Get to know our team, and how we can help

January 29, 2026

Happy new year! As we celebrate 40 years, we wanted to start the year off right and reintroduce you to the people behind the scenes at Vancouver Ultimate, with reminders around how each one can help the folks at the forefront.

To get in touch with any of our team members, visit our Contact Us page.

Bryant Vergara – Website & IT Manager

As a Software Engineer, Bryant works with us in a fractional role to keep things humming from a technology standpoint. He works closely with Mellenger Interactive—who we contract with to provide support in keeping our website and Enterprise Management System (EMS) running smoothly.

What’s Next for Bryant?
During 2026, Bryant will lead initiatives that will help us clean up our file system, assess our website for improvements, and maximize the benefits of our EMS.

Here are ways Bryant can help you:

Walking you through any issues setting up, accessing, or updating your VUL account
Helping you register for programs or make a payment.
Listening to your thoughts about our website—if there’s something you love or wish were different.
Inviting you to complete a member review of our website, if you’d like to help out!

Josh Ralla – Communication & Events Manager

Josh brings a strong marketing and business background to Vancouver Ultimate, but you’ll see his work most overtly represented on our social Media, newsletters, and targeted email. He’s also bringing our events to life and is excited to plan our 40th Anniversary Gala – tentatively scheduled for October 3rd. Josh works with us four days per week, leaving time for his work with Reign Club.

What’s Next for Josh?
In coming months, Josh will be working with our Broadcasting Partner, Trickshot, to continue improving our livestreams at Vancouver Ultimate tournaments. He will also be developing our brand and communication strategy, and coordinating our next Faces of Vancouver Ultimate feature. New to Josh’s plate this year is grant research and writing—in coordination with our Executive Director.

Here are ways Josh can help you:

Spotlighting your photos, videos, or announcements worth sharing across our socials, website, or newsletters. We love amplifying our community!
Connecting you with upcoming volunteer opportunities across the organization. Let us know how you can help!
Collaborating with local photographers and videographers eager to capture the action.
Introducing ultimate to your students, employees, or community at your local organization
Taking suggestions for our next Faces of Vancouver Ultimate feature—it could be you!

Tristan Brown – Adult Programs Manager

Tristan brings a rich recreational sports-management history to Vancouver Ultimate through his previous work with UBC. As a full-time Program Manager, he oversees our beginner programs, adult rec leagues, tournaments, and touring teams, in addition to field management in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey.

What’s Next for Tristan?
This year, Tristan will be focusing on finding ways to make refinements to our current league and program initiatives, bringing in new program offerings, as well as honing in on member retention. He will also be looking at our field allocation processes, and establishing member pipelines across our services.

Here are ways Tristan can help you:

Helping beginners find the best way to get started in ultimate.
Utilizing feedback from adult rec and touring players about their experience on the field.
Navigating field or washroom issues, or conflicts with other sport groups during our programs or leagues.
Connecting with casual playing groups that aren’t part of the VUL—and learning how we can support them.
Assisting new high school grads find their next step in ultimate.

Pratik Garud – Youth Programs Manager

Pratik works with us full-time, and brings with him extensive experience in sports management and development. He currently oversees our four youth clubs (Canyon, Misfit, Reign, Vortex), programs in schools, youth tournaments, and youth apparel.

What’s Next for Pratik?
2026 will be an exciting time for youth, with Pratik continuing to work with our youth club lead coordinators to create safe, fun, competitive environments for our teams. He will also be developing ways to optimize training for coaches, and looking at strategies for participant and coach retention. Important for this year will also be building positive transitions for youth into adult programming (both recreation and high-performance).

Here are ways Pratik can help you:

Addressing any questions, suggestions or feedback about our current youth clubs (competitive) or recreational programs. He’s particularly excited to hear from teens and parents of teens.
Collaborating with interested parties with expertise to run after-school or in-school Ultimate programs.
Connecting with passionate community leaders looking to grow youth Ultimate in their region.
Exploring possibilities with individuals that can bring expertise to our youth clubs—whether that’s coaching, admin, or sports science.

Rhonda Frizzell – Executive Director

As Vancouver Ultimate’s full-time ED, Rhonda’s focused portfolios include HR and marketing, while overseeing our work under the finance, operations, and programming pillars. While she manages the senior staff team, she is also our liaison with the Board of Directors. Rhonda comes to us with a unique history of leading people-first organizations and initiatives that contribute to sustainable communities.

What’s Next for Rhonda?
Rhonda is looking forward to continuing our infrastructure-based improvements, while introducing a more metric-based operational strategy to the organization. This will allow us to keep the good things going, while we adopt a more refined focus on member retention and recruitment—especially with those who may not yet know about the magic of Ultimate. Rhonda also looks forward to building on our sponsorship model, and exploring a new volunteer network.

Here are ways Rhonda can help you:

Exploring ideas, questions, or feedback from our members or the public about our organization—or the sport as a whole.
Utilizing your feedback to celebrate our staff or volunteers. If you think they deserve special recognition for something you’ve seen, let her know!
Exploring sponsorship opportunities with local businesses and organizations.
Connecting you with upcoming volunteer and employment opportunities at Vancouver Ultimate. Reach out and send in your CV!

Michael Robertson – Board President

Michael is entering his second year as our Board President, and brings a long-ranging background in leadership and marketing. Through his role as President, he leads our strategy-focused board through impactful advisory committees, policy-development, and strategic planning. Michael also acts as the primary liaison with our Executive Director, and chairs our EDI Committee.

What’s Next for Michael?
Michael will continue to build our committee framework, with focuses on player experience, SOTG, awards, finance, and governance. He is also looking forward to his ongoing work in developing Vancouver Ultimate’s brand.

Here are ways Michael can help you:

Connecting members with opportunities to participate on our committees.
Sharing information about becoming a board member.
Discussing ideas specific to EDI and inclusivity at Vancouver Ultimate
Navigating your suggestions and ideas through our new Virtual Suggestion Box…

New—our Virtual Suggestion Box!

Like you, we want Vancouver Ultimate to be better. We’re launching a Virtual Suggestion Box as an easy way to share what’s working, what’s not, and what you’d love to see next. From small issues you’ve noticed and ideas to fix them, to bigger-picture thoughts about league structure, events, equity initiatives, communication, or something totally new, we want to hear it all. This is just one of the ways you can help shape Vancouver Ultimate, alongside volunteering, joining a committee, or getting involved at the board level. Whether you have a quick suggestion or a fully formed idea, your perspective helps guide priorities, spark new projects, and ensure we reflect the community we serve.

Suggestions will be reviewed monthly by our Board President and Executive Director.

Find the suggestion box, as well as the many other ways you can get in touch, on our Contact Us page at vul.ca/contact.