*Editor’s note: You may have seen in AFDA’s most recent newsletter a note congratulating and thanking Dan Rule on his seven years of service for the organisation and the sport as he accepted a new role with the East Arnhem Regional Council. To give some more insight into some of the contributions Dan has made for ultimate in that time, long-time colleague Anna Haynes sent this piece in. Thank you for all your support, Dan!*
It is with immense joy and heartfelt gratitude that we celebrate the remarkable journey and try to say thank you to Dan Rule, as he moves on to a new role with the East Arnhem Regional Council. With an unwavering passion for Ultimate, Dan has left an indelible mark on the Australian Ultimate community that will be cherished for years to come.
If you've had the privilege of crossing paths with Dan Rule, whether in person or through a professional aspect, you know that his enthusiasm for sports is infectious and we're reminded of the countless hours of hard work, perseverance, and genuine love he has poured into the world of Ultimate.
From his early days as an aspiring athlete to formalising and leading our national high-performance pathways, one can't help but admire Dan's commitment to fostering community and connections within flying disc sports.
His roles as a mentor and coach have shaped the careers of numerous aspiring athletes. The camaraderie he has built and the knowledge he has shared have paved the way for other aspiring coaches for numerous representative teams.
His ability to seamlessly blend his creativity with his deep understanding of Ultimate has resulted in some truly unforgettable moments. As we browse through (just a few of) Dan's accomplishments, it's evident that he has been at the forefront of so many “firsts” for disc sports, including:
Co-created his own business to deliver Ultimate in Victoria
Has been the Development Officer for NSW Ultimate and Ultimate Victoria
Road a bicycle from Creswick to London. Along the way spent time in India and became the first Head Coach for the U24 Indian Mixed Team and took that team to London to compete at the 2015 WU24s
Has experienced 14 World Championships (as a player, a coach, and team management support), and in some key capacity excelled across multiple campaigns including Beach, Guts, Juniors, U24s, Senior Rep Teams, and World Games
Appointed as the first High-Performance and Game Development Manager for Ultimate Australia, including oversight across 33 campaigns per 4-year cycle
Developed national Coach and Athlete Pathways, along with coach education resources and coach courses
Wrote and implemented the Ulti-Mates and Fly Programs included in the Sporting Schools Program. Ultimate was the first non-funded program to be included in this initiative and now delivers Ultimate programs Australian-wide to over 80,000 participants.
Somewhere in there found time to pursue an MBA, get married (to the spectacular and supportive Jess), and help raise their adorable son, Billy.
But it's not just the grand successes that define Dan Rule – it's his patience, humility and genuine nature that truly stand out. Take a moment, raise your metaphorical glasses to toast Dan Rule's incredible journey, and reflect on the way he has elevated the sport of Ultimate and those around him. His legacy isn't just a collection of achievements; it's the lives he has touched, the relationships he has built, and the inspiration he has ignited in countless hearts.
Thank you, Dan, for your unwavering dedication, your infectious passion, and your unrelenting pursuit of excellence. We wish you all the best in your new role.
Here's to Dan Rule, a mentor, a leader, a coach, a teammate, a colleague and if you’re truly lucky a friend.
So true Anna. What a beautiful summary of Dan's achievement and the person that he is. We are truly blessed for all Dan has done for our sport. We love you Dan and all the best! ❤️