| The actual date Ultimate started in Hamilton is still questionable. About
eleven years ago a young hip youth pastor was looking for something that
would excite his group of active teenagers. Scott Jones knew about a sport
called Ultimate Frisbee. He got together a group of kids and played a few
games. It quickly became popular, and more and more people wanted to play.
By the next summer four teams were created, and a weekly game was played.
Valley Park was the original site for the games, but quickly became too
small.
1995 saw Ultimate move to the Oval by McMaster University and a league
of six teams was created. Still associated with Paramount church, the
league started gaining reputation with the university, and the city.
96 was a pivotal year, the first touring team was put together –
HUC Obstacle Sticks - Captained by a new comer from out west, the team
traveled to Ottawa to show the rest of Ontario, and surrounding area,
what Hamilton could do. It took well into the second game before the first
ever point was scored, but the mood never changed. Hamilton was a small
6 team league, with no real understanding of what Ultimate could be. Ottawa
was full of experienced teams, teams that didn’t just throw it long
every point, teams that ran circles around us without even breaking a
sweat. It was clear; if Hamilton Ultimate was going to survive it had
to grow. Not just for the sake of growing, but so some real competition
could develop. The westerner Sean Phillips slowly started to get more
and more involved with the league.
Once again, the following summer showed growth for Hamilton Ultimate.
Eight teams forced game times to be split, with two early and two late
games being played in one night. Once this happened it was clear, Hamilton
needed to get serious about Ultimate. Sean all but took over the league
and the changes started. With McMaster being directly beside the present
green space, it only made sense to look for space within the university.
The next few years the league slowly grew with Sean at the helm. Hamilton
had several teams in tournaments all over the place, and even hosted a
tournament – Unknown Legends. But with the league growing, one person
couldn’t give it the attention it deserved. Sean would eventually
move away and the void would need to be filled.
Brett Taylor and Shannon Elliott would be the next to accept the challenge
of developing Ultimate in Hamilton. With Brett and Shannon leading the
way the league grew by leaps and bounds. A second night was added, and
the rugby pitch at McMaster was needed for the increased teams. Hamilton
had now become a well established Ultimate city. Another tournament was
added; the much loved, but often hated, Divine Nines.
The last few years Hamilton has developed a more involved Board of Directors.
Angela Grimminck being the president has focused on the future of Ultimate
by building a relationship with the City, as well as other organizations
in and around Hamilton.
Our tenth year as an official league promises to be our best yet. With
36 teams registered, and lots of social events planned, you can’t
help but notice that Hamilton is ready for Ultimate.
|
