Fans of flying discs celebrated the opening night of the Smithers Ultimate league last Thursday at Elks Park.
Rod Dalziel, one of the Smithers Ultimate organizers, said the sport tends to be very inclusive and accommodating to beginners and experts alike.
“It’s great for people of all levels,” he said. “If you can run, you can play.”
There are only 10 rules to the game, and players in the Smithers league, which runs on an informal drop-in basis, are always happy to show the basics to beginners.
Ultimate, or ultimate frisbee, as it’s known to those that don’t play the game, and ‘ulti,’ as it’s known to those who do, combines aspects of soccer, football and rugby into a non-contact passing game. Ideally, there are seven players to a side, although the gamer can proceed with less. Players pass the disc on a field about the same size as a football field, attempting to pass to one of their players in the end zone.
Smithers Ultimate also runs the annual Catch and Release Tournament in September. The tournament has drawn players from across the north, and this year will mark the fifth anniversary of Catch and Release.
Dalziel said the league is actively looking for new players to join the dozen or so dedicated regular players.
“We’re always looking for new people to come out, any age, guys and girls. It’s a great workout, and we’re family friendly,” he said.
Smithers Ultimate runs on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at Elks Park. To keep up with the league, search Smithers Ultimate on facebook.