If there is not enough interest
or an organizer willing to run a separate women's league in your area, invite
women to participate in already established weekly or monthly league events.
This will allow women players the opportunity to gain skills.
Handicap League Play. This
is a fun way to expose women players to disc golf. All players have a chance to win playing in a handicap league.
New players, including women have the best chances at winning in a handicap
league. If there is a handicap league in your area, encourage every woman
you know to try it. If you are
interested in starting a handicap league in your area, Disc Golf United can provide the information
and resources you need.
Established League Play. Offer a women's division in conjunction with an already organized league (preferably NOT a doubles league). The women players will participate just like all the other players, but within their own division and grouped with other women players. Offer to help the current league director add these divisions. Help collect fees, group players and calculate payouts. Offer to find additional sponsorship, if necessary.
If the only league in your area
is a random draw doubles league you may be able to accommodate women players.
If there are at least four women players present, have the women players
compete against each other. Otherwise, women players must compete like all
other players. When pairing women
with male players there is a risk that a new woman player could be paired with
a player that does not have a desire to play with a new player or even a woman
player. This can be very discouraging for women players and is the main reason
why this format is not recommended for attracting women players.
Before
hosting any event, make sure to follow all park regulations and obtain any required
permits.
Regardless of the type of league offered in your area, here are some suggestions to increase women's participation.
A.
Offer women's division(s). Women may be more likely to play league
if they know that they will not be competing against the men.
B. Group
Women players together. Arrange for at
least one experienced woman player to accompany each group of newer women
players. If this is not possible, have an understanding male player accompany
the group.
C. Lower
league fees. Charge a lower fee or no fee
at all. It may be necessary to find sponsorship to provide some type of payout
or awards to the women players.
D. Award
participation prizes. Offer every new women player a new disc
on her first league session. This will allow women players to receive something
for taking the time to try disc golf and league play. Consider offering special
CTP's or other prizes just for the women's division(s).
E.
Provide appropriate equipment. Ensure
that women players have the opportunity to play with discs that match their
skill level. Offer lightweight, beginner-friendly discs like the Valkyrie,
Leopard, Archangel,
Shark and Aviar.
You may also give away used discs or have “loaner” discs available
for the new women players. By providing suitable discs for new women players,
you increase the chance they will have a more enjoyable experience.
F. Publicize
women's play. Announce the availability of
women's divisions on all league flyers, course bulletin boards and league/club
websites. Encourage current league
players to bring the women in their life to league. Post league information on
the dedicated area of Women's Forum on the PDGA discussion board.
G. Relax
scoring requirements. Allow new women
players to play without keeping score or having players keep score, but not
have to turn in scorecards. Women would simply be playing for experience and/or
participation prizes.
H.
Present Women's Clinics. Consider holding a brief
women's only clinic before or after each league session. This will help women learn the basics
of the game. Click here to get more information about hosting a women's
clinic.
I.
Raise awareness among male players. Many of the rules and customs of disc golf are
second nature to men as they may have more experience playing sports. Remind
men to have patience with the women players and provide as much encouragement
as possible.
If the only league in your area is
a random draw doubles league you may be able to accommodate women players. If
there are at least four women players present, have the women players compete
against each other. Otherwise, women players must compete like all other
players. There is a risk that a
new woman player could be paired with a player that does not have a desire to
play with a new player or even a woman player. This can be very discouraging
for women players and is the main reason why this format is not recommended for
attracting women players.