A story about USA Ultimate’s Youth Growth Grants, funded by The Ultimate Foundation.
The landscape of youth sports felt the tremor of the pandemic, and for many communities, cherished programs vanished. In Central Iowa, a once-burgeoning high school ultimate scene, boasting nearly 15 teams at its peak, found itself back at square one – zero teams, zero structure, zero momentum. The passion hadn’t disappeared, but the framework had crumbled.
Fast forward two years, and a remarkable revival was underway. Driven by dedicated local leadership and amplified by USA Ultimate’s Youth Growth Grant, funded by The Ultimate Foundation, Central Iowa Ultimate (CIU) embarked on an ambitious Spring 2025 season with a clear goal: grow from the two player-led teams established in 2024 to potentially six active programs.
The driving force behind this revival includes Dylan DeClerck, a CIU board member with deep roots in Iowa Ultimate and professional experience in youth development. Witnessing the post-pandemic void, Dylan joined the board specifically to spearhead the rebuilding effort. His motivation was personal: “As a player I fell in love with ultimate frisbee in high school while looking for a non-traditional sport to play that didn’t require the same commitment and experience as many of the other competitive varsity sports at my school,” Dylan shared. “When I joined the board I wanted to ensure that other youth like myself would get the chance to experience and play the sport.”
“When I joined the board I wanted to ensure that other youth like myself would get the chance to experience and play the sport.”
-Dylan DeClerck, Central Iowa Ultimate Board Member & 2024 Team USA Athlete
The grant enabled CIU to invest strategically, particularly in personnel. Bringing on an intern, Sean Fjellman, proved crucial. “Having an intern like Sean has allowed our organization to communicate more consistently with teachers and potential coaches as we establish teams,” Dylan explained. “It has also provided our organization with the opportunity to schedule high school visits during the day, which is the cornerstone of our growth strategy.” This hands-on approach was central to their plan. Throughout the spring, Dylan and Sean executed a targeted outreach strategy, visiting multiple high schools across the region.
A prime example was their work at Southeast Polk High School. They spent two full days running engaging PE classes, introducing dozens of students to Ultimate. This was immediately followed by an after-school session designed as the new team’s very first practice, capturing initial excitement. This model – combining broad exposure in PE with immediate, accessible playing opportunities – was replicated during visits to schools in Des Moines, Indianola, and Johnston as part of the spring initiative.
Crucially, CIU’s strategy extended beyond just introducing the sport. Learning from past experiences where player-led teams often faded, they focused on sustainability. For each potential new school team identified during their outreach, CIU proactively recruited and assigned two coaches from the local community, ready to step in from day one. “Immediately being able to hand off a group of students to a coach who can help organize them has allowed CIU to shift our focus to the next school visit with the confidence that someone already passionate and knowledgeable about ultimate is going to be able to continue the momentum.” Dylan noted. This ensured nascent student interest met consistent adult leadership, building upon the previous year’s success transitioning the initial two teams to coach-led models.
The culmination of these spring efforts was CIU’s State Tournament. “Last year we hosted a state tournament, or more appropriately a state championship game, with just two teams,” Dylan recalled. “This year we’re on track to have at least six teams compete.” This growth symbolized the progress made and CIU’s dedication. “Although it has been a difficult road, our board at CIU is committed to hosting a state tournament every year as the primary youth playing opportunity.” The entire spring season represented a concentrated push to not only increase participation, but also to lay a more sustainable foundation for the future of youth ultimate in the area.
These efforts resonate deeply with the national governing body. “Growing ultimate is going to require trained coaches who can introduce ultimate to kids.” Sam Callan, USA Ultimate’s Youth and Education Programs Manager, shared. “A lot of that training is going to come from local disc organizations and experienced local coaches offering assistance to train new coaches and continue the development of current coaches.”
Central Iowa’s journey offers a compelling blueprint for grassroots youth program development. Their willingness to share their methods – from intern management and school outreach tactics to coach recruitment strategies – underscores the grant’s potential impact beyond their local community. CIU’s experience demonstrates how targeted funding, strategic planning, and dedicated individuals can rapidly revitalize a youth ultimate scene.
The progress in Central Iowa highlights the power of investing in local organizations. As Dylan emphasized, “The support of The Ultimate Foundation’s Youth Growth Grant has been instrumental in creating a future where youth throughout Iowa get the chance to experience and play ultimate frisbee.” He added that without it, relying solely on volunteers, “it would’ve taken many more years to reestablish the sport, and the school visits that are a cornerstone of our growth strategy simply wouldn’t have been possible.” Your contribution to The Ultimate Foundation supports initiatives like CIU’s across the country, providing the resources needed to turn passion into players, plans into programs, and rebuild the future of youth Ultimate.
Want to help bring ultimate to more kids in more communities? Support The Ultimate Foundation today and be a part of making an impact.