There are many reasons why so many people choose to play ultimate:
For Fun
Ultimate is really fun!
There’s just something especially awesome about throwing a disc and watching it fly, or chasing one down and reaching to grab it at the last second, all to the roar of your teammates.
Make new friends
The friends you don’t know you have are waiting!
Whether it’s your own team, or the team you’re playing against, you'll meet a variety of great people. Ultimate has a strong community because games are played with sportsmanship as a top priority, and most leagues are co-ed. Stories of long-term friendships and relationships that developed through Ultimate are abundant.
Fitness
Running and smiling are both good for the heart.
Getting outside and breathing hard for an hour or two is a great way to stay in shape. Doing so with your friends is even better.
Low Cost
Ultimate doesn't break the bank.
You need very little equipment to play Ultimate: shorts, a shirt, cleats, and a disc. That’s it!
Variety
There’s something for everyone.
The VUL offers a variety of options to play Ultimate that will appeal to different ages and skill levels. We operate adult leagues and youth leagues in several different formats other than the traditional 7-on-7 game. We offer skills clinics & camps, as well as social events and tournaments to players from beginner to elite levels.
Attitude
Play to win, but play within the rules.
Ultimate is different from most other team sports in that it is self-officiated. We play with no referees. Instead, players make all calls themselves. This means respect, communication, integrity, and sportsmanship are important aspects of the game. In other words: play to win, but play with respect and within the rules. For more, read about Spirit of the Game.
Inclusivity
We're striving for diversity.
Ultimate is a sport that cares about inclusivity. There's plenty of work to do, but positive steps are being made in the sport. We've long been investing programs and resources into women in ultimate. In 2017, the VUL became one of the first leagues in the world to change its policies to be more inclusive of trans and non-binary players, and we proudly welcome LGBTQ2+ players.
Competition
Higher-level competition opportunities are available.
If you like playing Ultimate and start to get quite good, playing at Provincial and National championships may be within your reach. Since Ultimate is a relatively new sport, there are greater opportunities to play at a high level versus other sports. Vancouver is also a hub for elite Ultimate: our city has produced teams that have competed and won numerous national and international championships.