Frisbee players will represent South Africa and Wits at an international tournament in Germany.
FIVE Wits students have been selected to play for the U/24 National Ultimate Frisbee team.
Merete Goosen, Ariel Goldberg, Paul Nussey, Rubina Valodia and Rebecca Potterton, alongside their other team mates will represent South Africa at the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) 2019 World U/24 Ultimate Championships in Heidelberg, Germany from July 13-20.
SA U/24 Wild Dogs head coach Sandra Jordaan said that 60 players had tried out for the team at the trials in November 2018 in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
“The five Wits students were selected based on their disc proficiency, athleticism, defensive ability and their ability to adapt to the coached playing styles and strategies,” said Jordaan.
Wits team manager Caleb Palmer told Wits Vuvuzela that the world competition was held every two years and that the process of selecting a team to represent the country was rather challenging.
“There’s a selection committee which is made up of ex-South African players. There were pre-trials at the end of last year at Wits, and final trials took place in January at Wits. They gradually eliminate players and 30 are selected for the training squad…[another round of trials] resulted in 24 people now in the team”
He added that the team was a mixed bag of players ranging from the University of Cape Town, Wits, University of Johannesburg, professionals and graduates, with some players still in high school.
Wits Frisbee player, Goldberg, told Wits Vuvuzela that he started playing Frisbee two-and-a-half years ago when he came to the University.
“Many members of the current Frisbee team encouraged us to attend the trials,” said the third-year BCom Philosophy, Politics and Economics student.
He added, “I was a bit surprised [to have been selected], very happy, very proud, very excited. Besides playing at a global tournament, [I was excited] to represent Wits and South Africa. [Being selected] definitely has encouraged me to take [Frisbee] further. ”
Jordaan told Wits Vuvuzela that among the criteria used to select the players, the coaches really value “focus on spirit of the game even under tough competitive conditions,” to which Goldberg agreed.
“The journey was made possible by people you play with. It was challenging, but the supportive environment and the people made it an enjoyable experience,” the 20-year-old said.
FEATURED IMAGE: Ariel Goldberg and Merete Goosen earned a spot in national team. Photo: Ortal Hadad
