OCUA Announces New Gender Equity Initiatives

OCUA Gender Equity Vision OCUA recognizes gender as a spectrum. We are striving to achieve a membership that is reflective of our Ottawa community with an equal representation of women and men (cis and trans) as well as increased representation of trans, non-binary, and two-spirit players.

• Rule A (“prescribed ratio” rule): At the start of the game, after the first disc flip, an additional disc flip happens with the winner selecting the gender ratio for the first point. For the second and third points the ratio must be the reverse of the first point. For the fourth and fifth points the ratio must be the same as the first point. This pattern of alternating the ratio every two points repeats until the end of the game (half time has no impact on the pattern). Ref WFDF Rules A6.2

• Rule B (“endzone decides” rule): At the start of the game, after the first disc flip, an additional disc flip happens with the winner selecting which end zone is "End zone A", with the other end zone becoming "End zone B". At the start of each point the Team that is at End zone A must choose the gender ratio. This process applies for the first half. For the second half, at the start of each point the Team that is at End zone B must choose the gender ratio. Ref WFDF Rules A6.3

​​Both of these options offer advantages and disadvantages. Rule A ensures that there will be gender-balanced play time within a game but may be difficult for some teams to fulfill without providing the flexibility and time to adjust rosters. Rule B, by contrast, provides more flexibility but does not guarantee gender equity should teams continue to opt for the traditional 4O:3W ratio.

OCUA is committed to achieving gender equity and plans to improve the recruitment and retention of women to the point that Rule A can be broadly adopted. OCUA members have expressed a desire for gender equity but also requested time to adjust their rosters. This is why OCUA has chosen to adopt Rule B for Summer as the first step of a transition plan towards Rule A in the coming years.  From Summer 2023 onwards, the percentage of league offerings using Rule A will be increased in line with what is sustainable by membership demographics.  

2. ​Introducing new gender roster categories
​Sports typically operate within a gender binary framework: women’s divisions, men’s divisions, and co-ed divisions. At OCUA, we recognize that gender is actually a spectrum. We want players with diverse genders to feel welcome and included while also ensuring a fair playing experience for all. To that end, we are pleased to announce our new gender roster categories for mixed gender leagues, which came into effect the Summer 2022 season: 

• Women, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit (WN2): may include women (cis and trans), non-binary players, and two-spirit players
• Open, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit (ON2): may include men (cis and trans), women (cis and trans), non-binary players, and two-spirit players

We do not distinguish between cis- and trans- for purposes of roster categories. Non-binary and two-spirit players may participate as their authentic selves, without having to conform to the man/woman binary in order to play Ultimate. Instead, women, non-binary, and two-spirit members will have the choice of joining WN2 or ON2 based on their preferred and most appropriate match-up on the field.*  

OCUA respects the gender identity of each of its members and will never require proof of gender. We trust our members and expect gender identification and preferred match-up selection to be made honestly, with Spirit of the Game in mind, and never with the intention of gaining an unfair advantage.