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Royal Athletic Park will be the site of a Frisbee invasion today as the professional American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL) launches a matchup between the Vancouver Riptide and San Francisco Flame Throwers at 3 p.m.
The Victoria Ultimate Players Society (VUPS) set up the international league matchup as the Riptide鈥檚 usual venue, Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, was occupied.
鈥淭his is the first professional ultimate game here and we鈥檙e pretty excited about it,鈥� said Jeff Pozin, president of the VUPS, which runs recreational leagues on a number of local fields during the year.
鈥淚 believe their stadium was unavailable on the weekend and they decided they were taking it on the road. It looks like we鈥檒l have some real nice weather and a great field to play on.
鈥淭hey reached out to the Victoria ultimate community and asked if we would be interested in promoting the game and planning a venue, and that was all basically done.鈥�
Ultimate disc play is nothing new to Victoria 鈥� in fact, it is said that the sport was first developed here on Willows Beach park in 1974. In September 1979, a multi-disc sports competition was held in Esquimalt and the Victoria Flying Islanders were founded in 1982, the first ultimate team in sa国际传媒
The game is played with a team of seven players on the field. Games usually last 90 minutes, with the first team recording 15 points earning the win. A score is worth one point and players advance the disc up-field (like football). Once caught, the athlete can't run with the disc.
鈥淚n that respect, it鈥檚 like basketball,鈥� Pozin said.
鈥淵ou catch the disc, you stop, establish a pivot foot, throw and run like heck to get ready for the next pass.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a rapid sport, with constant movement and constant changes of possession.
鈥淚f the defending team catches the Frisbee they suddenly switch to offence and work it to the other end zone.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see what the guys can do in terms of making the Frisbee do what they want it to do. They can certainly throw it further than a football and there are all certain ways, with twists and curves, to manipulate the disc 鈥� they are magicians with a piece of plastic.鈥�
Four members of the Riptide were former University of Victoria rec players, Pozin said.
The sport is played recreationally in Victoria by co-ed teams.
鈥淚t has a nice social aspect to it and it鈥檚 a self-officiated sport as well,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here is no playing to a referee to draw a foul. Every violation has to be worked out on the field, so you go into it with a more positive attitude and respect for the rules and every other player. It鈥檚 a principle we call spirit of the game.鈥�
Today鈥檚 game is a professional event and tickets are $12.50 for adults, $8.93 for students and seniors and $17.98 for VIP. They can be purchased online at tickets.vancouverriptide.com.
A youth clinic is planned beforehand between 1 and 2 p.m. Participants should bring cleats for footwear. After the clinic, all participants will be able to watch the pre-game practice leading up to the pro game.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the first time we鈥檝e had them here, so we鈥檙e hoping for good attendance and, just like anything, if there is demand then there is supply. We鈥檙e hoping to maybe see an annual event where they come out here and play,鈥� Pozin said.
San Francisco is 6-0 in league play in the West Division and Vancouver is 2-1. Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego round out the division.
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