Ultimate frisbee thrown back into training

BALLARAT Ultimate has recommenced training twice a week at Trekardo Park west, albeit in a non-contact capacity with a maximum of ten people.

President of the ultimate frisbee club, Patrick Thorpe said it’s challenging only running drills while games can’t be played, but it’s been positive to see the friendly atmosphere return.

“It’s been good for us to get a lot of people back out because we’re a social sport, and our community in Ballarat is an especially social one,” he said.

“I was hopeful that in the announcements Dan Andrews made this week there would be more easing, so sports like us can play games, but we’ll hold off for a little bit longer.”

Although Ballarat Ultimate isn’t quite back to its regular operations, Mr Thorpe said they’re open to locals expressing interest in trying the sport.

“The more people in the club, the better. Our training is geared for people playing games, but it can be adapted for any new people who would like to pick up the specifics of the sport,” he said.

“One of the key things about the sport is that it’s a self-umpired or self-refereed sport. Coming from a soccer and footy background…it made me think differently.

“It’s more social because you have to communicate with the other team in a respectful way, which is a really positive thing, and that’s even at the international level; self-refereed.”

Ballarat Ultimate is working with the City of Ballarat, hoping to plan some ‘come and try’ days sometime in the not-too-distant future once the weather warms up.

If they can run safely, compliant with COVID guidelines, the weekend sessions would accommodate both junior and adult age groups.

“There are so many unknowns with the COVID restrictions, but we’re hopeful,” Mr Thorpe said.

“We’d love to offer the opportunity for people who have been out of their regular, seasonal sport for so long to try something a bit different. It’s an attractive sport.”

The club would like to host local level and state competitions next year, pandemic restrictions permitting.

To express interest in Ballarat Ultimate, make contact via facebook.com/BallaratUltimateInc or by email at [email protected].