There are three (3) Director positions with a 2-year term to be filled.
Nominees (in alphabetical order by last name)
- Noah Berson
- Relsie Delos Santos (aka Fes)
- Derek Knoechel
- Joshua Tan
- Yaroslav Tarasyuk
- Maria Margarita Tuazon (aka MM)
Nominee Statements
Noah Berson
Hello! My name is Noah Berson and I am running to be on the board of the Vancouver Ultimate League. I grew up on the ultimate fields around Vancouver and I have witnessed the direct positive impact that ultimate has had on those around me. I have played in the league for more than 10 years, captained 8 teams, volunteered with the junior programs and brought over 20 of my non-ultimate playing friends into the sport. My parents even met playing in the VUL! Not only have I witnessed the direct positive impact that ultimate has had on others, ultimate has had an incredibly positive influence on me. I have been looking for a way to give back to the sport that has given me so much. When the email showed up in my inbox asking for nominations I knew this was my opportunity. Just wanting to give back does not qualify me to sit on the board but I believe I have the skills and experience to be a board member that allows this great organization to have a positive influence on even more people. I have sat on more than 8 boards and I have extensive experience in board governance, government relations and media relations. I also have experience managing groups of volunteers, helping organizations through periods of growth and fostering good community relations. My vision for the board is primarily to increase spirit and member communications, but more than anything else - to listen to what the members want and efficiently take the board in that direction.
Relsie Delos Santos (aka Fes)
I mainly want to join the team to expand my connections and make new friendships being new to the city of Vancouver. Having been exposed to ultimate frisbee for two years now, I realize how fun and how challenging the sports could be. With making new team mates, learning more about the game and most importantly, making ever lasting memories with your comrades. With experience of logistic coordinator for more than 15 years (present to this day) and having been involved with youth leadership programs, I do believe that I have the right skills and knowledge to offer.
Derek Knoechel
I have been playing in the VUL since 1999, serving as captain/co-captain for numerous VUL teams. I have a background in coaching and served as a member of the VUL skills clinic team (with VULS Hall of Famer Mike ‘Spud’ Fleury) in the mid-2000s and early 2010s.
Ultimate has been an important part of my life for the past two and a half decades, and I have had the pleasure of playing with and against many of the legends of the Vancouver Ultimate community. I have enjoyed playing ultimate at the recreational, competitive and touring levels, and have two boys who are currently being introduced to the sport. I love Ultimate’s unique sense of spirit, fair play and inclusivity, and value the VULS’ long-standing tradition of preserving these values for future generations of Ultimate players, while also incorporating the vision and passion of newer players who will ensure the continued growth of the sport within the Lower Mainland and beyond.
Professionally, I am a lawyer, practicing primarily in the areas of labour, employment and human rights. I also have experience in providing advice to organizations on human resources, governance and disciplinary matters, as well the development and implementation of codes of conduct.
I served as a member of the BCDSS Board in the 2000s, and have more recently served as a member of the VULS Governance Committee in 2023, assisting with the revision of the VULS Governance Policy and Director’s Guide, Agreement and Responsibilities. If elected, I anticipate continuing to provide input to the Board’s consideration of governance issues as well as to any human resources issues that may arise.
Joshua Tan
I have been playing Ultimate with the VUL since 2011. I first found the sport through the SFU Ultimate Frisbee Club and has been playing ever since. I have had the opportunity to play on various touring teams (Furious,Blackfish) and the Vancouver Riptide while the city still had an AUDL team. I also had many years contributing as a coach to juniors in the Misfit program and has recently returned to co-coaching the Blackfish Open team alongside long time coach Derek Cheng.
With my passion for the sport, I have played in every iteration of the VUL league that has been around:
Teams:
-Summer VUL (G-raff A-ttack, ClamWoW, Stranger Danger, 90’s Throwback)
-Fall Grass (SSB, Fruit Ninjas)
-Fall Turf Hat
-Winter VUL (Gxcci Gxng, Winter Coat, B-I-N-G-O)
Tournaments:
-Turkey Tourney
-Life’s a Beach
-Indoor Beach 4v4
-Elimination 8’s
-Shade’s n’ Hat’s
-BC Place Undercover
Having met my wife and many lifelong friends through Ultimate, I am excited for an opportunity to give back to the league and community.
I aim to improve/support the league through many avenues:
-Continued support of junior programs
-Increasing growth of the league by introducing ultimate to adult players
-Creating a closer relationship between the VUL and touring teams