Ultimate Frisbee in the UK

As you may know, I have joined a Girls Ulimate team! The season is different here as the season consists of 4 weekend tournaments that occur during the University school year (Almost 100% of the players are students from 18 to 24 yrs of age) They don't play any mid week games as a city will have only one mens team and one womens team, and there is no one else to play against.
This means that weekend tournaments are taken seriously as they determine your standings in the league. (No beer coolers on the side line, just water and gatorade)

My first tournament was in Cardiff (Wales) where I elected to stay in a hotel in stead of camping with a bunch of 19 yr olds. This was a good decision as trying to keep up with them the first day (3 games of 90 minutes) almost killed me. Thank goodness for soaker tubs, hot showers and a good mattress. Without these things I don't think I could have moved let alone played on the Sunday. I had a lot to learn this weekend as playing on an all girls team changes the game (I have only played mixed before)...they don't sprint as fast as the guys can to catch long discs for example. Our captains, Kate and Tamzin had lots of patience with this team of misfits (I was on the 2nd ladies team...comprised of beginners and others who haven't played in the UK before)
Despite playing our hearts out in each game we lost all 6 games. And only managed to score 1 point. (Although we forced each team to the time limit in reaching the final score of 15) It was amazing how much the other womens team from Sheffield and the mens teams supported us at each game and how much I learnt from the tips they gave on the side line. This was tougher ulitmate than I have ever played before. The women's teams her in Enlgand are amazing.....
I was a walking ghost at school on the Monday, as I had lost my voice and could hardly move from the beating my body had taken.....I am to old to play with 19 yr olds!!!!

The next tournament was two weeks later in Mansfield (closer to home so I could sleep in my own bed). The weather was amazing at 26 degrees each day, but oppressive with the humidity, as players were dropping from heat exhaustion all over the place. We still didn't win any games this time, but at least we came close. We played some of the same teams from the last tournament and gave them a better game this time.....we had definitely improved. We managed to score almost 25 points in 5 games. Again the atmosphere on the team was uplifting despite our continued losses and we did win the "nicest" team award.....usually given out to a bottom team as a kind of pat on the head for trying.

This was the last womens/mens tournament as Universities are finished untill September. To fill the summer months they run a mixed Ultimate tour (4 weekends), I have signed up and I am excited to see who will be on the team.