There have been some recent changes to the Ultimate NL board of directors.
Member-at-large Yolanda Kuai has taken over the position of tournaments and events director. She can be reached at tournaments@ultimatenl.ca.
Also, Kurtis Thornhill has returned to the board, this time in the role of community outreach director. Kurtis previously served on the board as our youth co-ordinator. He can be reached at volunteer@ultimatenl.ca.
Special thanks to outgoing board members Erin Daly and Mark Kavanagh for their time and dedication!
Team Flood Watch was undefeated in Ultimate NL’s first Elimin8s tournament.
With six teams and over 60 players participating, Flood Watch proved to be tough opponents in the tournament but emerged the victor when Erin Daly caught a pass from Mike Pineau to score the winning point against Gyr8tors.
Both teams were down to two players each on the field, making it a battle of both smarts and skill.
In Elimin8s style ultimate, teams start with eight players but lose a position on the field with each point scored. This makes for highly competitive games and most matches were separated by less than three points.
In a post-tournament survey, 92 per cent of respondents said their experience at the tournament was excellent or that they were very satisfied with it. Ninety-two per cent also said they’d like it to be an annual event.
Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make it a success! Special thanks to tournament director Kathleen Sullivan, and to Tempest for providing field snacks.
Held during a break in Ultimate NL’s first Elimin8s tournament, the game saw Team White beat Team Red by a score of 11-9.
The game is an annual nation-wide fundraiser for the Art Hawkins Development Fund, which supports the accessibility and development of ultimate and Spirit of the Game to children, youth and those with disabilities, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities.
Scores from each location are added together to determine an overall winner. Nationally, Team Red defeated Team White 203-186.
Ultimate NL has received two grants from the fund. In 2017, a grant helped start a pilot wheelchair ultimate program, and in 2014, the funds went towards a fall youth ultimate league.
This year, Ultimate NL is contributing the proceeds from its Elimin8s tournament to the fund for a total donation of $290.
Thank you to everyone who participated and played with great spirit and a positive attitude!
Ultimate NL membership also ensures that you are covered should you be injured and require medical treatment as a result of playing in these leagues or tournaments.
Storm at the opening ceremony for the 2018 Canadian Ultimate Championships.
Youth players are invited to try out for Storm, the province’s junior competitive club teams, next month.
Ultimate Newfoundland and Labrador offers junior open and female teams in its competitive Storm program. Male- and female-matching players who are between the ages of 14 and 18 as of Dec. 31, 2019 are eligible to try out.
All tryouts will take place at the Techniplex in St. John’s.
Athletes outside the Avalon who cannot make the tryouts and are interested in the team, as well as all other inquiries, may be directed to Luke Dyer, Youth Development and Competition Director, at youth@ultimatenl.ca.
Left to right: Ultimate NL vice-president Melissa Wheeler, John Mackenzie, Dr. Trina Bailey and president Nick House.
Ultimate Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce that Veterinary Specialty Centre (VSC) of Newfoundland and Labrador is the new corporate sponsor for Storm and our youth provincial tournaments.
VSC, co-owned by Dr. Trina Bailey and John Mackenzie, is the only clinic in Newfoundland and Labrador that provides advanced medical care for pets in the province.
The duo became interested in sponsoring ultimate after watching their son, Ewan, participate in the junior open Storm program last year.
“I am so impressed by the communication, problem-solving skills and camaraderie of players on and off the field,” said Mackenzie. “I wanted to determine if there was anything our company could do to further support this inspiring behaviour, the skill development of the players and the growth of this commendable sport in the province.”
VSC’s sponsorship will help offset the cost of field rentals, athletic gear, travel and other expenses related to operating Storm, the province’s junior open and female competitive club teams. The sponsorship will also go towards expenses associated with hosting Ultimate NL’s annual elementary, junior high and senior high provincial tournaments this spring.
“We’re excited to partner with Veterinary Specialty Centre as it’s an organization that is invested in our community and shares our values in providing many opportunities for young people to play ultimate in this province,” says Nick House, president of Ultimate NL. “It will have an immediate impact on our Storm and youth programs, and help us expand them beyond what has been possible until now.”
“Ultimate is a great sport that is adaptable to many skill levels, making it inclusive and fun. It also brings people together in a positive way,” adds Dr. Bailey. “We look forward to being a part of an exciting season ahead.”
Ultimate NL is pleased to introduce a new skills and drills league for beginner and intermediate female-matching players.
This six-week league will focus on introducing and improving skills related to throwing, cutting, defence and offence.
Kathleen Sullivan, Ultimate NL’s sport development coordinator, says the league will help gender equity efforts in the provincial ultimate community.
“With the increased attention on gender equity and the use of WFDF Rule A by Mile Zero Ultimate, increasing the confidence and skill level of female-matching players will translate to a better experience in all their encounters with the sport,” she says. “The goal is to have these players feel comfortable with the disc so they can fully enjoy their playing experience and continue playing ultimate in the future.”
The league is open to female-matching players ages 16 and over. Each session will focus on a specific skill with participants being divided by skill level for some drills in order to help players master the concepts being taught.
“This will be a learning series focusing on skills and drills to allow female-matching players the opportunity to improve their skills in a safe and inclusive indoor environment,” says Sullivan.
League dates:
Wednesday, April 10: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8: 8:30-10 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15: 8:30-10 p.m.
All sessions will take place at the Techniplex in St. John’s. The cost is $60.
“I am feeling very optimistic about the upcoming year. We have four new faces and five returning board members, and there’s a noticeable level of liveliness and excitement,” says Melissa Wheeler, who was elected for her second term as president. “We’re all very eager to start planning our leagues, clinics and other initiatives for the year ahead.”
The new board consists of:
President: Melissa Wheeler
Vice-president: Rachael Fitkowski
Treasurer: Hilary Walsh
Secretary: Rosie Myers
Members at large: Jessica Mandville, Nicole Bishop, Jennica Seiden, Meghan Hollett and Sophie Blais
Outgoing members are Erin Daly as former president and member at large and Sarah Hoddinott as secretary. Daly has served eight years in various positions on the board while Hoddinott served two years.
SWURL is one of the longest running women’s leagues in Canada.
