Say Frisbee and what springs to mind? A bunch of kids scampering around in a park? Guys throwing, chasing and catching for a few minutes, then losing interest?
Well, perhaps it is time to think again. Perhaps it is time to think about Ultimate Frisbee.
Ask Barrhead’s Sherri “Rose” Ratledge about the game and she will tell you how great it is.
So much so she wants to set up a league in central Alberta, perhaps even in Barrhead, if there is sufficient interest.
“I really want to promote it,” she says. “It’s an awesome sport.”
Local fans will receive a boost when acclaimed Frisbee thrower Rob McLeod - known as Ultimate Rob - visits Barrhead on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
McLeod, who holds 11 world records in disc sports, will be presenting an Ultimate Frisbee clinic at Cecile Martin Park on Wednesday.
It starts at 6:15 p.m. and anyone keen to learn more about the game is encouraged to attend.
Earlier he may speak at Neerlandia Public Christian School.
McLeod will also be visiting Barrhead schools today to speak to children about Ultimate Frisbee.
Originating from pie dishes thrown around by American students, Frisbees have been around for decades.
The sport of Ultimate, at it is known, has its roots in the college campuses of 60s America.
Sherri “Rose” Ratledge was introduced to the game about three years ago by a friend at Bible camp in Alberta Beach.
She was soon addicted, finding it was a cross between basketball, American football and soccer.
“You pivot on one foot as in basketball and pass to your teammates as in American football,” she says. “You have to throw to a player in the endzone to score a goal.”
There were other discoveries too, such as a seemingly infinite number of throwing techniques, which can confound the novice.
They have names like the hammer, thumber, scoober, high release, blade, duck and chicken wing.
On YouTube, Sherri learned by watching Frisbee specialist Brodie Smith go through some of his repertoire of trick shots, throwing his disc with uncanny accuracy.
Such was Sherri’s passion for the game that she became dubbed “Ultimate’s biggest fan.”
She and her husband, Rod, who shares her interest, joined the Edmonton Ultimate Players Association (EUPA), which organizes summer, fall and winter leagues, runs two tournaments each year, and supports Edmonton touring teams.
The couple now travel to Edmonton once or twice a week to play in teams.
They also attend Ultimate Frisbee events overseas, such as the national championship at Sarasota, Florida.
“It would be great if we could set up a league in central Alberta,” says Sherri. ”That would be a dream.”
Anyone interested in Ultimate Frisbee, or in setting up a league, can call Sherri at 780-674-6163.
