Why I love ... ultimate Frisbee

I was first introduced to the sport of ultimate Frisbee when I was 12. I wanted to join a sports club – I have always been very sporty and enjoyed meeting new people through joining clubs. I was disappointed when I didn’t make the volleyball or basketball team when I tried out, but luckily, my school was trialling a new sports programme – ultimate Frisbee. I didn’t know much about it, but I went along to the first session to give it a go. And I was absolutely gripped.

Before my first session, I’d thrown a disc before on the beach, but that was about it. This session was on the football pitch, lined with cones. Players were warming up, stretching and sprinting… and throwing the disc further than I’d ever imagined was possible. The coach immediately came over to tell me about the game, and showed me the different ways of throwing – backhand, forehand, and over-the-head (called the “hammer”). The session was organized, focused and fun, all at the same time.

Ultimate Frisbee (sometimes just called “ultimate”) is a non-contact sport, with several players on each side. It is played on a football-sized pitch with an end zone at each end. It is often described as a combination of netball – because you cannot run with the Frisbee (or disc), and American football – because you score a point for catching the disc in the end zone.

It is an exciting, fast-paced game. As soon as you catch the disc, you must stop running, and pass it to a teammate. You have to avoid players on the opposing team, who are constantly trying to block your passes. Teams are allowed to substitute players between points, which means players give 100% on each point.

I was quickly hooked. I found throwing a disc more fun than shooting a netball or kicking a football. There is no feeling that compares to chasing down a long pass, running as fast as you can, diving (or laying out) and catching it on the tip of your fingers. The game is exhilarating, and you run through exhaustion. Then you rest for a minute or two and do it all over again.

Since that first session, I have played through school, at university and with local clubs, and I have represented Great Britain in the World Ultimate Championships 2012 in Japan. I was so proud to wear the GB kit and played my heart out in front of over 2,000 spectators. I have happily committed a large amount of time to it for more than half of my life. I have happily committed a large amount of time to it for more than half of my life.

It’s incredibly active. A game is full of throwing, running, jumping and diving. Whenever I play, I feel like I’ve had a fantastic workout. But it’s a mental workout as well. Tactics are very important; in between points, you have to read what the other team is doing – and how hard the wind is blowing – to decide on the best attack or defence setup.

It’s also so easy to get started. All you need is a disc and a place to play. Football boots and matching kit are a bonus, but at its core, ultimate is accessible to people around the world, of all ages. Depending on whether the goal is to play for fun or more competitively, players can participate at a range of levels, from casually with friends, to professionally in the US.

I love the fact that it is self-refereed. This means it’s up to the players to settle any disputes about rules or fouls. This is different to any other sport I have ever played, and players on opposing teams tend to respect each other very much. There is a commitment to fairness, sportsmanship, and – above all – having a good time. Being “spirited” (ie playing within the rules) is seen as a goal in itself.

I’m lucky to have played with fantastic teammates. My current club is called Iceni; our name is inspired by the legend of Boudicca, a powerful warrior princess who led the Iceni tribe to wage war on the Romans. Last year, we won the European Championships. This year, we are training for the World Ultimate Club Championships in Italy in August, where 161 teams from 40 countries will compete.

We train together three, sometimes four times a week. We get up at absurdly early hours to go to the gym and do sprints together. We attend practices even when we’re injured or hobbling on crutches just to encourage our teammates. We all come from different backgrounds, and there is an age range spanning over 15 years between our youngest and oldest player, but we are a tight-knit group of friends. We support and motivate each other. We tease each other and cheer for each other. We are bridesmaids at each others’ weddings.

It’s all incredibly sociable – ultimate players love regular social events! When I first moved to London, I knew just one person here. Within a week, I’d joined an ultimate team and had invites to parties, concerts and barbecues. When I travel outside London for tournaments, local players I barely know have offered to show me around and put me up for the night on their sofas. I have made friends in countries all across the world, and have met my best friends and my boyfriend through this sport.

Giving this sport a go was probably the best decision I’ve ever made, and it’s shaped who I am. If you are interested in finding out more about ultimate, the governing body (UK Ultimate) website has more information.

Mara Alperin plays for Iceni Ultimate

Ultimate Frisbee is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK – there are an estimated 8,000 players in the UK, and over 5 million players worldwide. Its participation is increasing in schools as well, and it is part of the key stage 3 national curriculum.

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