BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
On a frozen field in Sudbury, David Walton
flies through the air to grab a small disc shooting by
him.
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David Walton (right) and Dean
Aelick get into the action of Ultimate Frisbee. |
He makes a finger tip grab and crashes into
the hard, snow-packed ground.
As he sprawls out on his back to catch his
breathe, pain swells up in his body, but Walton doesn't mind at
all because he's out playing Ultimate Frisbee with his friends
and that's what really matters to him.
Walton is part of a small group of about 50
or so athletes that plays the sport of Ultimate Frisbee in the
Sudbury area.
Ultimate Frisbee is played with co-ed teams
on a field roughly the same size as a football field with seven
players on each team. The object of the game is to outscore the
opponent. The game starts with a throw off, similar to a kick
off in football, between the defending team to the offensive
team. The offensive team tries to work the Frisbee up the field
and has a player catch it in the opponent's end zone for
points.
"There's a lot more to Ultimate than just
throwing a Frisbee around," said Dean Aelick, promotions
co-ordinator for Snowplate 2005, Sudbury's Ultimate Frisbee
tournament and an avid player. "There's defensive and offensive
strategies to learn and execute. It's similiar to football, but
when you catch the Frisbee, you don't run with it - you must
stop, pivot and throw it to an open player. It's a really fun
game for all."
Snowplate 2005 is Sudbury's first and only
outdoor Ultimate Frisbee tournament.
It will be contested from March 4-6 at either
Ramsey Lake or Lily Creek Field, and will bring in teams from
across the province.
"Last year, we had 10 teams play," said
Aelick. "There were three from Sudbury. We're looking for the
same turnout this year. There are four teams in the Sudbury
Ultimate league."
Walton has played the game for five years. He
enjoys the fact the game attracts people from all walks of
life.
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David Walton makes a flying grab
for the Frisbee as he promotes Snowplate 2005. |
"Everybody from the community like lawyers,
mechanics and students get together to play," said Walton.
"It's amazing to see them all out playing. It's a great workout
and a fantastic way to meet people and make great groups of
friends."
Jennifer Davidson has been playing Ultimate
for three years. Davidson likes the impact of the sport
especially when it comes to her wallet and body.
"One of the best things is that the sport is
cheap to play," said Davidson. "All you really need is a pair
of cleats. It's also non-contact, so it's not violent. You
don't risk getting badly injured."
Tyler Brown has been tossing Frisbees for
eight years. He has yet to find a better game.
"Ultimate combines all the best aspects of
other sports," said Brown. "It's very social and fun. If you
have the time, come out and play. If you don't have the time,
don't even bother trying because you will get hooked and want
to make time to play."
Anyone interested in playing Ultimate Frisbee
can check out the weekly practice session every Sunday between
2-3 pm at the Jean de Brebeuf Field
off Kathleen Street.
