PLAYING with a frisbee has always been something that has been trivialised as a pastime for young kids as a game of catch, or it’s viewed as the hacky sack of outdoor sports world. However if you search for Ultimate Frisbee on the internet, you’ll see the sport is anything but a joke. Ultimate, as it is known, was formally recognised last year by the International Olympic Committee and could one day be an Olympic sport.
The rules of the game are simple. Teams of seven try to pass the disc up the field à la American football; running with it is not allowed. A team that makes it into the end zone gets a point. The sport has now become one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. It is played in more than 42 countries. One uMgeni Park resident, Manqoba Zulu, is doing everything he can to spread the love for the game and his passion.
The former Northwood School pupil coaches pupils at Rosehill Primary School every week, spreading the sport of Ultimate Frisbee.
“My sister plays it and she was always goading me to try the sport. After high school, my sibling’s competitiveness propelled me to compete with her, it started like a competition. Anytime I could play the game I’d always find a way to get there. It’s an extremely physical sport, contrary to what the image of a frisbee game conjures. There’s a lot of skill and technique involved. It’s a graceful sport and is all about world-class athleticism.
“It’s about enjoying the outdoors while being healthy. The Grade 6 and 7 pupils at Rosehill have showed promise and I think I’ve unearthed a pot of talent in the north. My philosophy is not to over-complicate anything but to teach them the importance of teamwork. I’m also trying to develop my game, ultimately I’d love to represent South Africa at the world champs,” he said.
Zulu has also approached other schools in the area to offer his expertise in an effort to grow the sport.
