MODS Adopts Gender Rule For All Mixed Leagues

Gender Rule A will be used in all MODS mixed league games and all mixed events moving forward.

The primary reason for this change is gender equity, and at our most recent meeting of the MODS Board of Directors, gender rule A was discussed and adopted to help better align the organization with it's equity, diveristy and inclusion policies and directives. 

The current plans are to use rule A if school leagues and events are allowed to safely resume this May. Should adult leauges be allowed to safely resume this May or June, Gender Rule A will also become the default gender rule for the adult Torque mixed leagues.

What is Rule A?

From the WFDF rule book:

A7.2. Ratio Rule A (“prescribed ratio” rule): A7.2.1. At the start of the game, after the first disc flip, an additional disc flip happens with the winner selecting the gender ratio for the first point. For the second and third points the ratio must be the reverse of the first point. For the fourth and fifth points the ratio must be the same as the first point. This pattern of alternating the ratio every two points repeats until the end of the game (half time has no impact on the pattern).

Although it's not explicitly stated in the rule, the ratio that you choose is either 3:4 or 4:3 (women:open).

Learning More About Gender Rule A

Ultimate Canada Magazine recently wrote a very informative article on their move at CUC events towards using Gender Rule A and why the change is important for our sport and community moving forward. The article is well written by Hadiya Roderique and Danny Saunders on behalf of the Ultimate Canada Competition Committee. 

Mixed Gender Rule Chage: Ultimate Canada to move to Rule A

Photo Credit - Scott Chapman

Rationale

Since MODS inception in 1988 the organization has slowly changed the gender ratio rules for our mixed leagues. This rule change brings us in line with many of our partner leagues across Canada. Like all Ultimate leagues we have gone through periods to create the 6 - 1 ratio, the 5 - 2 ratio and then the shift to the more familiar 4 - 3 ratio. Ratio Rule A represents the next step in that evolution.

Helpful Links & Resources:

Vancouver Ultimate League - "How to recruit and retain women for your team"

SKYD Magazine - "An open letter to male Ultimate players... from a guy"

The Telegram - "St John's athletes work towards gender equity"

UltiWorld - "Men touch the disc nearly twice as much as women in mixed"

Vicious Circle (VC) - Gender Equity Discussion