GET SET, THROW!
If you find yourself in a disagreement on the Ultimate Frisbee field, be prepared to prove your case. It’s a sport that’s self-refereed.
The number one rule is to is to treat others as you would want to be treated, something New Plymouth Boys’ High School students Graydon Scott, 16, and Luke Rabe, 17, know all about.
Scott and Rabe are actively involved in the Taranaki Ultimate scene and will be competing at this weekend’s Oakura Classic 2018 Ultimate Frisbee tournament.
Both are in the New Zealand under 20s Ultimate squad, having competed across the ditch in the Trans-Tasman competition and walking away victorious with a 2-1 result.
‘‘I saw a friend throwing a frisbee and thought I want to do that,’’ Rabe said.
It was the people and social side that drew Rabe and Scott to Ultimate.
‘‘It’s so welcoming. Even though I couldn’t play that well, I was still having a good time at the start,’’ Rabe said.
‘‘The people are really cool,’’ Scott added.
Born in the United States, Ultimate frisbee sees five players per team on the field with the ‘ultimate’ goal to catch a pass while in the opponent’s end zone, scoring your team a point.
Once you have caught the frisbee you must stop running but are allowed to pivot and pass, similar to netball. If players cannot agree, the play restarts.
‘‘In Taranaki [Ultimate Frisbee] is in a developmental stage.
‘‘It’s definitely a minority sport in New Zealand,’’ Ben Pollard, cocreator of the Oakura Classic, said.
‘‘This is the third year of running the beach tournament and it’s getting more popular every year.’’
Every Monday at Western Park they put on what they call ‘‘pick ups’’ for new people to come and have a throw and get a feel for the sport.
‘‘Everyone loves throwing a frisbee, it’s a classic Kiwi pastime,’’ Pollard said.
He described it as a good sport that anyone could take part in.
‘‘Young kids love it but we also have people in their 50s in the tournament.
‘‘It’s a non-contact sport, generally. Unless something goes wrong or you’re not looking and run into someone,’’ Pollard said.
This weekend’s tournament will see 80 people compete at Oakura Beach with prizes to be won.