August 6, 2010: All Day Ultimate Frisbee Play

Friday was the fourth day of the World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championships. We decided to focus on watching the games and taking it easy. It was cool and cloudy as we headed out from the hotel to the nearby playing fields. The day started with Canada playing Great Britain, who they beat.

Ultimate is a self-refereed sport. The players make their own calls. Disagreements are settled on the field. This can make for some long delays as language differences have to be overcome before they can discuss a disputed call. While the discussions can get heated in the end the players work it out. At the end of games there is a similar sense of camaraderie. The players form a circle and the team captains of each team addresses each of the players. We also saw many team captains exchange a small, but significant gift from their home country with the captain of the other team at the end of each game.

In the afternoon, Canada played Sweden winning 17-7. The bright Swedish jerseys were popular with the Canadian players. Many of the players exchanged tops and other clothing when the game was over. After the game we joined some other Canadian families in another late dinner at a local Italian restaurant near the playing fields.

Canada Team Manager A.J. Sainsbury.

Coach Kirk Nylen with his son.

Great local press coverage of the tournament

Team Canada and Great Britain

Team Canada and Sweden Circle After the Game

Swedish Captain Addresses Everyone

Team Canada and Sweden