PUL Player Sponsorship Program 2020: Day 1 Reflections
The following post was originally shared on VC CEO Adriana Withers' Facebook page.
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Hi Friends - especially ultimate peeps. But, actually, anyone who thinks that doing things differently can be a good thing, and that breaking the status quo is how we make change.
We're 28 hours into a fundraising initiative to help change the landscape of our sport, and my mind is blown.
The Premier Ultimate League is one of VC Ultimate's most important partners. For the last several months our team has been hustling to get a Player Sponsorship Program launched with the league. 320 players are/were available to be sponsored four times for $150/each, the vast majority of which goes to the team to help kick of their season.
Why? Because we all (the PUL, PUL teams and VC) believe that ultimate - as a community and a sport - is unique and can do things differently. That equitable action matters and that the current professional sports model is broken. That you have to put your heart, time and money where your mouth is if you want to effect change.
Our community has spoken: We've raised more than $170k in 1 day. One day. IN ONE DAY our friends, family and fans have stepped up to make sure that young womxn, a term used to be inclusive to trans and non-binary athletes, CAN BE WHAT THEY SEE.
As of right now, there are still sponsorships left. Drop me a line and I'll point you in the right direction.
More importantly, give the PUL a look and follow along with a professional sports league who's mission is:
To achieve equity in the sport of ultimate by increasing accessibility to and visibility of womxn* players through high-quality competition, leadership experiences, and community partnerships. Our league strives for gender, racial, and economic diversity in the sport of ultimate frisbee.
In closing, I'll just say that I'm so very proud to have the PUL athletes competing in VC jerseys - our first main group to embrace our transition to non-binary, fit-based sizing. I'm so proud of the VC HQ team for living our values and going the extra mile/kilometer to make this happen. I'm so proud to be part of this movement. Thank you for that, PUL.
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You can support the Premier Ultimate League by sporting their gear! Check out their collection here.