ULTIMATE
By STEFAN BRADLEY
DISCS were flying left, right and centre at the Traralgon West Sports Complex last month, as the state’s top mixed ultimate teams got together for the Victorian Mixed Ultimate Championship for a weekend of high-level competition.
The championship brought together 22 mixed teams competing for the title of Victorian champion, with players combining speed, athleticism, skill and teamwork in a format that saw women and men compete together on the same field.
The event also highlighted one of ultimate’s defining features, Spirit of the Game. Alongside the championship title, teams are recognised for demonstrating fair play, respect, communication and positive sporting behaviour throughout the tournament.
Ultimate Victoria General Manager Mary Toney said the championship was a fantastic celebration of everything that makes ultimate such a great sport, and that it was a delight to return to Traralgon.
“It has high-level competition, athleticism, teamwork and, importantly, Spirit of the Game,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity for the local community to experience the sport and see the level of competition that exists across Victoria.
“Gippsland locals have been very kind and supportive to us.”
Kaitlyn Alfieri was part of the Disc Functional team, which combined players from three teams across Gippsland and Melbourne. Ms Alfieri is from Bairnsdale and she had collaborated with Ultimate Victoria to introduce Ultimate Frisbee to Gippsland late last year, forming Bairnsdale Ultimate Frisbee.
“There’s plenty of room for ultimate to grow in Gippsland. That’s what we’re aiming for. Our club is growing every game,” she said.
Garrett Hall, also from Bairnsdale Ultimate Frisbee, said the sport can be especially challenging in the wind, but it was a positive experience to be in Traralgon to play ultimate.
“It’s still a sunny day and our spirits are high,” he added, noting the club celebrates every win.
“It’s surreal to come here watching seven whole fields of people running around chasing frisbees.”
Alfieri later said the weekend was “honestly one of the best events I’ve ever been to”.
“It had such a great atmosphere and really highlighted the community side of ultimate frisbee.”
Ben Marchbank, a captain of the Bairnsdale club who was ultimate Victoria’s volunteer of the month for September, said the Disc Functional team met for the first time at the Traralgon meet. Most of the players have also never participated in a major tournament before.
“But we’ve seen some great play with some great tactics. This is a very inclusive sport that welcomes all ages and abilities, from 15 up to about 52,” he said.
The team that won gold was Chugjugaccino, with Oblivion coming second and Cottage Fever in third. These three will qualify for higher level national championships.
Kunanyi were declared Spirit Champions.
The MVPs were Charlotte Botham-Clarke of Kelvin’s Angels, and Ambrose Forsyth of Hot Mess Express.
