WJUC Preview: Passion, growth and legacy
Thunder and Terra take on the world in Birmingham, UK this weekend.
By Tipman Wong
After the hiatus caused by COVID, Australian Junior Ultimate is back on track for the worlds circuit. The 2022 campaign (a mere 3-4 month campaign to compete in the Trans-Tasman series) was a significant building block to put this program back on track. The 2023/24 campaign is a brave and refreshing start for Australia's junior Ultimate, being the first ever yearlong campaign in Australian Junior Ultimate history, replacing the old model that separate Trans-Tasman series and Worlds as two separated campaigns, to achieve improved fluidity in team development and a more cost-effectivecampaign. The Juniors program in Australia has always been prioritising on the development of the athletes, both on and off the field. For example, this campaign both teams (Thunder and Terra) emphasized allowing these athletes to develop their own identities as elite athletes, recognising this is their first step in their journey to becoming senior representative in the future, and focuses on mental resilience and fundamental skills that they can utilise both as a player or as an individual within the society. However, there is a question hovering above our heads, are these all that the junior program can only offer?
Since the massive growth in Ultimate in Australia in the last decade, the quality of the juniors has also become stronger, one main reason being that these young athletes have the opportunity to compete in various competitions, or even national level competitions. Although we don’t possess the amazing geographical advantage compared to the European countries (plenty of opportunities to play everywhere), or the culture of certain Asian countries (opportunities to train together at least once a month if not more frequent), or the sheer large playing population like US and Canada, these competition opportunities provided these young athletes a platform to experience higher level game play and competition experiences. So, the question remains – we are aiming to develop, but is that all?
This yearlong program included 6 training camps in total (including one that included the Trans-Tasman Series). We firmly believe that competition is one of the best ways for athletes to improve. Therefore, within the 6 training camps, 3 of them were focused on competition – TC 2 included the Trans-Tasman Series, TC 4 included the Thunder/Terra Invitational (we invited Open/Women teams that are competing in the split gender season to play a 1-day tournament) and TC 6 involved game play against established Div1/2 teams for us to mimic potential set up at World’s. The social aspects within these training camps were also the highlights – team trivia, scavenger hunt, talent show etc. were some of the events we organised to foster teamwork and friendships within the teams, as well as within both Thunder and Terra.
Outside of the training camps, benchmarks were established for athletes to keep themselves accountable, focusing on the quality instead of quantity of the sessions. Individual catch ups with athletes were rewarding for both the athletes and staff, where support was given to athletes, and an opportunity for athletes to understand what it means to be an elite athlete and at the same time fulfilling tasks in their other parts of their usual lives.
Here are some points of views from a few Thunder and Terra athletes about the campaign thus far:
Lucas (Thunder):
As time went on, the team was getting significantly better on the field. People settled magnificently into their positions and each line was looking a lot stronger. This all came down to Tippy’s background as an amazing teacher with a psychology degree, which he carried on into the team with his thought-provoking questions amalgamated with his truly stunning—pictureless, black and white power-points and personal guide to reach “optimal arousal”. In the later training camps, our performance in scrimmages against other local Australian Div II and Div I teams proved that we had the ability, the hunger, the vision, to stay competitive and win tough games. By playing to our strong suits individually, whether that would be throwing, acceleration, agility, cardiovascular stamina, vertical jump etc. we manage to outperform the tougher opponents. There was no need for us all to be the same, because it is the difference in us that enables us to become stronger. We are ready to face the challenges at WJUC. We are ready to greet every opponent with 110%. We are ready to show the world that we are here, to make a statement, a legacy. As one unified manifestation of shared hunger and desire, the rest is up to us to show the world who we truly are. Go Thunder!
Ellie (Terra):
This terra campaign has been such a fun and memorable experience! To be apart of a team that values growth, kindness, and respect is truly amazing and creates a space where all players feel included and empowered. Having the opportunity to play with such talented female athletes from across Australia has been so special, and I know that these friendships made throughout the campaign will carry on throughout our frisbee careers and personal lives.
Ash (Terra):
I’ve found the experience to be really fun, but I mostly have loved the motivation it’s given me to push myself physically more than I ever have before. Putting so much work into one sport and keeping my body fit has given me a lot of purpose over the year and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge.
Brenda (Terra):
This campaign has been so great to meet so many other girls our age that share the love for the sport. Building connections and friendships across Australia is really something to cherish and will definitely be a core memory that each of us will look fondly back on.
Ankita (Terra):
Finding girls who share your passion for this sport has been so wonderful and rewarding. additionally getting to play frisbee at a higher standard with people who will push you and cheer you on makes it all the more fun!
The World Junior Ultimate Championships take place in a 2-year cycle. Since the COVID pandemic, WJUC has not been the same. In 2022 WJUC was held in conjunction with the European U17 Ultimate Championships, to form Joint Junior Ultimate Championship (JJUC), as there were significantly lower number of teams from across the globe to attend WJUC itself. WJUC 2024 has included 42 teams, including most nations that participated in the JJUC 2022, but nations such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Latvia, Panama etc. have also come back to join this prestigious event. The competition is looking fierce, with the variety of countries bring the diversity in playing styles and builds, but Australia is physically and mentally ready to compete. WJUC will start on the 21st of July until the 27th of July 2024.
The team staff would like to give a massive thank you and shout out to the parents/guardians, for their support given thus far. As well as the wider Australian Ultimate community's support so far for the campaign (Canberra cup trivia, local sponsors, local sausage sizzles etc.).
We are expecting a huge supporter crowd accompanying Thunder and Terra overseas to the competition, and we are lucky to have had plenty of traction thus far within the Australian Ultimate community, so if you don’t want to feel left out, follow us on our socials and get around them!
Instagram: @aussiethunderultimate @southernterra
Facebook: AustralianU20Ultimate
Tiktok: @frizzlers3 (A few Terra athletes)