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Recruitment Knowledge Sharing
The UKU University Ultimate Committee put out a survey at the beginning of 2025 to collect ideas, knowledge and resources from university committee members regarding recruitment. This page is where we are sharing this.
Hopefully there might be some ideas other universities have done that you want to give a go, or maybe it gives you inspiration for something else.
Freshers fair
Freshers fair
The importance of freshers fair was clear from all of the responses we got! For most people it's the first time they are exposed to or hear about Ultimate so it's such a valuable moment.
Here are some thoughts that people shared:
Having a mix of female-matching players (FMP) and male-matching players (MMP) managing the table AND available to walk around the fair -> this shows the mixed element of our Ultimate clubs and the sport!
Having something interactive - highlight videos, skytrainer, throwing (if there's space), small game they can play?
Ensuring that the current members managing the table are enthusiastic and are aware of Ultimate's various benefits to be able to tailor their 'pitches' to whoever is in front of them. Sharing a couple of these key main reasons (listed below) that may attract people to Ultimate with members managing the stall could be very useful so that they can feel confident and informed.
Competitive - for sporty people who want competitive sport, Ultimate can offer tournaments and BUCS games. Possible GB opportunities down the line i.e. some players who began at University make the GB Under 24 Squad.
Meet new people - Ultimate has a mixed, women's and open division so get to meet lots of people. Weekend tournaments can be a great chance to socialise. Weekly socials allow consistent meetups. Combination of beginner trainings and whole club trainings can allow you to get to know the whole club.
Friendly to beginners - The majority of Ultimate players begin at University so you will be in the same boat. Things like beginners trainings and beginners tournaments are all aimed to help you improve and get to learn.
Connection to a wider community - some universities have links to local Ultimate clubs. This can provide a community outside of the University bubble, and can also provide people with more opportunities to play Ultimate.
Additional notes:
Being enthusiastic - we cannot stress the importance of this enough. Existing club members should go out of their way to approach people, bring them to the Ultimate stall at freshers fair and engage them in conversation. Remember how nerve-wracking it felt at fresher's fair - an enthusiastic and freindly person can make a BIG impact. In addition, many people will only go up to the 1 or 2 stalls they’re interested in, which may not be Ultimate, so think about how you start the conversation!
From our survey:
"You have to be active… You have to stand up, and show that you want people to be a part of your society, otherwise they won't care. We often spend a lot of time convincing people to come over to the stall, to see what ultimate is about, and we look silly, but it works for that 10th person that is interested and joins the society."
Almost half of people who answered the survey mentioned meeting their Ultimate club at freshers fair - don't under-estimate how important the fair is for your club!
Taster sessions
Taster sessions
Having a clear plan that all the members are roughly aware of so they can help out effectively
Making sure you have enough existing members to cope and manage the number of people who attend taster sessions
Hosting a Female Matching Players taster session
Having a social after the taster session where people can ask some more questions and get to know current members a little bit. Some examples that were mentioned : pub trip, BBQ and a showcase game where people could chat and join in with the experienced players
Additional Notes:
Being friendly - 70% of people decided to become a member of Ultimate, after their first taster session or training, because people were ‘friendly’, ‘welcoming’ or had connected with them on a personal level.
One person said: “After that first session was really fun everyone was really friendly and I felt already I had been accepted by them. The other societies I tried ... didn't have those feelings.”
Committee/returning members should go out of their way to throw with and chat to freshers. At taster sessions, at trainings, at socials and beginner tournaments. It’s so tempting to catch up with your friends after the summer, but having a proper chat with a fresher will probably make the difference between them returning or not. In drills and at socials, spread returning members throughout groups of freshers. Don’t sit with or throw with people you already know. Add the people you’ve met on social media. Even better, invite them for pints/a team meal/coffee later in the week. Make sure you say ‘see you next time’ and mean it.
Word of mouth - this is so powerful. Many people join ultimate because a friend told them about it or brought them along. Having a specific ‘bring a friend’ session (free / no membership required) a few weeks into the first semester could pick up some people who are still looking for a sport.
Planning "give-it-a-go", taster and early training sessions
Planning "give-it-a-go", taster and early training sessions
Careful planning (and avoiding winging it) can really help these sessions run smoothly! Things to think about that will make a difference:
When are we setting up pitches?
Who is setting them up?
What are the participants doing during this time?
How are we sorting people into teams (also bearing in mind you might have people show up that you're not expecting)?
When are we explaining the rules?
What are we going to keep people busy with whilst everyone is arriving?
Have we sent out some reminders in advance? With all that is going on at the beginning of the academic year, people can quickly forget plans - a reminder of a session with a message of encouragement, enthusiasm and what to bring could help people remember and motivate them to get there!
Resources for "give-it-a-go", taster and early training sessions
Resources for "give-it-a-go", taster and early training sessions
Think about other events
Think about other events
Hosting / attending beginner tournaments. Great chance for new members to get a glimpse at what Ultimate can be like in a wider environment. Take a look at more info here about oppotunities to enter fun competitions.
Run multiple taster sessions throughout the year to give people the opportunity to join Ultimate later on. You might want to taregt a session around the time other sports clubs complete their trial process as some students might find Ultimate at this point.
Posters
Posters
Some Unis put out posters around campus to try and encourage people to come along to taster sessions / join Ultimate.
Here are some examples from the University of Nottingham
Resources shared by Uni clubs
Resources shared by Uni clubs
We reachout out to Univeristy clubs to ask for their help! What do you do that works during Freshers? How do you recruit and retain players? What do you do to get people hooked on Ultimate? Check out the resources in the google folder linked below. If you have something you could share, please drop us an email, uku-university-committee@googlegroups.com
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