The Ultimate Sport

March 17th, 2016

The sport of ultimate Frisbee has swept the world in recent times and has finally found its way to the Adelaide Hills.
 
The unique sport combines the hobby of recreational Frisbee throwing into a high intensity game of skill.
 
On an 80m field with two opposing scoring end zones, two teams of seven face off for the highest score with lots of fun and laughs along the way.
 
Regular player Michelle Garner became involved with the sport after seeing a flyer posted in the Mount Barker library two months ago and has grown to love ultimate frisbee.
 
"When I first went out there was only one other person so the following week I invited a few friends and it has really grown since then," she said.
 
"Two months later and we had 18 people come out last week."
 
With a number of ultimate frisbee leagues in Adelaide, the Southern Hills Ultimate Frisbee group is the first of it's kind in the Adelaide Hills with a social game held is every Monday night at Anembo Park in Mount Barker.
 
"I didn't realise that there would be so much interest!" Michelle said.
 
The disc can be thrown in any direction by players with a score being recorded when a player catches the disc in their scoring end zone.
 
A dropped disc forces a turnover and play switches to the other team.
 
A non-contact sport, when the disc is caught, the player must stop while plays can be defended or intercepted.
 
Strathalbyn local Simon Murphy started the group after playing ultimate frisbee when he lived in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
 
"I was never really interested in playing football or cricket and ultimate frisbee just seemed to really gel with me," he said.
 
"I played in a league down in Adelaide between 1997 and 2001 but it is great to see the sport expand now, they are even starting a group in Moana and Aldinga."
 
Simon says that his fitness has improved since playing and although it's a non-contact sport there is a lot of cardio exercise involved.
 
"I have almost lost 10 kilograms since I started, you are running around for about an hour and a half," he said.
 
"Ultimate frisbee is a very high cardio game and it does wonders for your fitness and there are always specky catches and dives that people do which is cool to watch."
 
While ultimate frisbee official leagues exist and can be played competitively, the Mount Barker Group get together on Monday's to play a 'pick-up-game' where anyone can participate regardless of their age and ability.
 
Participants range in age and experience with the mixed format providing for all abilities to be challenged in a relaxed environment and it is a very social occasion.
 
"There is a great social aspect to our group and you meet so many new people," Simon said.
 
"It is great to be able to create these new social connections in our community and it is especially great for those who are new to the area."
 
At the moment sessions are held in Mount Barker on a Monday night at Anembo Park from 6.30pm and it is free to participate.  
 
For regular updates visit the group's Facebook page, 'Southern Hills Ultimate Frisbee'.

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