North Bay Women Ultimate players are set to represent the city at the Canadian Ultimate Championships this year, after a long hiatus from the event. This will be their first time entering the Women’s Masters division at the competition.
Ultimate is a 7-on-7 non-contact sport that self-referees, even at the highest levels of competition.
The sport was created in New Jersey back in 1968 and was more recently recognized by Sport Canada (2012) and by the International Olympic Committee (2015). Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, North Bay consistently sent teams to represent the North Bay at this National event. The city has sent teams in multiple divisions; Open/Men's, Women’s, Mixed, Junior's, and Men's Masters. However, this is the first entry for a local Women’s Masters team.
To qualify for the Masters division, ladies must be over 30 years of age. The team is excited to be back on the map and compete in the Ultimate scene with many other players from across Canada.
The event takes place in Ottawa on August 6 and 7.
The team hopes to send 14 female players from North Bay. Athletes have multiple costs to cover, from individual membership fees to Ultimate Canada, team registration fees, along with two nights of accommodations, uniforms and travel expenses to Ottawa.
"We have an amazing group of talented women coming together to make this possible," said Kelly Smirle, a member of the local Women's Masters team.
" And we thank the North Bay Ultimate Players Association for its support and encouragement. All team members are excited to represent the City of North Bay, at the 2022 Canadian Ultimate Championships, in the Women’s Masters division, this year in Ottawa."
For more information or if you want to help out you can email Jeff Smith at [email protected] or check out their Facebook page HERE
