HOW DOES SPORT IMPROVE SOCIAL SKILLS?

June 29, 2023 - one year ago

Hey legends! We’re always saying Urban Rec is more than sports but do you know why? There’s a reason why you’re reading our blog so we think you already know the answer to that question. We’d love to let you know how freaking amazing sport is for your social skills. Here's the lowdown on how getting in the game can level up your social game:

1. Teamwork makes the dream work: Playing sports with a team teaches you how to work together towards a common goal. You gotta communicate, coordinate, and trust your teammates. This helps you develop awesome teamwork skills that transfer to real-life situations like group projects or even just hanging out with your crew.

2. Making friends: Sports are a bloody awesome way to meet new people and make friends. Whether you're joining a team or just playing casually, you're bound to meet fellow sports enthusiasts who share your passion. You share the highs, the lows, and the bloody awesome moments, which creates a bond that's stronger than a crocodile's grip.

3. Winning and losing gracefully: Sports teach you how to handle victories and defeats. You gotta learn to celebrate the wins without being a sore winner and accept losses without throwing a major tantrum. This helps you develop sportsmanship and resilience, which are key qualities for handling setbacks in life with a positive attitude.

4. Communication on fleek: When you're in the game, communication is key, ya hear us? You’ve got to shout out plays, call for passes, and support your teammates. Effective communication on the field translates to real-life situations, where you gotta express yourself clearly, listen actively, and understand others. It's like leveling up your social interaction skills! A win-win!

5. Respect all around: Sports teach you to respect your opponents, teammates, and officials. You learn to play fair, follow the rules, and treat everyone with respect, regardless of their skills or background. This respect carries over into your everyday life, making you a bloody legend to be around.

So, there you have it, mate! Sports give you the chance to develop killer social skills and that’s one of the things we love about Urban Rec. It’s more than sport. You practice teamwork, making friends, handling wins and losses, communication, and respect. Get out there, play hard, and watch your social game level up to epic awesomeness!

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NAIDOC WEEK 2023

June 21, 2023 - one year ago

This Naidoc week Urban Rec asked artist, Urban Rec Member and proud proud Ngunnawal, Bundjalung and Kamilaroi woman Shaenice Miles to create an artwork that represents our community. Shaenice wanted to create something to represent the amazing community Urban Rec creates. We are so excited and proud to have something that represents us so well.

BUY A SHIRT

This Naidoc week we will be selling a limited edition (80 only) Narragunnawali shirts with all proceeds going to National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy, who use sport and mentoring to engage young people, build self esteem and enable a strong sense of autonomy through personal development. You can find out more about the amazing work NASCA is doing or donate directly here.

Get the squad together and get a new kit or just get yourself some epic swag while helping an amazing organisation. Pre-order your shirt here. There’s only 80 and its first in, best dressed. Shirts are $35 with all proceeds going to NASCA.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Narragunnawali (English Translation Coming Together)
The Artwork I wanted to create was something to represent the amazing community Urban Rec creates and will create. Each component of the artwork – the middle bit is a meeting circle with each of the community members coming together to play sports. There are footprints representing the different journeys and diverse backgrounds we all come from. The different meeting circles at the bottom is all cultures coming together to represent Reconciliation. The dots is to represent all the sports and sporting levels each individual brings. The blue, orange and yellow bit represents everyone coming together during different seasons and times throughout the year.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Shaenice Miles, and I am a proud Ngunnawal, Bundjalung and Kamilaroi woman. I have grown up in Canberra and have been amongst the Urban Rec community playing social basketball. The one thing I love about Urban Rec is the social community, and friends you get to connect with.

ADDITIONAL NAIDOC WEEK AKNOWLEGEMENTS

This Naidoc week Urban Rec is coming together with our community doing the following to celebrate the first nations people of this wonderful country we call home.

• We’ve partnered with artist proud Ngunnawal, Bundjalung and Kamilaroi woman Shaenice Miles to create Narragunnawali a design that represents our community.
• We’ve created a limited edition shirt using the design which we are selling with all proceeds going to the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy.
• We’ve changed all of our sports locations to include the (land) that they are located on.
• We’re adding an acknowledgement to country into our League Managers first day on ground team welcomes with the help of indigenous leaders.

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UR Royalty

March 20, 2023 - one year ago

Urban Rec Royalty Program, 2023.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce to you the Urban Rec Royalty Program.

Be the beneficiary of a $100 or $200 ‘Royal Pardon’. The Royalty Program is our shiny new loyalty program designed to show our appreciation and give back to those that support our Urban Rec family the most. In a time of impending Republicanisation we have decided to start crowning our Royal Family here at Urban Rec.

Your Loyalty makes UR-Royalty… each season your team will earn a gem for their crown, a full crown needs 3 gems. Once your crown is full, you will be bestowed your chamberlain with your Royal Seal of approval and we will reduce your 4th season registration fee by $100 or $200. To those that earn this Royal Pardon, we love you and we truly are, in fact, your loyal subjects.

T’s&C’s

• Teams that register in three (3) consecutive seasons in 2023 to receive a $100 reduced team fee on their 4th season.
• Teams that register and pay in full during priority/promo week for three (3) consecutive seasons in 2023 onwards are to receive a $200 reduced team fee on their 4th season.
• Teams that register in three (3) seasons non-consecutively, with only one (1) season break, are eligible to receive a $100 royal pardon.
• Teams will be notified within priority registration leading to the 4th season and will be provided a private link for registering with the discount.
• The $100 or $200 will not be refunded to a card if the team has paid in full before realizing - a credit may be offered in this instance against the captain's account.
• The team does not have to have played in the same league/sport throughout the year.
• The team must be made up of over 50% of the same members, or have the same team captain.
• Teams using the deposit function but not paying the balance during priority registration will be eligible for $100 royal pardon.
• This promotion is in effect from January 2023 onwards.

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Gender Identity Inclusion, Rule Updates, Pride Round 2023

February 17, 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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Short & Sweet - 6 Weeks Leagues

February 8, 2023 - one year ago

If you are struggling to find the time to put yourself first then our 6 Week leagues are the answer to your time poor issues. Or maybe you just struggling with commitment and our 10 week leagues scare you.

All our 6 week leagues start at the end of Feb/early March. There are limited spaces for individuals and teams to register so if you’re keen then get in quick!

Click the sport you’re keen to play and follow the prompts to register.

Monday

• Street Soccer | New Lambton | Starts 6th March
• Multisport | Maryville | Starts 27th February

Tuesday

• Multisport | Maryville | Starts 28th February
• Netball | Cooks Hill | Starts 21st February 

Wednesday

• Multisport | New Lambton | Starts 8th March

Thursday

• Basketball | New Lambton | Starts 2nd March

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MAKING SPORT ACCESSIBLE TO LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY

February 1, 2023 - one year ago

The LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) community has long faced discrimination and exclusion in various aspects of life, including sports. At Urban Rec, we believe making sports accessible to this community is not only a matter of equality and human rights, but also brings a range of benefits.

1. Improved Physical and Mental Health: Sports and physical activity have been shown to have a positive impact on both physical and mental health. For members of the LGBTQI community, who face high levels of stress and trauma due to discrimination and stigma, sports can provide an outlet for relieving stress, improving mood, and reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.

2. Increased Sense of Belonging: Sports provide a space for people to come together and form a community based on shared interests and goals. For members of the LGBTQI community, this sense of belonging can be especially important as it can help to counter feelings of isolation and loneliness.

3. Opportunity for Leadership and Empowerment: Sports can provide individuals with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and take on leadership roles, such as team captain or coach. For members of the LGBTQI community, this can be a powerful tool for empowering individuals and promoting positive self-image.

4. Increased Visibility and Representation: When sports are made accessible to the LGBTQI community, it helps to increase visibility and representation. This can be especially important for younger members of the community who may be struggling with their identity and looking for role models.

5. Breaking Down Stereotypes: By making sports accessible to the LGBTQI community, we can help to break down stereotypes and challenge preconceived notions about what it means to be LGBTQI. This can be particularly important in the world of sports, where traditionally rigid gender roles and expectations have often been used to exclude members of the LGBTQI community.

Urban Rec is passionate about making sports accessible to the LGBTQI community as it’s not only a matter of equality and human rights, but also brings a range of benefits that can help to improve physical and mental health, increase a sense of belonging, provide opportunities for leadership and empowerment, increase visibility and representation, and break down stereotypes. By promoting sports for all, we can help to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

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Win your team a night at Strike Bowling on us!

November 16, 2022 - 2 years ago

You know we love a good giveaway and this season we are giving away an absolutely epic experience!

If your team registers during Priority Registration Week (Monday 28th – December 5th ) then your team will automatically go in the draw to win a night at Stike Bowling on US! Woohoo! FREE STUFF!!

WHAT IS PRIORITY REGISTRATION?

Most of our leagues sell out quick fast – priority registration is our way of giving all the current teams in the Spring league first opportunity to register before the public and other teams on the waitlist snap up the spots.

WHEN IS PRIORITY REGISTRATION?

MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER – MONDAY 5TH DECEMBER

WHAT IS THE PRIZE?

• Free entry for 2 games of bowling (8 people)
• $250 Bar Voucher to use at Strike Bowling

HOW DO WE ENTER?

Re-register your team into the Summer competition between Monday 28th and Monday 5th and you’ll automically go in the draw to win the prize.

WHEN WILL THE PRIZE BE DRAWN?

The prize will be drawn on December 12th. Winners will be announced on our instagram account and an email will be sent to the winning team.

* Term and Conditions

Pay the full registration amount, no deposits are allowed and only teams playing in the current SPRING season are eligble.

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GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN FREE REGISTRATION

September 5, 2022 - 2 years ago

!!PRIORITY REGISTRATION!!

Go in the draw to win your team registration back for SPRING! 

WHAT IS IT?

If your team is planning on returning for the SPRING season then listen up! Your captain will be sent a link to re-register into the SPRING league on September 12. They will need to re-register the team between September 12 – 19. Once your team has registered using the link, your team will be placed in the draw to win Free Registration! Woooohooo!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The team that is drawn will win free registration for the Spring season and will be REFUNDED their team fee on the first week of the SPRING season. We will annouce the winner in the last week of the WINTER Season.

WHEN DOES MY TEAM NEED TO REGISTER BY?

The link your captain will get sent will expire on September 19 at midnight. If your squad isn’t registered by then, you will miss out on going in the draw to win free registration.  

WHEN WILL IT BE DRAWN?

The competition will be drawn on September 26th.  We will draw the winners on our social media account. An email will be sent to the winning team and they will be refunded their team fee.

Remember you’ve got to be in it to WIN it, so make sure you get your captain to register your team.

*Term and Conditions

Pay the full registration amount, no deposits are allowed and only teams playing in the current WINTER season are eligble.

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Theme Week - ALOHA

September 1, 2022 - 2 years ago

ALOHA!

With the weather heating up and Spring upon us we thought there is no better way to dress than in Hawaiian theme!

It’s time to get get out your leis and your Hawaiian shirts and get into theme. This season our dress up week will be September 4^th – September 8^th. You can coordinate with your team and get all matchy matchy or you can do your own thing and get the leis and coconuts out. Whatever you decide make it pop and stand out as players who wow their hosts will be getting prizes! Woohoo!

Have fun dressing up – we can’t wait to see you all in theme.

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