Canberra Ultimate creates frisbee program for teen girls

Posted on 24 July, 2019

Could ultimate frisbee be your new favourite sport? A new program is introducing this fun team sport to Canberra teen girls.

If your experience of frisbee has been limited to throwing one around the backyard or beach, you may be surprised to learn that it’s now the basis of a fun and vibrant team sport.

This term, Canberra Ultimate will be running an indoor frisbee program on Fridays in Gold Creek for high school-aged girls, thanks to a grant from the ACT government. But this isn’t your average sports comp: there are no uniforms so players can wear whatever they find comfortable, and the venue is private with attached change rooms. The program will also be run by all female coaches and is open to absolute beginners.

By offering a casual, welcoming environment Canberra Ultimate hopes to encourage girls and young women to get involved and stay involved with the sport. Hannah Monty, Development Officer at Canberra Ultimate, says frisbee is the perfect sport for players of all skill and fitness levels.

“Frisbee is non-contact and social so everyone can play in a comfortable environment with their friends and at the intensity level they want to play at. With little equipment, no referees, or court fees, frisbee is also the best value sport in at ACT, which is a huge drawcard.

“Once people start playing frisbee they get hooked and keep coming back season after season, year after year.”

Hannah says that girls and young women are some of the people most likely to drop out of playing organised sport. Despite the physical and mental benefits of staying active, they often face social barriers and stereotypes that discourage them from joining a sports team or taking a class at the gym.

“At a time of their lives when young women have so much going on and so many changes in their lives, having sport can bring so many extra benefits. Sport is proven to build confidence and self-esteem so much more in girls than in boys.

“It teaches so many transferable skills and studies show that girls who play sport also are less likely to have mental health issues, have more friend groups and are likely to have better grades than girls who don’t play sport.”

Ultimate Frisbee is self-refereed, which helps players to develop their leadership skills, including effective communication, conflict resolution and teamwork, all in the fun environment where girls can run around with friends. Plus, if players sign up for four weeks, they get a free frisbee to keep.

Term kicks off this Friday. Sign up by emailing development@canberraultimate.com or fill in the form at Canberra Girls Play Ultimate

the essentials

What: Canberra Girls Play Ultimate
When: 3.30 – 4.30pm Fridays, 2 August to 13 September
Where: Gold Creek School Senior Site gym
How much: $10 a session of $35 for four weeks