WFDF Highlighted in TAFISA Webinar on Insights on Data-Driven Approaches to Girls’ Sports Participation

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) successfully participated in the TAFISA Mission 2030 Webinar Series, titled “Shifting the Narrative: Data-Driven Approaches to Girls’ Sports Participation,” showcasing its commitment to evidence-based gender equity in sport. WFDF Director of Membership and Development, Dillon Richardson, represented the organization on a panel discussion, detailing WFDF’s strategic approach to data collection, analysis and action for female participation across with its 122 National Federations.

The discussion, hosted by The Association For International Sport for All (TAFISA), took place on 21 October 2025 and attracted over 500 registrants from stakeholders such as researchers, professionals and experts in the field.

The panel, which included Dr. Aoife Lane (Technological University of the Shannon), Dr. Rosa López de D’Amico (International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport) and Rosa Diketmueller (International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women, moderated by Nana Adom Aboagye (Head of the Centre for Sport Leadership at Stellenbosch University), focused on practical, evidence-based solutions for increasing girls’ participation globally.

Robert “Nob” Rauch, WFDF President, emphasized the importance of WFDF’s involvement. “WFDF’s commitment to gender equity is a core tenet of our sport, particularly through our popular Mixed Divisions in Ultimate and our championship format in Disc Golf. We were happy to share our practical experience with the global sports community in building data systems and our strategies to promote and incentivize our national members to prioritize the participation of women and girls.”

During the discussion, Richardson addressed several crucial questions regarding data strategy and gender equity in sports from the perspective of an international sport federation. On data systems, Richardson detailed that WFDF’s data collection system is built on a detailed Annual Census of its members, a core requirement for all of its National Federations since 2002. This centralized report shows that 35% of total reported members across the 122 NFs are female matching.

On methodologies and partnerships to close these gaps, WFDF focuses on sustainable solutions for its members including centralized technology, leveraging digital platforms such as its WFDF Academy, designed to deliver self-study learning opportunities, and upskilling the global community. WFDF also focuses on strategic partnerships; Richardson highlighted a recent successful “Girls Positive and Safe Sport Course” delivered with TAFISA’s support. He also noted the development of a Research Hub in the WFDF Academy to promote an evidence-based culture by centralizing access to relevant academic research.

On incentives and accountability, he highlighted that accountability is ensured by making the annual submission of the Annual Census, which includes a gender breakdown, a core condition of being a WFDF Member. WFDF’s targeted incentives include, at the high performance level, qualification to Multi-Sport Games and weighting the performance of the Open, Women’s and Mixed Divisions equally in compiling country rankings. At the grassroots and development area, it was mentioned that the WFDF Development Program considers gender equity, diversity and inclusion in evaluating project-specific funding for community and youth projects.

The webinar also featured a presentation by Dr. Lombé Mwambwa (Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport) and a case study from Dr. Aya Noguchi (Azitama, Japan).

WFDF’s participation in the event was a success and thanks to all who attended and contributed to this important dialogue. The TAFISA press release can be found at TAFISA Press Release and the recording is available on TAFISA’s YouTube Channel as part of their Mission 2030 Webinar Series.