Northwest Georgia YoungLife and North Georgia YMCA are partnering together to recruit local Ultimate Frisbee male and female players in grades 9-12. The deadline to sign up for the first official Northwest Georgia Ultimate Frisbee League is Sept. 13.
Catoosa County Ultimate Frisbee players go for the Frisbee.Northwest Georgia YoungLife Area Director Raley Parker has coached Lakeview-Fort-Oglethorpe Ultimate Frisbee Team for five years, but he would like to officially form a league for all schools to get involved under the YMCA umbrella. The minimum goal is to recruit four teams. Parker expects to have teams from Ridgeland, LFO, Ringgold and Heritage High Schools. Games and practices will take place at Rossville Athletic Center at the former Rossville High School site.
"Ultimate Frisbee is a 7-on-7 team sport," said Parker. "You pass the Frisbee to your teammate in the end zone to score."
Parker said players will learn to respect themselves, the other team and the rules of the game. No referees will monitor games.
He said once the first team scores 7 points, it becomes halftime.
"I've played Ultimate Frisbee for 11 years," said Parker. "We think running the league through the YMCA will give it support."
North Georgia YMCA Executive Director John Donahoo said playing Ultimate Frisbee is "definitely good aerobic exercise."
Parker describes the game as a combination of keep away and football.
"In Seattle, Washington every high school and middle school has an Ultimate Frisbee Team," said Parker. "The teams are well-known worldwide."
Parker said LFO High School's Ultimate Frisbee Team finished third place in the Georgia State Ultimate Frisbee Tournament twice. He said the team was voted the most spirited team as well.
"For the Y, we want to offer more things for Catoosa County residents to do," said Donahoo. "Partnering with YoungLife has been a good fit. This is our first initiative for the fall, to get the Ultimate Frisbee League up and running."