The ‘European Ultimate Frisbee Championships’ will be hosted by the University of Limerick this July. 

Over 1,300 athletes from 20 European countries will come to Limerick this summer for the European Ultimate Frisbee Championships.  

This builds on the success of UL hosting the World Masters in the niche sport last summer, where over 2,000 athletes participated.  

Tournament director Liam Grant told Moncrieff this week that Ireland is building a reputation as ultimate Frisbee champions.  

He said the Irish women’s team is currently the reigning European champions, having won in 2018.  

He said it will be great for the team to defend their title on “home soil”.  

Rules of ultimate Frisbee 

Mr Grant said ultimate Frisbee is “actually a very high paced team sport” involving a lot of “running, jumping and catching”.  

"Ultimate Frisbee is a team sport, it is played seven-on-seven," he said.

"The object the game is going to catch the Frisbee in the opposition endzone," he said. "Which is quite similar to kind of American football."

Players are typically designated throwers and catchers across the field, depending on their height and ability. Teams can be single-sex or mixed, with mixed games the most popular so far. 

UL Ultimate Frisbee players. Image by Brian Cox Photography.

Mr Grant explained the different techniques involved in throwing and scoring goals.  

“I think everyone's probably familiar with throwing a Frisbee, a backhand throw” he said. “You can [also] throw it upside down, you can flip your wrist.” 

“No more than football, you get way more creative and how you curl the Frisbee and throw it down different flight paths.” 

As a “relatively” no-contact sport, there is a lot of “competing in the air”.  

“Jumping over your opponent to pass the Frisbee, a bit of contact in the air,” Mr Grant explained. “What you might call a ‘hostile pass’ in a game of football... it’s relatively non-contact.  

While specific “discs” with added weight are used in ultimate Frisbee rather than the kind you can buy in a “beach shop”, Mr Grant said these Frisbees still only cost between €6 to €10.  

Popularity 

Mr Grant said ultimate Frisbee is “very popular” in universities across Ireland.  

“Every city would have a club team, there’s a team in Ranelagh and local club teams as well,” he said. “But universities have always been a mainstay. It's kind of a social club itself.” 

He said UL is a “one-stop shop” for the massive event, offering accommodation to participants.  

Mr Grant said the multi-day event will boost tourism in the Limerick area.  

“Limerick is really growing as this sports tourism capital,” he said. “There’s lots of other events coming this year – tag rugby and archery. It’s great for the city and the wider community.”

Main images by Brian Cox Photography.