There is always something special about bringing Community Connect programming to the Pacific Northwest.
For Uplay, this stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour felt a little like coming home.
With the Northwest Championships taking place right here in our corner of the world, the Uplay team had the opportunity to spend the week doing what we love most—introducing young people to disc golf, training new community leaders, and helping build sustainable pathways for the sport to grow long after the tournament leaves town.
Thanks to the support of our Board of Directors and donated equipment, Uplay was able to teach at two schools, provide two community coach trainings, and host our first-ever Tour Card Holder Training. It was one of those weeks that perfectly captured what Community Connect is all about.
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More Than a School Visit
Our first stop was Marysville Elementary School in Portland, Oregon.
Hundreds of students spent time learning the basics of disc golf, experiencing the joy of throwing a disc, and discovering that physical activity can be fun, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. Beyond the students, we also had the opportunity to connect with leaders from Stumptown Disc Golf Club, whose passion for growing the sport in their community continues to create opportunities for young people throughout the Portland area.
Later in the week, we traveled north to Julius A. Wendt Elementary & Middle School in Cathlamet, Washington.
There, students enthusiastically embraced the sport while local volunteers participated in a community coaching training designed to give them the tools and confidence to continue teaching disc golf long after our visit. One of the highlights of the day was working alongside a student coach who is already excited to help introduce even more youth in the community to the game.
Moments like these are what make Community Connect so powerful. While Uplay may only spend a day at a school, the relationships, resources, and training left behind create opportunities that can last for years.
A New Chapter: Tour Card Holder Training
One of the most exciting developments of the week happened away from the school grounds.
For the first time ever, Uplay hosted a Tour Card Holder Training for professional players competing on the Disc Golf Pro Tour.
Since launching Community Connect, more than 50 touring professionals have volunteered their time to teach alongside Uplay at schools and youth organizations across the country. These players have become incredible role models, showing students what is possible through dedication, perseverance, and a love for the sport.
This new training program is designed to help even more players understand how they can get involved, develop confidence as instructors, and become ambassadors for disc golf in communities around the world.
Watching professional athletes embrace the opportunity to give back continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of this work, and we are excited about the possibilities this new initiative creates for the future.
The Real Impact
One of our favorite things about Community Connect is that the true impact is never limited to a single day.
Every teacher who learns how to teach a disc golf unit.
Every volunteer who gains the confidence to lead a clinic.
Every touring professional who discovers a passion for community outreach.
Every student who picks up a disc for the first time.
They all become part of a growing network of people creating healthier, happier communities through disc golf.
That ripple effect is what keeps us moving forward.
Marysville Elementary School
Portland, Oregon
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320 Students Reached
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20 Teachers Reached
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Forecasted Impact: 359
Julius A. Wendt Elementary & Middle School
Cathlamet, Washington
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87 Students Reached
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12 Teachers Reached
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Forecasted Impact: 412
Looking Ahead
As Community Connect continues to grow, we become even more optimistic about what is possible.
Every event reminds us that disc golf has the power to bring people together, create meaningful connections, and provide opportunities for young people to thrive. None of this would be possible without the support of our donors, partners, volunteers, and community leaders who believe in this mission.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Uplay Disc Golf
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