Ultimate Frisbee team soars high

Andrew Moeller with the one that got away.

Carrie Goodine makes a mighty leap.

I'll take that: Matt Hogel millimetres away from the disc.

Liza Shelley wasn’t sure about playing Ultimate Frisbee. Her older sister Jenna used to be a player so three years ago Liza decided to join the team. Her first team practice didn’t go so well.

“The first time I threw the Frisbee, I hit the back of the head of the player beside me,” she said. “I never picked up a Frisbee before so I was terrified.” Three years later, Liza understands the ins and outs of tossing the flying disc.

Students in the Dal-Kings Ultimate Team know what it takes to throw a Frisbee. The team is headed for the Canadian University Ultimate Championships in Montreal on October 16 to 18.

Ultimate Frisbee is a sport loosely based on the rules of soccer and football. Teams throw the Frisbee from teammate to teammate to score against the opponents’ goal. “I never realized how much mental awareness you need in the sport,” says Ms. Shelley, co-captain of the team. “It takes skill to run and think about where you’re going to throw next.”

The Dal-Kings team started in the 1980s by founders Chris Lee and Dan Kehler. Currently the team has 100 members.

Bobo Eyrich started playing Ultimate Frisbee in junior high in various Halifax leagues. The team co-captain believes the sport fosters an attitude of self-discipline. “The big selling point is the self-officiating,” says Mr. Eyrich. “It’s a challenge for your character to play fair and to make your own calls. There’s a strong mentality needed to play.”

The Dal-Kings team will compete against the top teams in Canada. The University of Western Ontario, Carleton University and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have strong men’s teams. For the women, the fight for the title is focused on the University of Ottawa and UBC. Both teams will also be competing in the U.S. nationals. Four years have passed since Dal-Kings competed at the championships. The team hopes to qualify for the quarterfinals.

After the championships, the team closes the season with the Tournament of Ghouls on October 22-23 in Halifax. Players dress up in Halloween costumes for prizes. Last year the winning team was dressed as the Smurfs.

While Ultimate Frisbee may be a difficult sport, even the casual Frisbee player can be successful. Mr. Eyrich recommends staying calm on the field. “Have patience,” he says. “Most people rush throwing the Frisbee and drop passes. You have 10 seconds to throw the Frisbee. Remember to take your time.”