For the first time, the City of Orillia is starting an Ultimate Frisbee league this September.
“It’s a really popular sport so it’s nice that we can get it started," said Blaire Gunnarson, the city's sport and senior recreation coordinator.
“A community member reached out to me, showing interest in starting the league. He mentioned that it is a popular sport in Orillia and that he’d like to see a league," Gunnarson added of the league's origins.
The city recognized this as a "valuable opportunity" to expand the community’s recreational offerings and saw it as a chance to engage more residents in an active, team-oriented sport, Gunnarson added.
After only two weeks of registration, enough players and teams have signed up to guarantee the league will run.
"The quick response is exciting and confirms the strong interest in this sport within our community."
The league will run for eight weeks on the artificial turf field at the West Orillia Sports Complex on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Play is open to men and women ages 18 and up and no special equipment is required other than a good pair of running shoes.
Official 175-gram Ultimate Frisbees will be used.
It's non-contact play with a five-on-five format played on a half field. A self-governed league, there are no referees or coaches. Teams will be made up to ensure some substitution.
The league is recreational, but players can enjoy competitive matches while also enjoying a casual and friendly atmosphere.
"It allows people who don’t have a large group of friends who play to be placed on a team and it cam be played by a wide range of ages."
Registration is open until Aug. 27 through orillia.ca/programs or in person at the Orillia Recreation Centre. The cost is $312 per team, while individual registration is $40.95 for residents of Orillia and $53.25 for non-residents. The league will start Sept. 4.
