Edwards ultimate summer
Throwing a frisbee around has become serious business for Fernside’s Megan Edwards.
Edwards has a busy summer ahead playing ultimate frisbee, a growing summer sport in New Zealand, after already having a a pretty big year.
The 18-year old former Rangiora High School student represented New Zealand in the World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championships in Poland in August.
Edwards and the New Zealand U20 women’s team finished sixth after six days of competition, exceeding expectations as they headed into the tournament ranked 16th out of the 20 nations. Canada eventually won the championship beating USA 15-14, with Columbia finishing in third place.
‘‘I think I had a pretty good tournament,’’ Edwards said.
‘‘I was our second top scorer and managed to be inside the top 50 which was pretty cool.’’
Graduating from Rangiora High School last year, with colours for tennis and football, Edwards was introduced to Ultimate Frisbee by her brother Scott four years ago.
‘‘He got into it at University of Canterbury and they had a mens team but wanted to enter a mixed team so they asked me if i would play. I got hooked straight away.’’
As in rugby, a team scores one point by advancing the disc into an end zone. Basketball strategies, netball ‘type’ rules and football endurance come together in this entertaining, swift moving game.
‘‘There is a bit more to it then throwing a frisbee about. We work hard on throwing and catching but there’s also plenty of time spent on set plays and tactics.’’
Since returning from the world championships, she contested the South Island Mixed Championships in Hamer Springs earlier this month with the Christchurch-based Exiles, finishing fourth.
Edwards is eyeing up the Mixed National Championships in Hamilton in November, while also attempting to make a Wellington women’s club team to contest the nationals and a chance to make the world club championships.
Meanwhile, Edwards is in her first year at Massey University studying fashion design, with an area of expertise in mind.
‘‘I want to get into the sports fashion.’’
The budding fashionista had no issues with New Zealand’s ultimate uniform, one she hopes to wear again.