UC student flying high with national frisbee selection

Vanessa Lam

23 May 2016: A University of Canberra student is set to reach new heights after being selected to represent Australia at the World Flying Disc Federation 2016 Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championships in Poland.

Bachelor of arts/law student Ryan Waters has been named in the U20 men's team, Aussie Thunder, to compete in the championships in Wrocław, Poland from 31 July to 6 August.

Mr Waters said he was excited to make the team after attending a number of competitive selection camps.

"I was pretty nervous about it, so to be told I was in was a huge relief," the 19-year-old said. 

"I'm really looking forward to playing in a high level competition against really good teams.  I'm training hard for it," he said.

Ultimate frisbee is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc (frisbee). The game is self-refereed, with points scored by passing the disc to a teammate in the opposing end zone.

The Canberran has been playing ultimate frisbee for four years and is a part of the University of Canberra's ultimate frisbee team, the UC Buckets. 

"I really like the culture involved in frisbee and it's been lots of fun getting to play with the UC Buckets. The environment was very welcoming last year when I first joined and I've made close friends playing frisbee at UC, all the people involved are great," he said.

This will be the biggest competition Mr Waters has entered, after previously taking part in Eastern University Games and the Trans-Tasman series in New Zealand last year.  The championships will see him compete against 40 other teams including Great Britain Ultimate and USA Ultimate.

Mr Waters has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for himself and fellow Canberra Ultimate players Bill Foreman, Rachel Joyce and Miriam Downey.

They are hoping to raise $6,000 to help cover tournament fees, accommodation, flights and more. You can support Mr Waters and his teammates here.