The game appeals most to non-traditional athletes who would play the game for the game itself. It poses as laidback sport that mixes elements of other sports such as football, rugby soccer and basketball. The game’s appeal is due to its laidback quality, simplicity and elegance that allow it to attract a lot of new players. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, Ultimate has been one of the fastest growing sports in the USA and one can say that this is true also here in the Philippines. It is a sport that is fairly easy to pick up but, competing at the top level entails a great skill in mastering the art of disc throwing and of course having a lot of speed, agility and endurance.
More than a sport and an activity, Ultimate has become a community. As a community, it nurtures the friendship between teammates and even opposing players. The Ultimate community has also become an instrument to create social connections with others. According to Angelo Umali, head of the Ateneo Ultimate Organization, the game has attracted a lot of new players in such a short time not just because the game is exciting, but because it has allowed many students to create true and lasting relationships with other people. Another Ultimate Player from the ADMU, Lorenzo Bonoan met his current girlfriend from his Ultimate team.
Health Benefits
Ultimate is a full body workout. Since it requires players to run constantly, jump, and throw the disc with a force, it works out the muscles of the lower body such as the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, and also the upper body such as the arm muscles and torso. Since Ultimate is an aerobic workout, it burns a lot of calories, improves cardiovascular health and allows increased endorphin releases which causes the “happy” feelings one gets after exercising. Robi Lachica, another Ultimate player from the ADMU claimed that he lost more than 10 kilograms since he joined the Ultimate org last year. “Frisbee (Ultimate) is like long-distance running but you forget that you’re actually exercising.” Ultimate is truly the ultimate workout.
In the ADMU, one can easily learn the sport by joining Ateneo Ultimate which is the Ultimate community in the Ateneo. LUDA was the former Ateneo Ultimate Community which has been running for four years. However, it was not able to push through this year that’s why Angelo Umali created the Ateneo Ultimate which is not a formal Loyola School Organization. Nevertheless, it allows any student from the ADMU to train and form teams to compete to different Ultimate leagues here in the country.