The Ontario Disc Sports Association held the first ever ODSA Leadership Conference over the dates of September 27^th and 28^th.  All ODSA stakeholders were invited to participate in order to review a substantial body of work designed to help educate and strengthen member clubs on a number of levels focusing on operational standards, while providing an in depth overview of ODSA’s progress, future plans and initiatives.

The conference took place at the Holiday Inn Toronto Airport East. We were fortunate indeed to have received funding to underwrite the conference and delegate expenses through a grant for Sport Priority Funding (SPF), under an Active 2010 initiative through the Ministry of Health Promotion (MHP). The grant and conference focused on the MHP guidelines for base funding and associated sports initiatives and programs. 

The conference goal was to bring together representatives from ODSA's 25 member clubs and other interested parties to gain exposure to the key elements of sport management, what being a recognized PSO could offer, along with an overview of funding opportunities available. Our mission was to provide an overall road map to demonstrate and ensure that the Ontario disc sports scene grows together and moves forward united by a strong voice, strengthened by a full understanding of the opportunities and obligations ahead. We were able to attract 58 enthusiastic delegates to attend representing 22 organizations and 6 guest speakers with demonstrated areas of expertise.

The conference and its topics were delivered over two full days of activities and presentations, along with an evening Awards Dinner and AGM.

The program began by laying out the fundamentals of what it means to be fully recognized as a PSO, with highlights on what's expected and available to us. This was covered by an informative presentation from Faye Blackwood, MHP Consultant for Disc Sports, who also provided overviews on coaching and NCCP programs.  Paul Jurbala from communityactive provided an overview of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD). We engaged the services of Steve Indig, Centre for Sport & Law, who has done some outstanding work to create templates for the benefit of all member clubs covering all aspects of risk management and corporate governance. Steve presented a review of 22 new documents that have been created to better serve the needs of ODSA moving forward, including a revised Constitution and By-laws, while providing a simple and straightforward roadmap to protect ODSA’s members and member clubs. We were brought up-to-date on the activities and directions of our National Sports Organizations (NSO's) through presentations by Danny Saunders, Executive Director of the Canadian Ultimate Players Association (CUPA) and Brian Hoeniger, the International Director and former Executive Director of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).

The second half of Saturday focused on the ODSA.  A cornerstone of the program were the presentations by our hired sports consultant, Judy Sutcliffe from The Sutcliffe Group, who delivered a comprehensive overview of ODSA's Strategic, Operational and Revenue generation plans covering the next 3 years.  Separate Ultimate and Disc Golf breakout sessions provided delegates with a forum to specifically discuss and make recommendations covering future initiatives, tournaments, etc. Moving forward, both groups, through the ODSA will embrace more youth-centered initiatives. 

On Saturday evening, a sit down dinner was held at the Doubletree Hilton Toronto Airport and provided an excellent opportunity to review highlights of ODSA's achievements over the past year, conduct the business of the AGM and honor key volunteers from member clubs, whose efforts contribute so substantially to advancing our sports across the Province.