'Hey man, awesome catch!'

Ultimate Frisbee is fast becoming a free-spirited alternative to mainstream competitive sport. Leagues in Melbourne are oversubscribed with players attracted to the everyone’s a winner ethos of the game. Now organisers are struggling to find new venues to feed the growing demand to chase a flying plastic disc and for a fresh approach to sport that has the city in a spin.

By ADAM BLAU

A FLUORESCENT 175 gram white plastic circle contrasts against the velvet Melbourne night.

Watched by dozens of pairs of eyes, the disc hitches a ride on a chilly winter breeze propelling it further down the field.

Shouts from onlookers echo from the sideline: “Blowing left, left” and “go for the touchdown! Disc, disc!”

After what seems like an eternity the Frisbee begins its descent, and two players – one in a garish yellow uniform, the other decked out in black – who have anxiously followed the disc’s flight plan across the field, leap to the sky, hands outstretched.

Yellow secures it with his fingertips, bringing claps and whoops from teammates and spectators alike and completing a spectacular touchdown for his squad.

His direct opponent, who missed a spoil by mere inches, glances around and smiles: “Hey man, awesome catch!”

The sport of Ultimate Frisbee, an export from the United States, takes a different and distinct approach to competition than traditional sports. While competitive effort is encouraged, USA Ultimate guidelines dictate that this should never be “at the expense of the bond of mutual respect between players, adherence to the agreed upon rules of the game, or the basic joy of play”.

Ultimate’s self-officiated nature – anchored by what’s known as the “Spirit of the Game”, a foundation that defines this free-spirited alternative to traditional organised sport – demands a strong spirit of sportsmanship and respect. Its non-contact nature broadens the appeals to people, both men and women, from all walks of life.

It has become so popular that this year’s University Games will see Ultimate Frisbee with the highest number of participants from any sport. And in Melbourne, where the game has caught hold in the past few years, leagues have grown so quickly that they have run out of suitable places to play.

Funny Duck, one of Melbourne’s leading mixed Ultimate Frisbee clubs, started in 2009 as a random assortment of Frisbee enthusiasts.

Club president Shayne Curry says one of the main appeals of the sport was how easy it is to share a joke, a conversation, even a beer with other players.

“Originally it was the social aspect. Everyone seemed to be really friendly.”

Curry is pushing to expand Ultimate’s playing space in Melbourne to cater for more players, but certain elements stand in the way.

“Because of field restrictions, Monday night has been really limited in its growth in recent years,” Curry says.

“The demand is there, we just don’t have the space!”

While plans to improve the sport remain important, Funny Duck’s central goals as an up-and-coming Ultimate club are promoting an inclusive attitude, having a laugh and enjoying the sport.

Callum Howith, 17, is a newcomer to the sport, but can already identify Ultimate Frisbee’s unique character among other competitive pursuits.

“In football, when you lose a game you’re always shattered,” Howith said.

“Whereas Frisbee, you can get a few scores, but even if you lose it leaves you with a much more content feeling.”

At the synthetic fields of Albert Park, Ultimate Frisbee has taken root and continues to grow through ever-increasing participation in a Monday night Ultimate league.

Boasting four separate divisions and a large range of teams, Ultimate has started attracted top-quality athletes with the lower grades focused on development and learning.

“Everyone’s always helpful, always focused on making you a better Frisbee player,” Howith says.

“It’s not focused on winning games, but about playing a good game of Ultimate and keeping the spirit alive.”

Funny Duck Ultimate, known for their bright yellow tops and flying duck emblem, has three mixed teams competing in Monday night competitions.

Recently, the burgeoning club sent a team to Mixed Nationals, exceeding expectations by finishing third.

Structural engineer Raph Buellins has featured on a Funny Duck roster since 2007.

“It’s all about getting a diverse mix of people involved,” Buellins says, one eye firmly on the match going on beside him.

Buellins pauses to shout encouragement to a new member who is struggling to keep track of her opponent.

“Funny Duck’s goal is to get people of all different skills and all different levels, getting them involved in the sport and training them up,” he says.

Senior Funny Duck member Keren Herman, who discovered the sport while on break from soccer season, maintains it’s the people that keep her coming back.

“I just love the fact that it’s all nerds,” she says with a grin.

Matt Howith has played Ultimate extensively and joined Funny Duck to communicate his skills and experience to new players.

“I think that’s the best thing about Funny Duck - picking up new players, introducing them to the sport and turning them from chumps to champions.”

The game has finished and both teams gather in a circular formation, concluding with an Ultimate ritual where opposing squads complement each other on their performances, and end with three rousing cheers – regardless of the result.

After all, everyone’s a winner.