Dear member Federations

As a consequence of the new Open format and on the transfer of Ireland from the South to the West region there is following bids distribution for the EUCF2017

There have been a early misscommunication of the bids for the West region in the Open division. We apologize for that.

Evaluation of the current format of EUCF

The EUF board has evaluated the current situation of European Ultimate and the format of the EUCF within the board members and the help of a small survey that was sent to specific teams only (not to exclude some, but to get an idea of some opinions). Current questions are:

- Numbers of teams at EUCF (16, 24, 32)

- Changing 8 Elite and 16 Challengers into 12/12 which possibly better represents the strength of the teams (but also makes it less „elite“)

- How to distribute Elite spots: currently 1 spot guaranteed for each region is controversial

- Is a separation into Elite and Challenger pools still necessary at all

Format Changes

Several format changes have been discussed and the EUF has come to the following conclusions: 

- A separation into Elite and Challenger is no longer necessary

- Eliminating the separation into elite and challenger pool has many advantages that overweigh the few disadvantages

- EUCR remains important even without elite-pools 

Conclusion

- The new Format will be one Open division only: 6 pools of 4 teams (top 16 proceed to pre-quarters)

- The format will be changed as for EUCF 2017 (Results of already played qualifiers EUCR-C were checked and are not affected)

Thoughts on format change in Open division

The original idea of forming an Elite pool was when format changed from 16 to 24 open teams but the level gap of teams was higher than it is now. In order to prevent blowout games and give teams more equal opponents throughout the EUCF, an elite-pool of 8 teams was formed. This would also make EUCR more interesting, as elite-qualified teams would have increased chances at EUCF. The level of Open teams at EUCF has increased since then and the EUF thinks that the separation into elite and challenger pool is not necessary anymore. Also, benefits of the new format are overweighing the current format in many aspects which are:

- Same chance for everyone to win the title, not giving more advantage to elite teams than to others

- Same amount of games*

- Elimination of distribution issues of elite-spots amongst regions

- EUCR is still very important (a good result at EUCR gives you better chances of winning EUCF)

- Schedule is easy to understand (also for spectators) 

*With 24 teams it’s unpreventable that some play less games than others, so seven games for 1-16 and six games for 17-24

The EUF apologizes for the rather late notice, especially to EUCR - Central teams who have played qualifications already. The schedule and results have been checked and the new format doesn’t affect any of the results.

Future considerations

The EUF is observing the level and development of teams in Europe and will consider to increase the numbers of Mens teams to 32 teams at two different tournaments (16/16) if necessary and appropriate

Dear member federations

The EUF is happy to announce that the Education & Development Committee appointed Davide Morri from the Federazione Italiana Flying Disc (FIFD) as "EUF Trainer Instructor". He will be responsible to plan and run the Train the Trainer Program in Debrecen on July 14th-16th. EUF will adopt the FIFD Level 1 Trainer Manual for this first camp, which will coved following points:

• Role and Reposibilities of a Trainer
• How to teach the Spirit of the Game
• How to teach fondamentals (throws and catches)
• EUF approved FIFD Drill Book: Methodology, Skill Level, Context for different drills
• Didactic progression for schools and beginner teams
• Adapt drills to space, players' number and skill level
• How to plan and structure training

Davide Morri is 34 years old and he is Lecture of Ultimate at the Sport University of Bologna. He is FIFD Level 3 (highest level possible) Trainer since 2010. He has developed as member of the FIFD Education and Development Committee the actual Italian Trainer Curriculum, which he has applied for several years in Italy and in other coutries for the development of junior and student programs. His core team is CUSB Bologna but he played various seasons for FAB and for teams in the USA and in South America.

Davide will be assited in Debrecen by Marc Michael "Schlumpf" Huber from the Austrian Federation and from Leontine Sonneveldt from the Dutch Flying Disc Association.

Schlumpf is in progress of obtaining an official Trainer License from the Austrian National Sport Committee and worked as Trainer and played in almost all continents.

Leo is a certified Trainer and has a master degree at the Johann Cruyff Institute. She has been coaching for almost 15 years at club and national team level. She is running the trainer level 1 course of the Dutch Federation.

Together with Davide and with other trainer professionals, they will enhance the FIFD Trainer Curriculum and create a EUF one, which can be used by other EUF members that haven't an own one yet.

We wish Leo, Davide, Schlumpf and all other Trainer Professionals that will volunteer to create the EUF Trainer Curriculum all the best for this extremely important task for the development of Ultimate in Europe!

Dear Ultimate Community

In January 2017 WFDF and USA-Ultimate officially declared Eurodisc 175g 4.0 Organic (Hot Stamp) Ultimate Disc as approved Championship Level Ultimate disc: http://www.usaultimate.org/resources/disc_standards.aspx

After an exhaustive internal evaluation, EUF decided to start an official partnership with Eurodisc. Eurodisc will be the official disc partner for all European Youth Ultimate Events 2017 (EYUCup 2017 in Debrecen and EYUC 2017 in Veenendaal). All games at these events will be played with Eurodisc 175g 4.0 Organic Ultimate Discs. If both teams agree, the use of a different game disc will be tolerated.

Luca Miglioretto, EUF Board Member and winner of many Windmill Pull-Contests evaluated the Eurodisc 175g 4.0 Organic (Hot Stamp) Ultimate Disc for the EUF:

What’s different between Discraft and Eurodiscs?

As all non-Discraft Ultimfate Discs, Eurodisc is more stable (falls towards Inside quicker), and actually the Eurodisc is balanced very well, which others are not. It is more stable than Discraft, which is a good thing, but not too stable like Daredevil.

How will it affect players?

Eurodisc is in general slightly forgiving on unclean technique. This means it’s easier to throw for beginners. Also, Eurodiscs are easier to huck than Discraft. They stay upright and float longer. Discraft requires a much better&”clean" technique. Starting from zero, players will be able to handle the Eurodisc better than Discraft, and being able to huck easier will result in a more interesting game in general.

Dear member federations 

The EUF officially opens the call for bids for the EUCF 2018. This will assign the title of European Club Champion in the division Open, Women, Mixed.

Deadlines and requirements are here.

Shortly we will also open the call for bids for the EUC 2019 (National Teams in the Divisions Men, Women, Mixed) and EMUC (National Teams in the Divisions Men Masters, Women Masters, Mixed Masters).

After the summer we will also open the call for bids for the EUCF 2019.

Please consider that only federations can bid or clubs/individuals with a letter of reference from a EUF member federation.