping the benefits of an active lifestyle, improved mental health and wellbeing not just in the short term but in the long-term!

 

Mental Health Tips for Athletes, Coaches and Sport Administrators

COVID-19 has limited and changed our ability to reap the benefits of sport and physical activity. This has affected us all in different ways and similarly impacted our health and wellness.

As we continue to stay home and stay safe, our friends at the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) have put together some Mental Health tips for coaches, athletes and Sports administrators to support our mental health and optimal mental performance to help us through to the other side of this pandemic.

  • Pre and Post Daily Routines. Create a pre-day and a post-day routine to bookend your work or school day.
  • Get excited for new solutions. Adopt a solutions-focused mindset and challenge yourself to find new and better ways of doing things.
  • Cognitive fitness. Find fun and creative ways to engage your mind in diverse and meaningful ways. Take an online course, read a book, do a Sudoku or crossword puzzle, etc.

Check out the full list of tips in the article here!

 

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES AND RESOURCES

Articles, Factsheets and Information:

 

Organizations with Helpful (and great) Resources:

Read more...

COVID-19 UPDATE: What the Red Level Restrictions Mean to TUC

Posted: November 20, 2020, 11:09 AM

Dear Fellow TUC Members,

 

TUC Leadership continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

 

On 3 November 2020, Premier Doug Ford announced the Province's new framework (COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open), which afforded more flexibility and a targeted approach to balance public health and the economy.

 

This new framework has five (5) phases/levels: Green, Yellow, Orange, Red and Grey, with each level/phase having more stringent restrictions. Green being the equivalent of Stage 3, and Grey, being a lockdown, like Stage 1.

 

On 3 November, Doug Ford announced that Toronto would remain in modified Stage 2 until 14 November, at the request of Toronto Public Health. And that on 14 November, Toronto would shift to the new system in the Orange Phase. At that time, TUC leadership began to work with our venue providers to discuss the fall indoor season.

 

On Tuesday, 10 November, Toronto Public Health announced that Toronto would, on 14 November, move into the Red phase of the new framework and would remain in the Red phase for twenty-eight (28) days. In the Red phase, team sports are not allowed to play games or scrimmage, and can only train in groups of 10 participants (or less). In addition to the base restrictions of the Red phase, Dr. De Villa has strongly recommended that Torontonians limit all contact to those in their household.  

 

Unfortunately, in that vein, TUC activities will remain suspended to align with the new framework, and per our local Public Health authority's recommendation.

 

Lastly, we know that on Friday, 20 November (today), that Premier Ford will be announcing additional restrictions, and TUC leadership will review these measures and will advise how and if they affect TUC and its programming.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jo Malisani

Executive Director

Read more...

Toronto Ultimate Club Announces Staff Reduction

Posted: October 21, 2020, 7:38 PM

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented impact on sport around the world. Over the last six months, TUC was forced to cancel the remainder of the Winter 2020 season and offer reduced Summer and Fall outdoor offerings (first with clinics, and then with small leagues). Also, Fall Indoor and Winter Indoor are anticipated to be run at a reduced capacity (if they even go ahead, given the anticipation of further restrictions). With a vast majority of the organization’s revenues generated through league/program fees, the organization is in a challenging financial situation.

To navigate these financial challenges, TUC has used the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA), the Commercial Rent Assistance Program (CECRA), and has drawn on financial reserves. Many amateur sport organizations across Canada, Ontario and Toronto have similarly been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and while some organizations have received direct financial support through Sport Canada, and/or through their Provincial Ministry of Sport or Provincial Sporting Organization, TUC is unfortunately not eligible to receive these funds.

With the CECRA and CEWS programs winding down, uncertainty around the community's comfort level regarding return to team sports as well as public health restrictions ebbing and flowing with respect to team sports, the organization has made the difficult decision to reduce the number of permanent paid staff by 66%. The staff has been transitioning out over the past few weeks and will continue to do so till the end of October.

As we move forward, TUC will continue to work with the greater Ultimate community, as well as the general sporting community in Ontario and Toronto to support a return to play. Please continue to check the website and social media for upcoming communications.

“It is with great regret that we make this announcement today,” said Toronto Ultimate executive director Jo Malisani. “Our staff has invested so much into the growth and development of the sport and our community, and we thank them for their countless contributions.”

“With financial realities setting in and return to sport slower than anticipated, the Board of Directors had to make this difficult decision about staffing to ensure the long term viability of Toronto Ultimate Club,” said TUC president Chelsea Jackson. “Our staff are dedicated, hard-working professionals which made this decision extremely difficult. We want to extend our thanks to all our staff for their service. Your hard work and dedication have strengthened and enriched our Ultimate community."

For more information, please contact executive director Jo Malisani at ed@tuc.org.

Read more...

Celebrating Our LGBTQ+ Community

Posted: June 17, 2020, 1:08 PM

CELEBRATING OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY – IHUC’S STORY

June is Pride Month, and to celebrate TUC wanted to share stories of our LGBTQ+ community, specifically, IHUC and their teams that partake in TUC's programming and with whom TUC leadership partnered with for feedback on our Inclusion Policy.  They have graciously agreed to share their story, and we want to thank IHUC's Executive for providing us with the following article.

 

IHUC’S STORY

Submitted by IHUC Executive

IHUC exists to provide an inclusive space for the queer community to become kick-ass at ultimate frisbee while having fun and being part of a team!

Its long and storied history dates back to 2015 when it was a casual pickup “league”.  Things got serious in 2016 when the league got its first field permit, and the name was changed to IHUC (which doesn’t officially stand for anything, but unofficially stands for Incredibly Homosexual Ultimate Club).

The league is open to all players and all skill levels.  In fact, many players have no experience playing ultimate at all.  The focus is on having fun, learning the sport, and building community.  Over the past four years, queers and allies have congregated in Riverdale Park East on summer Wednesdays in what is probably the most colourful game of ultimate in Toronto. 

Part of IHUC’s success is its wonderful sponsor bar, the Old Nick on Danforth Ave.  After every game, almost the entire league can be found in the back patio meeting new friends and occasionally singing along to Disney!

As the “sport” side of the league has grown, some IHUCers have started playing in TUC and TSSC leagues during the winter season (you may have noticed more bright coloured shirts at Monarch Park and Lamport Stadium – we have an affinity for hot pink).  As well, for the past few years several players have gone to the world’s largest (not that it’s that big) queer ultimate frisbee tournament in Las Vegas in January (part of the Sin City Classic).  The tournament has been a great way for the broader queer frisbee community to connect.

IHUC is also super excited to partner more closely with TUC, as the league grows.  We were happy to give feedback on TUC’s Inclusivity Policy earlier this year.

Because our field permit only runs until the end of July, IHUC has already made the sad decision to cancel the 2020 season.  We are all really missing the beautiful queer frisbee community, and we hope to be back on the field soon.

IHUC maintains a web presence on Facebook.  Check out our videos!

 

2020 TORONTO VIRTUAL PRIDE EVENTS

While the 2020 Toronto Pride Festival Weekend, has been cancelled, Toronto Pride has put together Virtual Pride, a series of events, including, weekly events, BIPOC programming, and a Virtual Pride Parade and Marches. Click here to see a listing of all the Virtual Pride events happening throughout June.

Egale also has a 2020 Pride Inside Guide on ways to celebrate Pride.

 

LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVITY RESOURCES

TUC has also compiled a listing of resources on ways we can support our LGBTQ+ community members through allyship and creating inclusive, safe, and brave spaces for everyone:

Read more...

Black History Month

Posted: March 5, 2021, 12:39 AM

#BlackHistoryMonth has come to a close. Our colleagues at Team Ontario recently shared Chef De Mission Steve Sevor's thoughts on how we, as individuals and the entire sporting community, need to continue to learn about Black history to continue to affect change every day of the year.  

 

To learn more about Steve's thoughts on educating youth, his personal heroes and his message for the whole sporting community, check out this link on #TeamO's Facebook Page.

 

Additional Resources

For more information and resources about Ontario Black History and Canadian Black history, we have compiled a list of resources; please see below:

Read more...

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