Seven teams to compete in John Curtin Ultimate Team Tournament

Miri – 2 September 2013 – The John Curtin Ultimate Team Tournament 2013 to be held at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) as part of its Curtin  Sarawak Open Day 2013 attractions on 14 September 2013, has attracted the participation of seven teams from Miri, Brunei, Sibu and Bintulu, including one from the university itself.

This Ultimate Frisbee tournament is being organised by the university’s Curtin Ultimate Club under the leadership of president Jeff Chua with the support of the Sports & Recreation Section, Department of University Life, and the Curtin Sarawak Open Day committee.

According to Chua, the Curtin Ultimate Club aims to promote Ultimate Frisbee in Miri and Sarawak through the tournament, as well as improve the skill levels of players here.

For the uninitiated, Ultimate is played between two teams of seven players on a large rectangular pitch. A line drawn is across the pitch at either end, creating two ‘endzones’ like in American football which are the goal-scoring areas. A goal is scored when a team completes a pass to a player standing or running in the endzone they are attacking.

Players cannot run with the disc and when they receive the disc, they must come to a stop and try to throw it to another player, much like in netball. By passing from player to player, the offence attempts to work the disc up the pitch towards the endzone they are attacking. If the disc hits the ground or is intercepted or knocked down by the other team, then the opposition takes possession. Possession also changes if a receiver is outside the playing area when he or she catches it.

The defending team attempts to stop the team with the disc from making progress upfield by marking them, as in soccer or basketball. The theory is that the offence would not want to pass to a player who is being marked closely, as it is likely to result in an interception. So, it boils down to the offence players trying to get free of their markers to receive a pass, while the defence makes every effort to stay with them in the hope of forcing a turnover.

Team tournaments are common in the Ultimate community and the main aim of the tournaments is the forming new connections within the Ultimate community. Ultimate is known for its ‘Spirit of the Game’, often abbreviated to SOTG, and the tournaments emphasise having fun, socialising and meeting other players. Furthermore, Ultimate’s self-officiated nature demands a strong spirit of sportsmanship and respect.

This John Curtin Ultimate Team Tournament 2013 will be held at the university’s football field. It will start at 8 am with a round robin match and, following a lunch break from 11 am to 1 pm, will continue with a cross over match from 1 pm to 2 pm, and the final from 2 pm to 3 pm.

Members of the public who are interested to know more about the sport and how Ultimate tournaments are played are most welcome to the event. For more information, contact Spancer Biondy of the Sports & Recreation Section at 085-443939 ext. 5028, or email spancerbiondy@curtin.edu.my.

Curtin Sarawak Open Day is that special occasion each year when Curtin Sarawak opens its doors and showcases all that it has to offer to the local community. Full information on the event can be obtained at www.curtin.edu.my/openday2013, by calling the event secretariat at +60 85 443806, or e-mailing corpcomm@curtin.edu.my.

Catch the action during the John Curtin Ultimate Team Tournament at Curtin Sarawak on 14 September.