Ultimate league looks for more players

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/07/2023 (1005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While the Westman Ultimate Disc League has consistently seen four teams competing on their Monday night circuit since the COVID-19 pandemic, those involved would like to see more players try the sport.

The goal is to get to six teams, like it had since it was founded in 2007.

In order to get there though, they need more people to try the sport.

“Unfortunately, ultimate is not played in high school so you don’t really have kids coming through to the adult leagues like you do in rugby, baseball or soccer,” said Shanda Chester, WUDL communications director and player .

“For those of us who are currently playing, we’re kind of left to recruit our friends and co-workers to try the sport. To get the league boosted a bit, it’s important for us to get younger people involved.”

As a result, the league is inviting those that are interested in trying out the sport to take part in their drop-in games, which take place at Linden Lanes School every Thursday night at 7 o’clock.

While some might think that all that’s involved in the game is just being able to throw a disc, Chester says newcomers are surprised by how much running is involved.

“There’s been soccer players complaining that there’s too much running if you can imagine that,” Chester said with a laugh. “Once you get used to it and have some experience, you don’t have to run as much.

“The big thing … that you have to focus on right away as a player is just how to defend instead of learning to throw and helping out the team on offence afterwards.”

Andrew Hosfeld, who competes with the Purple Cobras team, has been playing in ultimate leagues since he was in high school in Chatham, Ont.

He says the biggest misconception that newcomers have is just how much athleticism is involved in games.

“You are constantly moving on the field and I think it can really surprise you just how much you have to rely on quickness, agility and speed,” Hosfeld added. “That’s a lot more important than your throwing technique and the catches you make.”

When he first started to play on a regular basis, Hosfeld would have to travel five to six hours to find top-level matches and tournaments in Ontario.

That travel time has been cut dramatically since he arrived in Brandon in 2015.

“It’s nice,” Hosfeld said. “You get to see the same people over and over again and you get to know them better not just for how they play, but for who they are.”

The camaraderie is something that Chester has liked since she started playing in 2008.

“The one major rule that we have is to do with the spirit of the game,” Chester said. “It’s self-officiated so if there’s a foul, we call it and then it’s done. We move on.

“We want to make sure that everyone is having fun. We have a hangout after each game night where we all have drinks and food together. We all know each other and there’s a great social atmosphere.”

Those who are looking to learn more about the league or the sport are asked to visit the WUDL’s website or Facebook page.

» lpunkari@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @lpunkari