The Frisbee is no longer limited to parks or backyards, holding just as much importance as a football, basketball or any other playing object in its respective sport of ultimate.
The growing sport has a large following across the world and its popularity isn’t lost on residents of the UAE, which is why the creation of the United Arabian Ultimate was so necessary.
After co-founder Patrick Fourcampre-Maye moved to Dubai in 2009, he fell in love with the game and has been completely invested ever since.
“The thing that draws you in from the start is the subtle things of a Frisbee. You throw a Frisbee around, just the way it flies and you chase after it and make the catch, that’s kind of the initial appeal,” Fourcampre-Maye said.
“But when you start playing, it’s the people that play the game. They’re so friendly. I think it’s a function of how the game is played because there is no referee. You have to know the rules, respect the players and have what we call ‘the spirit of the game’.”
The Englishman was part of a group of ultimate players who put their heads together in 2013 to form United Arabian Ultimate.
Though the sport was already somewhat established in the region, United Arabian Ultimate brought much-needed structure and organisation which was previously lacking. The community now represents more than 20 nationalities playing across the UAE and is recognised as the country’s representative of the sport by the World Flying Disc Federation, the sport’s governing body.
United Arabian Ultimate host clinics, tournaments, training sessions, pick-up and send UAE teams overseas for competitions, but hands down their most impactful venture was winning the bid to host the World Championships of Beach Ultimate in March 2015.
“I think that introduced the ultimate-playing community to Dubai and the UAE. It also created a lot of interest here,” Fourcampre-Maye said of the event, which saw more than 1,200 athletes compete over six days.
“It’s growing but it’s still probably a niche sport. It’s not like soccer or rugby here. It will only grow if the players here and the association we have now work hard to get the sport out there.”
Next on the calendar for the UAE teams is the Boracay Open International Frisbee Tournament in the Philippines in April, followed by the World Ultimate and Guts Championships in London in June.
For those interested, pick-up is held Fridays at 16:30 at JBR Beach in Dubai and Wednesdays at 18:30 at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi. A year-long membership, which comes with various perks, costs Dh100 per person.
What: United Arabian Ultimate
Founded: 2013
Geared towards: Ultimate enthusiasts
When & where: Pick-up on Fridays at 16:30 at JBR Beach in Dubai and Wednesdays at 18:30 at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi
Contact & info: Visit www.unitedarabianultimate.com for more information
