Layout June 2007, Volume 2

You have spoken and we have not only listened, but returned to the City of Toronto and aggressively voiced your concerns. With respect to the Sunnybrook cricket fields, the City of Toronto has relented and lightened its no-cleat rule from ‘prohibited’ to ‘preferred’. Therefore cleat use on the Sunnybrook cricket fields will be allowed at this time. However the City asks that we use proper judgment in assessing the field conditions and respecting the playing surface. That means if you are tearing up the field it is advised that you repair the field and change your footwear to a running shoe or turf shoe. If the City finds that we are disrespecting the cricket fields by tearing them up with cleats, our permit status on these fields is still in jeopardy. We ask you to comply with this recommendation.

This same principle will apply for Eglinton Flats Hockey Field #7 and G. Ross Lord Park.

In light of the City’s softened stance on this issue, the Toronto Ultimate Club will now rescind its no cleat rule that was introduced on June 5. This policy may be reactivated in 2008 or beyond should the City of Toronto change its policy again.

Previous league games that were played on these fields and the resulting scores will stand and there will not be replacement games. We will continue to do our best to fairly cycle all teams through these premier grade fields.

We apologize for the inconveniences that this may have caused, but in the end we have acquired what you have asked for and done so in accordance with the rules of the City of Toronto. We hope that you enjoy the remainder of the summer season and we thank all members for their valuable input!

A warning to all teams and players that on a few evenings in July we may be required to re-allocate our field designations on fairly short notice. Some of you may have already noticed the soccer field lines on Field Hockey 2 and part of Field Hockey 3 at Sunnybrook Park. This space is being used as a training space for the FIFA Under 20’s World Championships. Most team training sessions will be in the daytime, but we have been asked by the City to accommodate any possible night-time training field requests. This means we would have to run games North-South on Field Hockey 1, and other games would possibly be held on Hockey 3-4 (running West-East) depending on the night of the week. Should this happen we will contact teams as soon as possible to alert them of the changes. For now though, play on as scheduled and per the TUC Sunnybrook field layout for 2007. You can run your field setup over top of the soccer lines. We ask you to double-check the field layout and instructions for Sunnybrook Field Hockey throughout your games for the month of July.

Photos, courtesy of www.craigstephenphotography.com, have now been posted. Click on this links for some great action shots!

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What is Spirit of the Game (SOTG)? It’s only the most IMPORTANT aspect of the great game of Ultimate, the underlying principle that governs our sport and separates us from the rest. Playing with Spirit doesn’t just mean sing a song after a game (although that is a fun and Spirited thing to do!), it means respecting your teammates, opponents, the rules, the community, and the game. SOTG means being honest and fair with yourself and with others on the field, as well as believing that they too are being the same. Playing with Spirit means that you accept there will be different perspectives on the field, and that you will calmly discuss those perspectives with your opponents. SOTG means you will avoid making contact with your opponents if possible. It means you will pick someone up when they fall, and apologize if you were perceived to be the reason they fell. SOTG means win or lose, you treat your opponents and your teammates the same way; with appreciation, with a smile, and with a high five after the game congratulating them on a fun competition. SOTG means showing up on time (game started ideally at 6:45pm and no later than 7pm). Playing with Spirit means involving and encouraging weaker players on your team. It also means correcting or stopping your teammates when they are not playing with Spirit. If things get heated in your game, remember SPIRIT OF THE GAME PREVAILS. Call a timeout. Captains and players talk to your teams. Talk to each other. Be fair. Be respectful. Wins and losses come and go, but what really matters is the game that we share and the relationships that we create through the great game of Ultimate.

Remember – ALWAYS PLAY WITH SPIRIT!

Sincerly,

The TUC Team

 

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