By Sarah Mather
Frisbees aren’t just a beach toy anymore. Ulimate frisbee is a fast growing sport and the Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association has increased indoor field time to accommodate its popularity.
This winter ultimate players at all levels can play indoors because the OCUA has increased indoor field time by reserving space at three new locations.
“Our biggest improvement this year is we’ve gone out and secured a bunch of additional time for the sport of ultimate to be played indoors,” says Nick Roberts, OCUA general manager.
Ultimate is becoming a more recognized sport. Kristi Dean, who has played ultimate since 1999, and indoor since last year believes it’s becoming more popular because it’s something new and young people are interested.
“I think it’s just gaining momentum as something new to do. Also, it started out with an older crowd and now it’s spreading popularity to youth,” says Dean.
In addition to last year’s indoor fields including Frank Clair stadium at Lansdowne Park and Carleton University’s field house, the OCUA now has fields available at the Bell Sensplex in Kanata, the Thunderdome East in Blackburn Hamlet and the O’Connor Building in Gatineau.
“[These additions] are really putting ultimate on the map to a larger extent whereas before we were small and just that sport that people played at the riverside,” says Andy Marcey, head of the OCUA elite league.
In recent years, the limited indoor fields meant only the most talented ultimate players were able to play during the winter months.
Anyone playing recreationally didn’t have priority.
“When we weren’t able to get a lot of time, out of necessity, [indoor ultimate] was very exclusive,” says Roberts.
Dean is excited by the expansion. “I think it’s great. Ultimate is really big in the city and expanding it makes it easier for more people to get to play.”
The central Ottawa locations will be primarily used for training the elite league teams while fields in other areas will be used for more recreational play.
Roberts says that while the OCUA is making room for recreational indoor ultimate, helping the top players improve is still a high priority.
“Our interest isn’t just getting people playing, our interest is getting people playing well,” says Roberts.
Many of the OCUA elite players played at the world championship in Finland this year where Canada won a medal in each category they entered, finishing with three golds and three silvers. The association hopes to keep up this winning trend with proper training.
Roberts feels indoor ultimate really helps the good players get better so it is necessary they have space to play. When playing indoor, he says players can focus on their moves without the intrusion of the elements.
One night per week, the OCUA will use all three fields at Frank Clair, allowing the elite, advanced and intermediate leagues to all play at once.
Marcey says this will help him scout out the best players because he can watch and compare them all at the same time.
“I’m getting to see a lot more people at once, which will allow me to funnel people into the higher ranks,” says Marcey.
Despite the new facilities, the central Ottawa locations remain the most popular.
Roberts says they have already been filled for this winter’s indoor season.
He says he believes they are the most popular largely because the association developed at these fields and they are familiar to players.
As a new sport struggling for recognition, players are excited to see ultimate is growing.
“The indoor program tries to give everyone what they want. In other words, it is going to become like other sports,” says Roberts.