Ultimate frisbee continues to see steady growth at BC Interior schools

The frisbees and the athletes were flying at the Kelowna Secondary School Ultimate Invitational Tournament this past weekend.

More than 15 teams from across the province converged at Mission Recreation Park to compete – a sight much different from less than 10 years ago.

“Actually, that's kind of the incredible thing. I played high school ultimate for KSS (in) 2016-17 and we would be like a footnote for the normal Kelowna tournament,” explained KSS assistant coach Jakob Von Andrian.

The coach added that this particular tournament has been around for the past few years and that it is exciting to see the “huge growth and a bunch of students just killing it.”

Ultimate has been an official school sport in BC since 2018 and this season BC School Sports began doing power rankings for the first time.

“I think ultimate is on the map because it's so different from any other sport,” added Von Andrian.

“I think it's the only sport I know of that you really need two people to score. You can't just win it alone.”

The KSS team comprises students ranging from Grades 10 through 12, many of whom play all three high school years in the short seasons that span April and May.

“We started as a bunch of athletes thrown together and I think we've seen so much growth already,” said team captain Jaime Ovstaas on how the season has gone so far.

“I'm so excited to see where the team goes when we play at valleys and zones and hopefully provincials, but I'm really proud of all my teammates for how far they've come.”

The 2024 BC high school AA and AAA provincials are set to take place in Kamloops at the end of May, where the hometown team will look to make a name for themselves.

“I think South Kamloops (SKSS) is one of those teams that are really giving the Lower Mainland a run for their money, which is awesome to see,” added Von Andrian.

“Once we (KSS) get another building year in, I think we'll be doing the same.”