Hi all --

KURU is getting ready for Gaia Cup 2009 which will be held on Saturday-Sunday November 21-22 in Fuji City. Gaia Cup is a 48-team mixed ultimate tournament and finishes the tournament year. It wont be easy -- many of the teams are quite good -- but we're going to have a great time and celebrate the one-year anniversary of KURU. If you're interested in playing with us, read on for details and let us know your interest as soon as possible but no later than Sunday, October 11.

What KURU believes in:

• Developing the individual and team skills of our members through structured practices and scrimmages, with the goal of improving our play.
  
• Being Japan's most spirited team on and off the field through supporting our teammates and sister teams, but also playing to the best of our abilities (giving 258%) at tournaments.
  
• Encouraging the growth of ultimate in Tokyo by enthusiastically welcoming beginners and teaching the spirit, rules, and strategy of ultimate.
  

Practices: KURU will try to practice every Sunday between now and Gaia Cup. Practices will typically start around 12:00. Generally, practices will be at Futako-Shinchi/Kuji, but this may change on short notice. KURU practices will be open and posted on the forums. We welcome all to attend, including those not attending the tournament. (As the tournament approaches we may have scrimmages or other events focused more on the tournament, but we will still attempt to make our activities open to all.)

Tournament Attendance: The KURU captains will meet shortly after October 11 to fix our roster. If there are more people interested than can be fit on one team, we will select the tournament members based upon: (a) commitment to KURU -- in terms of attending both practice and pickup; (b) demonstrated spirit and interest in the game and (c) if necessary, ability to play certain roles.

Tournament Fees/Costs: Tournament registration is 5,000 JPY. You'll also need to stay in Fuji City on the Saturday of the tournament (~6,000 JPY) and travel to/from Fuji City (~10,000 JPY depending on car/train/etc.). Finally, if you don't want to wake up early on Saturday you may want to stay in Fuji City on Friday (~6,000 JPY). If you have any questions about tourney costs, please ask.

Questions/Comments: Write to your captains at kuru@iku-ultimate.org, or post here.

Want to join us? Email kuru@iku-ultimate.org as soon as possible but definitely before October 11. If you have already informed us of your interest, you do not need to do so again.

Doug, Genny, Jacob and Lucas
KURU Captains

update/reminder - KURU has formally been accepted to Gaia Cup. As noted above, please let us know by Sunday night if you are interested in playing with us at the tourney.

Doug