Gender Identity Inclusion, Rule Updates, Pride Round 2023

February 16, 2023 - one year ago

Urban Rec is proud to announce that we have recently updated our gender identity options across member profiles, the registration process, and rules within our club. 

While Urban Rec has always been LGBTQI+ friendly, the functionality of being able to offer places on team rosters for those that don’t identify as man or woman, has not been possible…Till now. 

We believe that all Australian’s should have access to social sports. We welcome all people, of any gender identity to join Urban Rec and benefit from the physical and mental health benefits that come with playing social sport. Urban Rec aims to provide a supportive and inclusive space for everyone, now and always. 

HERE ARE THE SMALL, BUT IMPORTANT CHANGES

1. Players can select a gender identity other than man or woman when creating their member profile.
2. Individual teams will have space available on team rosters for people who are non-binary, transitioning etc. 
3. Our sports rules have been updated to remove references to gender advantages or disadvantages in the context of scoring, defending, or positioning.
4. Urban Rec has become a member of Pride in Sport, a national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations at all levels. 

WHY ARE WE NOT MAKING ALL LEAGUES OPEN? I.E. NO GENDER REQUIREMENTS

Urban Rec has long been at the forefront of efforts to drive gender equity in the social sports environment. While many of our counterparts in the adult recreation space claim to be facilitating mixed-gender environments, there are very few other adult recreation providers that are facilitating exclusively mixed-gender leagues with the minimum inclusion requirements that we have long held to be fundamental to our programs.

All sports need to have a minimum gender identity requirement. Without gender identity requirements within a mixed sports environment we would unfortunately take away the equity of women, men and non-binary individuals having access to play in a mixed-gender, social, fun and fair environment. Simply stated, we would become a male dominated sports club. 

MORE ON RULE UPDATES

• Our sports rules have been updated to remove references to gender advantages or disadvantages in the context of scoring, defending, or positions. 
• Where appropriate physical advantages and disadvantages have been taken into consideration.
• These include Touch Football, Basketball, Softball, Flag Gridiron and Netball.
• These rules are now live within your member dashboard and on our website.

ACKNOWLEDGE THESE CHANGES WITH URBAN REC’S FIRST PRIDE ROUND

• Pride Round is happening nationally within all Urban Rec cities, Feb 20 till 24, 2023.
• To acknoledge all of our LGBTQI+ community as well as the additional announcements and updates.
• We welcome players to wear some rainbow to show their support.
• In Sydney, Our Party Cart will be attending a league each night with support from our sponsor, Young Henrys.
• Donate what you can for a sausage and a beer towards Access Social Sports, and PrideCup.
• What is Access Social Sports? Check out our instagram post here.

WHAT DO URBAN REC MEMBERS NEED TO DO?

Get to know your updated rules, continue to play with kindness and fairness. If you have a question about someone's gender identity before, during or after a game, talk to your Event Host. Urban Rec has zero tolerance for homophopia, biphobia and transphobia. 

These updates are new for our club and an ever-progressive process for us all. We will not get this right the first time, and we do not pretend to have it all figured out, but we promise we are trying our best. Through our membership with Pride in Sport and the input from our LGBTQI+ community, we will continue to update and evolve as necessary. Our commitment is enduring. 

If you have any questions or suggestions about the policy or updates, please contact [email protected] 

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Netball experience life changing for Emma Bastable

February 15, 2023 - one year ago

Emma Bastable (far right) pictured with her teammates. 

By Renae Smyth

Transgender netballer Emma Bastable first started playing in the Urban Rec Netball league in Sydney’s inner suburb of Redfern in 2018. 

A mixed social competition that Emma signed up for as an individual on a whim. A daunting step to take, given she didn’t know her teammates or the rules of the game.

Although, having played cricket, rugby and soccer growing up, Emma knew the rules and friendships would come later. So, for now, she focused on the fun and the opportunity to switch off from her days, working as a solicitor.

Taking more than eight years away from playing any sport, Emma admits there was always a concern in the back of her mind. An uneasy feeling that she may not be accepted by her team or the club.

“I was worried about the transgender stuff at first, I think that was one of the reasons why I hadn’t played sport for so long,” she said.

To her surprise, her gender was never a problem.

“It was totally not a big deal. Everyone accepted me and validated me in my gender. It was just never an issue,” she said.

Emma felt the support of fellow teammates and instantly felt welcome. Pulling on the GK bib for ‘The Flinstones’ felt right.

“I got really lucky in a way. I met a group of people that I really liked,” she said.

“The team was super supportive. I told them that I had never played netball before, so they were giving me tips and helping me along the way.”

Emma now plays multiple nights a week in five different teams and can’t imagine life without the game.  

“Netball has become such a huge part of my life and a big part of my identity.

“Having positive experiences over and over again has just made it easy to slowly start to play in more leagues and progress my abilities.

“I don’t know what I would be doing with a lot of my time if I hadn’t had such a good experience [with netball].”

The community netballer has thrown her support behind Netball Australia’s recent announcement of policy guidelines for inclusion of transgender and gender diverse athletes in the elite competitions.

“Diverse representation at higher levels is just so important for making everyone feel welcome in the leagues and in the teams.

“Kids look up to high-profile players and if they decide to pursue netball more seriously as a career, it is comforting to know that it’s an option for them. An option for everyone.”

To Emma, knowing the netball community has provided pathways and opportunities for others like her within the sport brings a level of acceptance, but hopes to see more engagement at the grassroots level.

“It’s really important for transgender people to be accepted and given the opportunity and to know that someone out there has there back.

“It takes a lot to take that first step of signing up for a community sport and if you have a bad experience, it could be enough to disincentivise you to stop playing sport all together.

“Encouraging  transgender people to participate in community sport goes a long way to changing attitudes and normalising acceptance of us and showing that we’re just out there doing our own thing and living a normal life.”

Emma will be a voice within the transgender and gender diverse community that will work with Netball Australia and netball member organisations as they develop policy guidelines for inclusion of transgender and gender diverse netballers at a community level.

Taking that brave step onto the court is an experience that Emma believes has changed her life and the person she has become, very much for the better.

“I’ve made so many friends through netball, friends that I never would have met before if I wasn’t playing netball,” she said.

“It allows me to be a better person and live a better life than I otherwise would be.”

For the original post from Netball Australia: https://netball.com.au/news/netball-experience-life-changing-emma-bastable 

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Sorry my dog ate my bibs...

February 14, 2023 - one year ago

This way, you keep your bibs and the world is a better place!

Urban Rec have teamed up with a sportswear manufacturer to design and make Urban Rec reversible Netty Bibs. No team will ever colour clash again!

Over the last 12 years exactly 2,334,345 sets of Netball bibs have not been returned at the end of the season. A further 5,345,232 sets of Netball bibs have been replaced due to missing GK & C positions. 400,000 have been eaten by the dog and 356,987 sets entered the washing machine to never be seen again… …So we’ve decided that instead of shoveling a monumental amount of aussie dollars into the ever growing netball bib furnace, we are going to make all new sets available to purchase online HERE.

Joining forces with Access Social Sport these bibs will be available to purchase HERE - 100% of the funds raised will be received in its entirety by the beneficiaries of Access Social Sports charitable donations. Every Set is a Donation to an amazing cause.

More on Access Social Sport and the causes it helps.

UR HQ

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January: Most Valuable Host

January 31, 2023 - one year ago

Our most Valuable Host for the month of January is Rachel Coulter!!! 😍

Rachel topped our leaderboard for the most shifts completed in the month of Jan. Coming back from Christmas is always a difficult period with host availability, but Rachel stepped up in a big way putting her hand up for some extra shifts, really helping Urban Rec HQ out! She even compiled the perfect week! Hosting all days from Monday Jan 9th – Friday Jan 14th. We will have to check the UR archives and go back through the history books, but this might just be a first. 🏆

Not only is Rachel forever reliable, but she is one of our better Hosts, always making sure members are enjoying themselves creating an awesome vibe at her leagues.😁

Members loves Rachel (please see above image: members making Rachel a baked cookie at her Multisport Tempe league!). 👩‍🍳

Thank you Rachel and well done. If you see her around at your leagues (I am sure you will), give her a big congrats!!! 👏

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Deflation Not Inflation $

January 12, 2023 - one year ago

Deflation.

 INflation, INflation, INflation… it’s all we seem to hear (and feel lol) at the moment and to be quite honest we are sick to death of it over here so we wanna try out a new word… DEflation. Deflation is the word of the week.

As we enter the 4th quarter of the year we have already seen inflation rates rise to 7.3% nationwide in the first 3 quarters :-/ .

During this time UR made the decision not to Inflate our pricing even as our costs rose, this was in an effort to keep our promise of aiming to make sport accessible to as many people as possible.

We’ve now decided to go one better (we must be mad!) - we wanna DEFLATE the pinch in the pocket that little bit more, for you, our beloved members…So here’s your 7.3% back (for 7 days) -7.3% for 7 days starting Jan 16th 2023 - EVERY LEAGUE REGO FEE will be reduced by 7.3% (cheeky 14.6% hit for UR but you're worth it).

Week beginning 16th Jan 2023 we will be doing a Flash sale called Deflation. Deflation is at 7.3% (rounded to the nearest suitable figure) reduction in team and indie rego fees. It is a 7 day Flash sale open to every league we have available. This flash sale really can't be honored outside this 7 day timeframe (or we’d deflate into insolvency lol) so get your squads in gear and put some pennies back in your pockets.

UR HQ

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Captains POWER (Priority Registration)

September 14, 2022 - 2 years ago

Not only will priority registration secure your spot in the league for next season, but it will also give you complete POWER and CONTROL over those slowcoaches that missed out!What is priority registration you ask??? Priority registration is 1 FULL week where YOU the captain of your current team get the chance to register for next season before the public get the chance to steal the remaining spots. S4 will be our most popular season during as we cruise into the warmer months, so don’t be THAT captain that cops an earful from your team mates for missing out! Rego’s will dry up quick…The following are the CAPTAIN’S POWER in which you will receive:

• SCHEDULING POWER: I am sure everyone is extremely busy throughout silly season – birthday’s, work drinks, team dinners… stress less! Captains will have the power to send through two scheduling requests. You will have the opportunity to request early or late games on specific dates to ensure that you can attend BOTH your Urban Rec game and whatever you’ve got planned.
• PRIORITY TEAM COLOUR: Do you always have a favourite team colour and then realise other teams wear that exact same colour? Register in priority registration and you can block other teams from wearing the team colour in which you desire.
• CHOOSE YOUR THEME NIGHT: Have the say of which theme you would like your league to run with. 80s? 90s? Superheros? The ball is in your court when deciding what you must make your opposing teams (as well as yourselves) dress up as for an entire evening’s sports.
• YOUR VERY OWN LEAGUE ACTIVATION: If you have been a member of ours long enough you would surely have been made aware that we love spoiling you lot with beers, party carts, pub nights etc. Register during priority registration and you will pick the exact date of when we will spoil your league with an activation, mark it in the calendar…
• EXTRA FUN POINT POWER PLAY: How good are our fun point prizes (fireball, sheepdog, mint t-shirts)... Be one step closer to these awesome prizes. Pick one week where you can add an additional point to your fun point score - who know this could be the difference!
• BE THE DJ: At the beginning of the season you can choose your own playlist or genre for our Event Host to especially play for you!

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Priority Registration Week is on Monday September 26th – Sunday October 2nd. Power Hungry Captains, get in quick!!!

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T&C’s

• Captains power requests (scheduling, team colour, theme night and activation date) must be made during priority registration week (Sep 26 – Oct 2). Any requests made outside this date wont make the cut.
• The full registration amount must be paid during priority registration (This can include a D\deposit and remaining balance within the week)
• Theme night & activation night will be decided by a majority rule in the league.
• Team colour will be accomodated in order of whichpower hungry team captain replies first!

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NEWSLETTER ONLY DISCOUNT CODE

September 2, 2022 - 2 years ago

HELLO, 

YOU JUST UNLOCKED OUR SECRET (NEWSLETTER ONLY) CODE TO GET $30 OFF REGISTRATION. 

USE THE CODE DIRTY30 TO GET $30 OFF ANY REGISTRATION 

Discount expires on Monday 9^th September at 12noon. 

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5 Things to Do if You Are Not Going to Europe This Month

July 21, 2022 - 2 years ago

If you have been or are going to Europe, you can stop reading now. We don’t care...

If you are loving this Sydney weather and cannot get enough of this rain, then read on. Whose to say that we can’t still be experiencing amazing new things while still in our hometown? We have complied some new experiences to tantalise your interests.

1. Go for a Float – Sensory Floatation Pods

This is a sensory overload packed with health benefits. It’s warm, it’s dark and oh-so-salty. Not only will you escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney-living, but you will also lower your blood pressure and maximise your oxygen to the body. Urban Rec’s gym partner Strive Fitness have a salt therapy room and tanks.

1. Learn to play Floor Hockey

Floor Hockey is as close as you can get to Ice Hockey, but not on ice. This league is perfect for people who want to learn to play and have a good time. There are a few yanks rolling around, but don’t worry, they know how to play fair. This league runs in Camperdown on Wednesday nights.

1. Try Axe Throwing

Axe throwing is a very primal way to explore your anger and resentment. Maniax have several locations across Sydney and Urban Rec members get only $25 you can throw as many axes at the wall as you desire.

RAINY DAY OFFER: If your Urban Rec game is impacted due to weather, head into MANIAX @ Marrickville for a 1hr Quick Chuck axe throwing session for only $20, and a half price drink voucher. 
🔓 USE URBANREC20 PROMO CODE AT MANIAX.COM.AU (YOU NEED TO BOOK AHEAD)

ANYTIME OFFER: Urban Rec members will receive 10% off any Axe Throwing session @ MANIAX Marrickville.
🔓 USE URBANREC210 DURING THE CHECKOUT PROCESS AT MANIAX.COM.AU 

1. Get tickets to our Netball Festival

This charity Tournament coming up on August 13th is going to be a fun and fancy way to show off your netty-wares. As one of our most popular sports, the fight for top spot will be highly contested. The best part, it’s all raising money for Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation through Access Social Sport. Lay to sleep knowing you have done a good thing.

1. Count your money

If all else fails, open your bank app and think about the extra $5-10,000 you would not have if you were off “making memories”. We are not bitter at all.

The article was written by Madeleine Wilkie

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The Modern-Day Side Hustle – Urban Rec Hosting

July 21, 2022 - 2 years ago

Every dick and his dog seem to have a side hustle these days, Uber drivers, Deliveroo cyclists, selling old shit on Marketplace. Some people have started side hustle companies, developing apps, investing in bit-coin. What is next? Well, for the everyday sports fan, subscribing to Kayo does not come cheap, so Urban Rec Event Hosting might just be the side hustle you need to afford those ridiculous petrol prices.

You don’t need to be a qualified referee or umpire – in fact, we would prefer you weren’t. All we want if for you to understand the intricacies of your sport, have a passion and be willing to teach the new people in your league the rules. 

If you like making people’s lives better, then this could be for you. Without sounding like a bunch of wankers, being an Event Host, changes lives. People have been socially disconnected for so long and getting social in a sporting environment has been an intimidating choice. Our hosts are trained to make special

It’s simple to be involved. Once your league is assigned it’s yours for the 10-week season. You get handed a brand-new uniform, equipment and speaker and your League Manager will make sure you get a warm welcome to meet the players and captains. Your roster is sent out weekly and your payments go through every Monday. Goodbye weekend spending guilt!

The staff perks are good! You can play for free in any other league of your choice. We host insanely good social nights which act as a fun way to meet more like-minded people. Some cities even offer extra incentive for you to cover shifts on an ad-hoc basis.

The pay is generous. Starting at $30 per hour of potential tax-free earnings, this is a good gig. You get paid to train and you get paid to be a part of a fun-loving community.

“I love hosting, it’s the best part of my week, I legit just forget my daily troubles” – RyRy

“Great Money for Beers on Weekends" - Max

"I Love Creating an environment that's almost like one big group of friends where everyone is there to have a great time together" - Kia

"I enjoy the social aspects of meeting new people, making friends and enjoying a good beer" - Andi

"I get Paid to hang out with awesome people who become good friends over seasons" - Rachel

Choose a location and night that suit you and start making money in your side hustle as soon as next week. The process for applying is simple and easy and you get trained in everything you need to know.

The article was written by Skiddlebert Diddlepopper

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Urban Rec launches in Melbourne

July 1, 2022 - 2 years ago

Dust off your runners Melbourne - there’s a new fun-first social sport league kicking off this winter and they care more about making new friends than how good you are with balls

This week in Melbourne registrations opened for the biggest mixed social sport league in town, Urban Rec, where fun and making new friends is taken very seriously. The inclusive, mixed league is launching four playing locations across Melbourne - CBD (Docklands, Southbank), Inner East (Fitzroy, Richmond, Collingwood), and Inner North (Carlton, Parkville, North Melbourne) this winter to help tackle loneliness and isolation post pandemic.

Julie Sweet, a clinical psychotherapist in Sydney, says many of us are out of practice in conducting friendships post-COVID and that we are now experiencing the anxiety of reconnecting. Sweet emphasizes the importance of friendships for overall mental health. 

Head Urban Rec Kidult and Managing Director and Madeleine Wilkie says “ Being a grown up can sometimes be lonely, even outside of a pandemic. I found myself living overseas trying to figure out how to make new friends as an adult. I missed meeting new people in a non-awkward way. That feeling when you meet someone new, and realise the world is full of legends. I joined a social sport league and made friends for life. This is what Urban Rec is all about. We bring it together, break down the barriers, and all of a sudden you have a network of new friends you could have for life.”

Social sport leagues for Melbourne currently include Aussie Rules, Basketball, Dodgeball, Flag Gridiron, Hockey, Multisport (a variation of sports throughout the season on the same team), Netball, Soccer (Football for the Brits), Softball, Touch Football, and Volleyball. Leagues are 8-10 weeks long, with registration fees for each league around $100 for individuals. League specific fees and start dates for Melbourne can be found here https://melbourne.urbanrec.com.au/leagues. 

Wilkie continues “The key element is FUN. We make sure the games are enjoyable, and your opposition friendly. Making sure the culture and experience is fun for all abilities is at our core, in fact - our whole league is based off fun points. We also take making new friends seriously and organise end of season parties, trips, weekends away, outings, pub crawls, trivia nights, you name it. We are committed to getting adults into recreational, non competitive, inclusive sports.”

Ruth, Dodgeballer from the Sydney Inner West league says “I play with Urban Rec because they welcome all skill levels (including my complete lack of) and they mean it when they say no dickheads! Our opponents are fun, fair and friendly. It’s been three years and I can’t imagine my Wednesday nights without a dodgeball game and a trip to the pub with the team afterwards.”

All are welcome regardless of ability or experience. It doesn’t matter if you have never played before. To get register as a team or individual head to  https://melbourne.urbanrec.com.au/ to bring some active, social fun to your weeknights. 

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