Ultimate trip to Germany for local frisbee fanatics

John Van Klaveren
NINE Geelong frisbee players are off to Heilbronn, Germany, as part of a 40-strong Australian squad competing in the world championships.
Geelong has also supplied the team manager, Andrew Gruntovs, for the 2010 World Junior Ultimate Championships from August 2 to 7.
But using the term frisbee was a bit of a misnomer, Mr Gruntovs explained. “The game is called ultimate and uses a disc with a lot more flexibility, accuracy and control than your standard toy but it operates on the same principle as a winged aerofoil.”
The sport was self-refereed, Mr Gruntovs said.
“It’s the only continuing sport in world that is self-refereed, even at world championship level.
“It’s fantastic because it breeds spirit and, while there are disputes, it’s always settled on the field by the two players concerned and the game goes on.
“Voting for most valuable player always takes into account to a great degree the way players handle decisions within a game.”
Mr Gruntovs said ultimate was a non-contact team sport with seven players a side.
The players passed the throwing disc passed around until a score was registered when a player caught the disc being in an end-zone.
Mr Gruntovs said the Geelong club played every Tuesday night at Highton reserve, with monthly “frolf” – a cross between frisbee and golf – at Johnstone Park.
Mr Gruntovs said the sport had a strong social aspect for its 14,000 registered players across the country.
The nine Geelong representatives had to raise $6500 each to pay their way to the world championships.
“We’ve done a lot of fundraising, and players have worked part-time jobs to raise the money,” Mr Gruntovs said.
“Because we have so many great junior players in Geelong, we’re looking for some corporate or individual support.”
Mr Gruntovs asked prospective sponsors to phone him on 0414 538 131.