Colorado Springs, Colo. (Feb. 12, 2019) – USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States and member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, today announced DeAnna Ball as head coach of the 2020 U-20 Women’s National Team. The U-20 Men’s National Team head coaching position is open for applications.

Announced last spring, the selection process for National Team head coaches was modified, in part based on input from other national governing bodies of sport. Going forward, head coaches from the most recent cycle will be reviewed by a panel that includes previous national team coaches and USA Ultimate staff. Players from the relevant cycle will also be included whenever possible. The panel will evaluate head coaches with the understanding that if they are the right coach, they will be offered the opportunity to return for the next cycle, helping build consistency in team culture.

Ball led the U-20 Women’s National Team to gold in Canada last summer. As the current U-20 women’s head coach, she was offered the opportunity to continue in the role for the upcoming cycle, which she accepted.

“We’re excited to have DeAnna back as the women’s head coach for another cycle,” said Joy Ferenbaugh, USA Ultimate manager of youth competition and U-20 National Team manager. “She is a wonderful coach, and we know she’ll do another great job with the U-20 Women’s National Team in 2020.”

Reid Koss served as head coach for the 2018 U-20 Men’s National Team, leading them to a gold medal, after Sam O’Brien, who was originally named to the role, had to step down. Because Koss was originally appointed as an assistant coach and did not go through the head coach application process, the panel opted to open the 2020 head coach position to applications.

“Reid did a phenomenal job with the U-20 Men’s National Team last year,” continued Ferenbaugh. “He took what could have been a tough situation and made it a great experience for the athletes and staff. Going forward, we just want to continue with our new process for head coach selections, so the panel decided to re-open applications for the 2020 position.”

Applications for the U-20 men’s head coach position are open now and will close Thursday, February 28.

Assistant coach applications will open after both head coaches have been announced.

The 2020 World Flying Disc Federation’s World Junior Ultimate Championships will take place July 18-25, in Malmö, Sweden.