Organization aims to create
positive experience for all
By Darren
Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
 |
| A smart pass is made in SUDS action at the Indoor Training Centre. |
Back in 2010, Bouvier started out playing the sport as a substitute player on a friends’ team. Her friend knew Bouvier enjoyed running and figured ultimate frisbee would be a great sport for her to try.
“I showed
up, and I ran around,” said Bouvier. “I played five or six games that first
summer season, and I was hooked.”
From that beginning, Bouvier started her journey playing in the sport’s competitive scene and eventually becoming the Vice-President of the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society (SUDS), which is the organization that oversees the sport of ultimate frisbee for Saskatoon and area.
After playing in SUDS run leagues for over 10
years, Bouvier decided it was time for her to give back to the sport. She said
the people she has met and became friends with in the sport have been really
good to her over the years.
“The thing
I love most about ultimate frisbee is the community and not only the community
here in Saskatoon but across the country,” said Bouvier. “Everyone involved in
the sport is so welcoming and friendly.
“I love
meeting new people and going on new adventures, while playing a sport I love.”
While
ultimate frisbee was created in the late 1960s, SUDS had its origin in 1994 as
an ultimate club with the original name of “Chocolate Starfish.” A year later,
club changed its name to “Sun & Moon,” and in 1999, the club became a
league called the “Sun & Moon Ultimate League.” In 2002, the “Sun &
Moon Ultimate League” became incorporated as a non-profit organization and took
on its current moniker.
 |
| Post-game high fives are part of the upbeat atmosphere at SUDS games. |
The
organization offers coaching to players under 18 years of age, collaborates
with the City of Saskatoon for sport clinics and helps facilitate new player
clinics to introduce newcomers to the game.
The events
SUDS oversees include tournaments - indoors on turf and outdoors on grass - as
well as a fundraising event that is led by Ultimate Canada. SUDS also
collaborates with their provincial sport organization in the Saskatchewan
Ultimate Players Association for provincials.
“Ultimate
has gained worldwide recognition as a fast-paced, low-cost sport that emphasizes
sportsmanship through Spirit of the Game,” said Anna-Lise Hodgins, who is the
General Manager for SUDS. “It’s easy to learn, requires little equipment and can
easily be played in any open space.
“The basic
skills of the game – throwing, catching, running and jumping – make for an easy
transition for athletes from other sports, both team and individual. New
participants often indicate that the strong sense of community at all levels of
play make for a rewarding experience on and off the field.”
SUDS has
regularly used the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex
grounds pretty much since it opened in 2019. It is impossible to miss the
upbeat atmosphere that is present during SUDS activities on the indoor turf
field.
 |
| SUDS has a variety of leagues in order to gain a broad appeal. |
“This sport
is a great way to meet new people, get moving and it is probably the most cost-effective
sport available to both adults and youth.”
Hodgins
said the positive vibes felt at SUDS events at the Indoor Training Centre
result from the players truly respecting the Spirit of the Game.
“Ultimate
frisbee is unique in that it is self-officiated with players responsible for
resolving any disputes that arise on the field,” said Hodgins. “Spirit of the
Game governs the sport in terms of athlete conduct and score evaluation.
“The sport
emphasizes fair play, sportsmanship and athleticism making it a popular choice
for those looking for a fun and competitive way to stay active.”
Over the
years, Bouvier said the sport of ultimate frisbee has a vast number of great
memories. Some of her best memories have come in more recent times.
“My biggest
highlight has probably been this past season where I played in 18 different
tournaments in 11 different cities in three different countries,” said Bouvier.
“I played in three national divisions in senior, masters and grandmasters.
“For
masters, our team placed fifth, which was our best placement yet. I played at
the World Beach Ultimate Club Championships in Portimão, Portugal. That was my first-time playing
beach ultimate, and I had a great time.”
 |
| SUDS action has been a regular site at the Indoor Training Centre. |
“I also
played in USAU (USA Ultimate) regionals with a team based out of Houston,” said
Bouvier. “Regionals were hosted in Oklahoma City.
“I have
also participated in the Ultimate Canada Conference that is held each November
in different locations around the country. I gained so much knowledge and
experience playing in so many different environments with many different
people, and I think this has been the highlight in the ultimate world, so far.”
The
familiar refrain with ultimate frisbee is the great people in the game makes
participants want to stay in the sport. Hodgins first experienced that in 2004,
when she was introduced to ultimate frisbee as a multi-sport athlete at age 16.
She was introduced to the sport by her cousin from Vancouver, who moved in with
her family at that time to get her degree at the University of Saskatchewan.
Hodgins
said ultimate frisbee was her cousin’s primary sport growing up in Vancouver,
and at the time, she played on different national teams and even won worlds.
Following that introduction to the game, Hodgins said the people in the game
have kept her in the sport.
“The local,
provincial, national and international community of ultimate players are unique
athletes who value inclusion and equity and perform beautifully with a flying
disc,” said Hodgins. “It has a magnetic energy that has kept me in the game for
20 years already.”
Looking to the future, Hodgins said SUDS envisions growth and focus on supporting youth and marginalized athlete to help them find and experience with ultimate at their school or in their community. For a second straight year, SUDS will be participating in the YXE Urban Games, which is a summer event in Saskatoon that blends competitive sports and cultural exhibitions.
 |
| SUDS players respect the Spirit of the Game. |
“With the passion of the ultimate community as strong as it
is, I believe ultimate frisbee in Saskatoon is going to excel above and beyond
where we have seen it in the past,” she said.
For more information about the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society and the programs they offer, feel free to check out website at Saskatoonultimate.org.
