1 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

Bid to Host AFDA 2019 and

2020 National Events

We Can Deliver As one of Australia’s largest Ultimate communities and, having

hosted major 400+ player Ultimate tournaments in 2018, 2017 and

2016, Canberra Ultimate’s volunteer capacity is both deep and wide.

It’s Our Turn Canberra last hosted the Australian Ultimate Championships in 2003.

A Fantastic City Canberra boasts exceptional field quality, capacity and redundancy –

our field provider ACT Sport and Recreation has 880 sportsfields

under its management – along with national transport links, extensive

accommodation options and essential tourism experiences.

And a Unique Vision We propose holding both AUCD2 and AUC on consecutive Easter

and ANZAC day weekends in 2019, producing a nine day ‘festival of

Ultimate’ in the national capital.

Canberra Ultimate is supported by

Sport and Recreation grants

generously provided by the

Canberra Ultimate is proudly affiliated with

2 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

Bid Summary Name of Host: Canberra Ultimate

Bid Contacts: Jason de Rooy (President, Canberra Ultimate – 04222 45054) and

Hannah Monty (Development Officer, Canberra Ultimate - 0425 230 394).

Proposed Venues: Southwell Park, Canberra (14 fields); Dickson Fields, Canberra (8 fields); and

National Hockey Centre, Canberra (Finals stadium).

Interstate Access: Canberra is within seven hours’ drive of over 2/3 of AFDA members.

Canberra receives direct flights from all mainland Australian capital cities.

Volunteer Capacity: Canberra Ultimate has approximately 1,000 members and has routinely delivered

tournaments catering to more than 400+ players.

Previous Experience: Eastern Regionals 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018; Brisbane-Canberra Invitational 2009,

2011, 2013, 2015, 2017; Australian Mixed Ultimate Championships 2013; Australian

Ultimate Championships 2003.

Aside from being experienced hosts with tried and tested venues, Canberra Ultimate proposes to host both

the Australian Ultimate Championships 2019 and the Division 2 Championships 2019 in consecutive

weekends, making for a ‘nine day festival of Ultimate’.

2019 offers a rare alignment of an Easter weekend being followed by a Thursday ANZAC Day, meaning

Australian workers can maximise ten days off using only three days of leave, providing an opportunity for

international-standard player, spectator, volunteer and promotional experience.

Our proposed schedule including some indicative social events looks like:

Friday 19 April 2019 – Easter Friday Public Holiday

Saturday 20 April 2019 – AUCD2 Day 1 / Trivia Night

Sunday 21 April 2019 – AUCD2 Day 2 / Tournament Party / Easter Sunday

Monday 22 April 2019 – AUCD2 Day 3 Finals / After Party / Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 23 April 2019 – the Festival of Ultimate Continues

Wednesday 24 April 2019 – the Festival of Ultimate Continues / Rego Night

Thursday 25 April 2019 – AUC Day 1 / Trivia Night / ANZAC Day

Friday 26 April 2019 – AUC Day 2

Saturday 27 April 2019 – AUC Day 3 / Tournament Party

Sunday 28 April 2019 – AUC Day 4 Finals

(BUT – if this is a step too far, please consider all of the above also a bid to host AUCD2 in Canberra over two

years on Friday 12 to Sunday 14 April 2019 and Friday 17 – Sunday 19 April 2020.)

3 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

1. About Canberra Ultimate 1. Canberra Ultimate is the trading name of the Australian Capital Territory Ultimate Association (ACTUA).

2. We are recognised by the ACT Government as the Peak Body for Ultimate in the ACT, and are affiliated

with the Australian Flying Disc Association.

3. Our Australian Business Number (ABN) is 72 753 831 746 and we are an incorporated association within

the ACT, with the association number A03229. Our postal address is PO Box 842, Canberra, ACT, 2600.

4. More information including key volunteers, events, annual reports, strategic plans, policies and our

constitution are available on our website at www.canberraultimate.com.

2. Bid Contacts 1. To discuss our bid further, please contact Jason de Rooy (President, Canberra Ultimate – 04222 45054)

and Hannah Monty (Development Officer, Canberra Ultimate - 0425 230394).

2. Our intention is for the Canberra Ultimate Board and Development Officer to anchor the early stages of

preparation, and bring on additional volunteers as we progress towards the event.

3. Jason has 18 years of experience at all levels and forms of Ultimate administration, receiving the Rob

Hancock Award for his services to Australian Ultimate in 2011. Jason brings strong focus on governance

and communication, both as a long term public servant and as someone who’s put more words onto the

internet about Ultimate in Australia over the last two decades than anyone else.

4. Hannah has played almost every high level Ultimate event Australia over the last five years, along with

three international campaigns, and is currently both the NSW and the recently-appointed Canberra

Ultimate Development Officer. Hannah has managed a number of events for NSW Ultimate and Hills

Ultimate.

3. Volunteer Capacity, Resources and Outlook 1. Canberra Ultimate has extensive volunteer capacity to deliver the events. Our membership pool – of

people who’ve played a Canberra Ultimate event in the last 12 months – is approximately 1,000. We

have deep reserves of experience in major event management, having hosted a number of major events

in recent years including:

i. Eastern Regionals 2018 at Dickson Fields – 538 players across 30 teams.

ii. Eastern Regionals 2017 at Dickson and Downer Fields – 440 players across 24 teams.

iii. Eastern Regionals 2016 at Mawson Fields – 384 players across 23 teams.

iv. Eastern Regionals 2014 at Giralang Fields – 293 players across 17 teams.

v. Brisbane-Canberra Invitational 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009 – typically 16 elite teams.

vi. Australian Mixed Nationals 2013 at Southwell and Dickson – 407 players across 24 teams.

vii. Australian National Championships 2003 at the University of Canberra – 34 teams.

2. We also have a large number of people who have volunteered and played at international events,

including World u24s in Perth in 2017 and WUCC2006.

3. Canberra Ultimate owns a large quantity of equipment – enough to host the events listed above – which is

stored at Dickson fields.

4. Canberra Ultimate has long demonstrated a strong commitment to communication, transparency and

good governance. We believe that Ultimate players love to manage themselves – they just need to know

what’s going on. So communication is the first thing we do, and our major risk mitigation tool - not the

optional extra that you sometimes see at other Ultimate events.

i. We show this by having one of the most comprehensive and detailed Ultimate websites in the

country, publishing weekly league previews and results, newsletters, meeting minutes and

reports, and general news – and promoting this through email lists, meme-generation and

several targeted Facebook groups.

ii. We’re the only bid for an AFDA event ever (that we know of) that was posted publicly for

everyone in Australian and NZ Ultimate to read and reflect on.

4 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

4. About the Venues 1. Canberra Ultimate has gained in-principle support for priority access to Southwell Park (space for 14

Ultimate fields) and Dickson Fields (space for an additional 8 Ultimate fields to support AUCD2, and home

of Canberra Ultimate’s equipment garage) during April 2019 from ACT Sport and Recreation. ACT Sport

and Recreation directly manages 880 sportsfields, meaning we have a field provider with have an

excellent sense of the importance of national events going ahead flexibly

should it rain.

2. A formal letter of support from ACT Minister for Sport, Ms Yvette Berry

(pictured with Canberra Ultimate President Jason de Rooy), is provided at

Attachment A.

3. Southwell Park and Dickson Fields are very well known to the national

Ultimate community (including Ulti-TV staff), and have adequate toilets,

storage power and other facilities. These would likely be enhanced by a

temporary tournament HQ and additional portaloos. Dickson has a variety of

natural shade, although both venues would be supplemented with tents etc.

4. We intend to investigate holding Finals at the National Hockey Centre, which

is adjacent to Southwell Park, and provides an advanced artificial surface,

covered grandstand seating, PA system and a bar.

5. Southwell Park and Dickson Fields are approximately 2km/20 minute walk

apart, and between them stands the Dickson Shopping Centre, which includes a supermarket,

McDonalds, KFC, Subway, two pubs and multiple coffee shops and restaurants. Canberra’s new light rail

line runs past Southwell Park to the CBD, and there are buses from the area to the CBD every five to ten

minutes. Adjacent to the National Hockey Centre is the Old Canberra Inn, a craft-beer pub, providing an

easy after-games option for player relaxation.

6. The tournaments conveniently coincide with the 2019 and 2020 ACT school holidays, meaning the

absence of junior sport increases flexibility further.

7. In April, Canberra averages eight days of rain (of more than 0.1mm) compared with over eleven for

Melbourne and ten for Sydney. The city has an average daytime high of 20.4 degrees and an average

overnight low of 7 degrees – perfect temperatures for intensive sport.

Below – map of Lyneham and Dickson, showing proposed venues and other facilities.

5 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

Below – proposed field layout for Southwell Park.

Below – proposed field layout for Dickson fields.

Below - National Hockey Centre.

6 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

5. About the City – Accessibility and Convenience 1. Canberra receives direct flights from all mainland

Australian capitals. It is typically a 15 minute drive

from Canberra Airport to the proposed venues.

Folks from Townsville (who attended Easterns

2018), Hobart and NZ-based visitors have the option

to fly to Sydney and then hire a car or take the hourly

bus service.

2. More than 2/3s of AFDA members live within driving

distance of Canberra. Canberra is a less than three

hour drive from Sydney and a less than seven hour

drive from Melbourne. Players from regional NSW

and Victoria drive to Canberra regularly, and

3. Unlike other Australian cities, Canberra has few if

any vehicular congestion issues – you can typically

drive from anywhere in Canberra’s suburbs to the

proposed venues in less than 30 minutes.

4. As a major city of 400,000+ people, Canberra has a

wide range of accommodation options. Vacancy

rates are traditionally high in April, with school

holidays meaning Parliament is not sitting (making

around 2,000 beds available) and there are no

school group visits to Canberra. The National Folk

Festival is held in Canberra over Easter, influencing accommodation availability but providing an

additional attraction to the player experience.

6. Anticipated Player and Volunteer Experience – A Nine Day Event 1. Holding the two events on consecutive weekends offers a superior player and national volunteer

experience, comparable to a week-long international tournament. Over a thousand members of the

Australian Ultimate community will be able to play at their event, spend a couple of days enjoying

Canberra and its surrounds (or engaging in other Ultimate-related activities, including the option of a jaunt

to the Snowy Mountains or Sydney), and spectate at the other tournament.

2. Holding the two events together allows Canberra Ultimate to invest more extensively in providing a range

of merchandise and on-field convenience shopping (coffee, drinks, snacks, etc). Canberra Ultimate’s

deep financial reserves and dedicated storage position it well to order and retain stock. We are better

placed to invest in equipment for the double-event.

3. Uniquely in 2019 full-time workers only need to take three days leave to be able to leave the office on

Easter Thursday 18 April and return on Monday 29 April. For national-level staff and volunteers –

including streaming team Ulti-TV – you’ve only got to travel to one city, not two, reducing costs.

4. Having a single longer event positions us better in seeking sponsorship. The ACT Government has

already invited us to bid for grants via ACT Events, as well as linking the event to sport development

funding.

5. This also positions us to offer a week of diverse social activities. In addition to hosting the traditional

tournament parties on the eve of finals, we are considering:

i. Negotiating discounted entry to Easter Friday at the National Folk Festival.

ii. Trivia Night Fundraiser for ACT Juniors at the end of the first day’s play with a ‘low-drinking’

social activity including ticketed dinner for both D2 and D1 groups.

iii. Easter Sunday Egg Scramble at the fields to facilitate a slightly later game start, plus sharing of

suggested Easter church services for visiting Christian players.

iv. D2 After-Party on Monday night at the National Hockey Centre and Old Canberra Inn. You’ve

played D2, you’re hanging in Canberra for a few days to watch D1, so kick back and enjoy the

After-Party.

v. The game-free Tuesday and Wednesday of the festival could be used by the AFDA for training

or meeting events, including for example a Level 1 Coaching Course or, should it be ready for

delivery, the new Level 2 Course. Development Officer and Board meetings could also be held,

7 Canberra Ultimate Bid to Host 2019 and 2020 National Events

including with the ASC and AIS, as could a one day national schtick championship, an Ultimate

hat, or other fun disc-sport activity.

vi. Pre-D1 Rego Night showing of an Ultimate movie or match in collaboration with the ANU Film

Club.

vii. Fields can be made available for early-arriving AUC teams seeking a last-minute tune up or

practice match.

viii. Canberra has two high quality disc golf courses, and can work with ACT Disc Golf to offer

formal and informal rounds during the festival.

6. Canberra features many iconic attractions that form part of every Aussie’s bucket list, including Parliament

House, the Australian War Memorial, Old Parliament House, the National Gallery, and the National

Museum.

7. And of course, there will be a substantial ‘thank you’ reward and recognition event for all volunteers

afterwards. 2019 is Canberra Ultimate’s 20th Anniversary too.

7. Final Thoughts In Addition to the Above – Why Canberra? Why

Nine Days? Why risk Easter? 1. Holding the two events together allows us to build awareness and momentum in the local Canberra

community and local and national media. It enables both tournaments to be presented as a very major

event with several days of buildup to the Final day on Sunday.

2. Canberra is well positioned for our sport to gain the attention of national and ACT political figures and

senior sporting administrations.

3. The fundraising the event offers Canberra Ultimate is not a primary reason for holding the event, BUT it

has the ability to facilitate our transitioning our part-time Development Officer to full-time.

4. Is there risk? There’s always risk, but (a) Canberra’s deep volunteer and field capacity greatly mitigates

this; (b) the larger size of the event greatly motivates formal risk management rather than a ‘it’ll be right on

the night’ approach, and (c) the Australian Ultimate community will have a lot of notice of the uniqueness

of the events, with a lot of obvious advantages!

5. This doesn’t lock AFDA into do making a nine-day event the way of the future. It’s rare that we have

Easter and ANZAC Day line up this way (it next lines up something like this in 2025). Canberra has a

unique capacity to deliver these two events together. Plus – you’ve giving something new a go with a

tried and tested team and location.

6. Canberra sadly has probably the weakest record in the nation for ‘converting’ local League players into

regular tournament players. We are addressing this through various mechanisms, but hosting the AUCD2

event in Canberra is a key opportunity for us to get our local players on the pathway and have a go at a

large event.

7. SO – if this is a step too far, please consider all of the above also a bid to host AUCD2 in Canberra over

two years on Friday 12 to Sunday 14 April 2019 and Friday 17 – Sunday 19 April 2020.

Above: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull learns about Ultimate.