Below are some commonly asked questions regarding the UPA's sanctioning program.
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What events can be sanctioned by the UPA? The UPA sanctions Ultimate events such as tournaments, leagues, practices, and clinics. If you have any questions regarding the eligibility of applying for UPA sanctioning for your event please contact
Melanie Byrd.
The UPA is devoted entirely to the sport of Ultimate as defined by the UPA and the
11th Edition Rules. As a membership based organization, the UPA only endorses and affiliates with events that support our
definition, mission, vision, and values statement. The UPA defines Ultimate as a:
Player defined and controlled non-contact team sport played with a flying disc on a playing surface with end zones in which all actions are governed by the "
Spirit of the Game."
For more information on "player controlled" see information regarding
observers.
Sanctioning an event with the UPA is an application process subject to approval. The UPA reserves the right to deny sanctioning to any event.
Back to Top What does it mean to sanction my event with the UPA? It means your application has been reviewed and approved and that both the UPA and organizer agree to the terms and conditions of the contract. It also means that your event is affiliated with the UPA and as the organizer, you will represent the UPA when acting as the organizer of this event.
What are some benefits of sanctioning my event with the UPA? | Best support for Ultimate - Affiliating your event with the UPA strengthens the ties between the various Ultimate communities and provides the strongest support for the growth of Ultimate through the combined efforts of the national governing body and the local event organizer. |
| Insurance Coverage - If your event is approved for sanctioning with the UPA, the entities you identify beforehand will receive a certificate for general liability insurance coverage. |
| Free for Members - UPA sanctioning is a free service provided for its members. |
| Discounted Merchandise - such as Discraft 175g Ultrastar discs and rulebooks are available to organizers to use, sell or give away at your event. |
| Discounted Ads - Affiliated events receive 50% off black and white quarter- or half-page ads in the UPA magazine. |
| Website Promotion - We will promote your tournament on the UPA web page. |
| Rebate on New Sign-ups - Receive a $5 rebate on all brand new members that join the UPA during your event as long as the event meets all of the terms and conditions. |
| Online Score Reporting - Use the score reporting tool to report your tournament scores online and have your results count towards the RRI rankings. |
| UPA Assistance - The UPA will provide services and guidelines to assist you with planning and organizing your event. An event affiliated with the UPA gains recognition and sets higher standards for participant's expectations. |
| Magazine Coverage - Opportunities for additional coverage in Ultimate News. |
Back to Top What are some reasons why the UPA sanctions events? - To assist organizers in hosting Ultimate tournaments, leagues, practices and clinics throughout the country;
- To spread the enjoyment of Ultimate by supporting and affiliating with events in the local community;
- To improve and ensure the quality of Ultimate events by affiliating with them and providing them with additional services from a national governing body that they might not otherwise have access to on their own; and
- To improve the communication between Ultimate players and the UPA.
Back to Top As the organizer of a sanctioned event, what will I be responsible for?
You represent the UPA when acting as the organizer of a sanctioned event. Organizers are responsible for upholding UPA sanctioning guidelines and policies regarding safety and for the terms and conditions outlined in the application/contract which includes but is not limited to:
- providing rosters for all participating teams
- collecting waivers from players that don't have one on file at the UPA
- collecting fees/dues for players that are not current UPA members
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How do I apply for sanctioning? What is the process?In order to sanction your event, you must review the policies and procedures required to host a UPA sanctioned event, and then complete the sanctioning application and submit it along with the deposit to the UPA.
All sanctioning applications that are submitted are subject to approval by the UPA. Events will not be considered without receiving the completed packet and deposit from members in good standing. Event directors will be notified once their event has been approved for sanctioning.
Use the following checklist as a guide:
I need insurance fast, how long will it take to get the certificates?
We ask that you apply for sanctioning two weeks in advance. Certificates can generally be issued in a couple of days when needed.
What does the insurance cover? The UPA provides general liability insurance coverage for all sanctioned events. For more information about the UPA's insurance policy, please review this
summary.
Sanctioning is free for members. A $100 deposit is required for applications that are submitted on time but the deposits are refundable if the organizer meets the requirements outlined in the sanctioning contract. There is a $25 non-refundable fee if the application is submitted late.
Does every player need to be a member?
UPA membership in sanctioned events is recommended but it is not required. Players have the option of paying an event fee. Event fees include participation throughout the course of the event whether it last 1 day or many. Players who pay the event fee are in no way members and will not receive any privileges other than participation in the event. To see a list of some membership benefits, go to the
Membership Page.Event fees are $10.00 for adults (18 or older) and $5.00 for youth.
Back to Top Can I sanction multiple events, league seasons, etc. under one policy?
Event coverage is limited to 6 continuous months and policies should not cover extended gaps or lapses in play. For events and leagues lasting more than 6 months, reapplication may be necessary.
When an event goes through a new registration, changes rosters or experiences gaps when there is no scheduled activity, they must be officially "ended" as a UPA sanctioned event. When/if it starts back up again, the organizer will need to reapply and treat this as a separate event. Therefore, it is not possible to sanction multiple seasons of league or practice (spring, summer, fall) under one policy.
While truly independent events need to be kept separate, all segments that are part of the same event or program may be treated as one "event". For example, a clinic that leads into a summer league that ends with a tournament can all be sanctioned as part of the same "event".
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