Most people have never heard of Ultimate before. When you say the word Frisbee, you might think of throwing a Frisbee on the beach or in a park or even with your dog. But Ultimate Frisbee, or Ultimate, is so much more than that. It's a fast-paced team sport played all over the world. I've travelled quite a lot, and no matter where I'm living, whether it's a massive capital city like Paris, or a small town in the middle of nowhere, Quebec, I have never been more than a Frisbee throw away from a team!
So what is Ultimate?
Ultimate is a non-contact disc sport where the players themselves are the referees. There are two teams on a field about the size of a football field. At each end, there is an end zone and you score a point by catching the disc in the end zone.
I love to play sports and I would quite happily try my hand at any sport offered, but what I think makes Ultimate different from any other sport that I've played is the emphasis on the 'spirit of the game'. What does that mean, I hear you ask? Well, because the sport is self-refereed, players need to show good sportsmanship and generally have a positive attitude. Even at top level competitions there are no referees and players solve any problems with a quick discussion. In many tournaments the best prizes are given not only to the winners but also the most spirited team and player!
With such a friendly attitude, what's not to love?
Even if you're not the sportiest person, you'll always be welcomed warmly by an Ultimate team. You don't need to be the strongest person out there or even the fastest. As long as you come with a positive attitude and a willingness to try something new, you'll have fun, you'll make new friends and you'll have a big smile on your face.
Ultimate players are passionate and loving people with boundless enthusiasm for, quite possibly, the greatest sport known to man. I dare you to try it. You won't regret it.
Do you think that more sports should have prizes for spirit?
