Blantyre UltimHAT tournament 2023

In a hat tournament, all registered players are put into mixed teams, where we try to balance the teams on ability.

Below is all the information you’ll need to take part.

Register here: https://forms.gle/F4bxWUFtFtEqqKk39

Jump to specific info:

Location

St Andrew’s High School, Nyambadwe/Ndirande, Blantyre.

Cost

Free to enter.

If you can afford to contribute towards any of the following, it would be greatly appreciated:

  • Food
  • Field hire
  • Party
  • PA

Refreshments

Drinks

Filtered water will always be available for free.

Cold drinks will be available to buy.

Food – for players

  • Friday lunch: provided by the Blantyre team (picnic-style)
  • Friday dinner: not provided, but those who want to can meet at Annie’s Lodge
  • Saturday lunch: lunch by the pool, catered – paid for by Blantyre team
  • Saturday dinner: braai at the party (Chloe, Asher and Ayla’s house)

Spectators

If your friends or family would like to come to watch any or all of the games, they are very welcome.

Please send Asher (+265888055773) their names, so they can be added to the list given to the G4S guards at the gate.

We won’t be providing food or drinks for spectators unless we know by 28th February that they are coming, and they are willing to contribute to the cost.

Programme

DayTimeWhat’s happening?
Friday, 3rd March13.30Registration & shared lunch (provided by Blantyre players)
15.00-18.00First rounds of games
19.00Annie’s Lodge for food and drinks
Saturday, 4th March09.00More games
12.00Lunch (catered) and swimming
14.00Final games (knockout)
18.00Party at Chloe, Asher and Ayla’sPrize-giving
Sunday, 5th March10.00Pick-up games for those whose legs still work

Tournament structure

Games will be 5-aside (5 players on the field from each team).

We are expecting 6 teams of 7 players each.

The final number of teams, and the sizes of them, will be decided on the day, when we have everyone registered.

In the first rounds (Friday afternoon and Saturday morning), all teams will play each other. This will then create seeding for the knockout games on Saturday afternoon, which will decide the winners of the tournament.

Winning a game

First team to 7 wins, no winning margin needed.

Time cap

At 40 minutes a horn will sound. When the horn goes, finish playing the point. If one team is winning, once the point has finished, they win the game. If the game is tied, play a deciding point.

Winning the final

Before the start of the final game the two teams playing will agree whether they stick to the same rules, or whether they would like to:

  1. Introduce a winning margin (i.e. you must win by 2 clear points)
  2. Remove the time cap

Rules

We’ll be using the normal WFDF rules, except for field size and number of players.

We won’t use any special Blantyre or Lilongwe rules, so:

  • No push-ups for out of bounds pulls
  • Anyone can pull (not just the scorer)

Teams

There should be 5 players from your team on the field at all times.

Substitutes may be made in-between points (except in the case of an injury). How teams use their substitutes is up to each team.

As we have attempted to balance teams based on abilities, there will be no required gender split.

How teams are split up

We’re using the The Ultimate Hat‘s website to split the teams, based on the scores each player has given themself.

The super high-tech program takes all the player data and organizes them into even teams based on the following criteria/order:

  1. Team size (make sure each team has as close to the same number of players as possible).
  2. Blantyre/Lilongwe ratio (make sure each team has as close to the same number of Lilongwe players as possible – we want to play with new people!).
  3. Skill (every team will be as close as possible in skill rank).
  4. Height (make sure no team isn’t 6″ taller on average than any another team).
  5. Age (when all else is said and done, try to even out the ages some).

Field size

As we are playing 5-aside we will be using reduced-sized fields. We’ve taken these suggested dimensions from Montreal Ultimate. The shorter field means more players are in range for throwing a goal/assist from more of the field. The shorter endzones mean passes into the endzones have to be more accurate.

Spirit

‘Spirit of the Game’ is essential to keeping ultimate fun and competitive. We want to use this tournament to encourage people to learn about the game, and enjoy playing it; good spirit is at the heart of this.

Spirit Captains

Each team will appoint a spirit captain. They will be responsible for helping to resolve any disputes between players and teams. They will also be responsible for leading Spirit Circles and collecting Spirit Scores.

Spirit Scores

After each game, teams should take a couple of minutes to reflect on how the game went, and fill out a short form to score the other team. The forms should be handed in to the Tournament Director.

Spirit Circle

After filling out your Spirit Scores, both teams should circle up and give the other team brief feedback on what they did well. If there were any issues on the field Spirit Captains could take this time to constructively explain how to avoid them in future games.

Spirit Winners

Using the Spirit Scores, a Most Spirited Team and Most Spirited Player will be awarded at the end of the tournament.

Likely format

DayTimeField 1Field 2Field 3
Friday15.00-15.40X v AB v YZ v C
Friday16.00-16.40Z v XA v YC v B
Friday17:00-17.40Y v ZB v AX v C
Saturday9.20-10.00Z v AX v BC v Y
Saturday10.20-11.00A v CY v XB v Z
Break  LunchBeerTacticsBeer
Saturday14.00 – 14.40P4 vP5 (QF1)P3 v P6 (QF2)
Saturday15.00 -15. 40Winner QF1 vs P1 (SF1)Winner QF2 vsP2 (SF2)
Saturday16:00 – 17:00Final

Locations of key venues

  1. St Andrew’s High School Ndirande Gate (secure parking here, please use this gate): https://goo.gl/maps/w2bgU2DqLqCWJPHH8
  1. Main field, where we’ll be playing
  2. Chloe, Asher, and Ayla’s house: https://goo.gl/maps/ndMAFcaFu84ohhLU7
  3. Annie’s Lodge: https://goo.gl/maps/gz9711gCEzweBLMP6

  Lilongwe ⬆️

                ⬇️ Central Blantyre

Accommodation

We’ll do our best to put up all players travelling from outside Blantyre with one of our players here. If you need accommodation please say so on the registration form: https://forms.gle/tqbyRqt5njs1oL1Q9 

Or send Asher a message on +265888055773

Thanks

Physio services provided by BetterLife Physiotherapy (+265 884 60 11 34)

Graphic design by Keith Tembo (+265 994 34 73 07)

5th Malawi Ultimate Battle

With Tropical Storm Gombe battering Southern Malawi, Lilongwe’s intrepid ultimate team ventured down to Blantyre to defend their title as Ultimate Champions of Malawi.

As rain fell and wind blew the two teams attempted to warm up in far from ideal frisbee conditions.

In spite of the weather, the main game was very well contested and high quality, but ultimately Blantyre’s strength in depth saw them (well, us) through as the winners, regaining the Hippo of Victory.

Chris (Blantyre MVP), Yankho and Andrew with the Hippo of Victory

Blantyre took an early lead and managed to maintain it throughout the game with great team play and considered use of substitutions and team make up. As the travelling team, Lilongwe didn’t have the same options available to them.

The game finished Blantyre 15, Lilongwe 12, with Lilongwe having gone into half time 8-4 down.

Keith keeping score

A beautiful point involving the whole Blantyre team, ultimately scored by Julia and assisted by Danny.

After the main game, we had mixed games with mixed teams drawing on players from both Blantyre and Lilongwe: a youth game and then Africa vs North America vs Europe.

The day finished with a prize giving and party, where, amongst other awards, Richard was awarded MVP for Lilongwe, and Chris for Blantyre.

Huge thanks to Chipiliro Wirima for the photos. If you’d like to get him to photograph your event WhatsApp +265 995 54 88 87.

Lilongwe head to Blantyre to defend their title

This weekend Lilongwe Ultimate will make the trip south to play their old (and only) rivals, Blantyre Ultimate Frisbee. Never a particularly frequent fixture – and made even less so by COVID19 – the Malawi Ultimate Battle returns to Blantyre.

In Lilongwe in 2021 the home team were victorious despite a strong start by the visitors. Blantyre are hoping to regain the crown with their home advantage this time.

Alongside the main event will be a group of other games, including women’s, youth and Malawi vs the world.

Watch this space to find out how it all goes.

Ultimate returns to Blantyre

Yes, this Sunday we’ll be taking the field again for our weekly family pick-up game!

Having taken advice from some of our medically-trained members, we’ve made some adjustments and additional rules to try to minimsie the likelihood of us spreading the virus.

Playing safe

The measures below are to help us to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. They check our health before play, encourage us not to breathe heavily on one another and sanitise regularly.

  • Regsiter if you want to play: bit.ly/bufcovid
  • Mark at least 2m away
  • The stall count will be made from the sidelines
  • Every 20 mins, we will take a 5 min break
  • If you’re on the sidelines, keep 2m away from one another
  • Wash your hands and discs every time you take the field
  • No contact: no hugging/handshakes/high fives
  • No sharing of water bottles
  • There will be no bibs, so please bring a light and a dark shirt

Game details

Venue: Blantyre Sport Club (main field)

Cost: FREE

Day: Sunday

Time: Games start at 3.30

Registration: bit.ly/bufcovid
ALL players must register EVERY WEEK.
You will not be allowed to play until you have filled out the form. You can do this online before coming, or ARRIVE EARLY and someone will help you fill it out on their phone. If you arrive late there is no guarantee someone will be able to assist you until there is a break in the games.

We are hiring the field from Blantyre Sports Club, it is free to play because several members have agreed to sponsor it K5,000 each per week. If you are willing to chip in, please email asher@malawiultimate.com or WhatsApp +265 888 055 773.

WFDF approves Cayman Islands and Malawi as national members

Brings membership to 87 Countries

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is pleased to announce that its Congress has approved the Cayman Islands Ultimate Association and Malawi Flying Disc Federation as its newest Member associations, increasing WFDF’s membership to 87 countries.

“To add Cayman Islands and Malawi to the Flying Disc Family during these difficult times is perhaps a harbinger of the return to the organized practice of Flying Disc sports around the globe and further proof of the effectiveness of the WFDF Development Program,” commented WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch. “To be able to expand our membership in the Carribean and Africa shows how the focus of WFDF’s development efforts are supporting the expansion of Flying Disc in all regions around the world. While efforts are obviously more complicated now, we are looking forward to add other candidates for membership soon despite the difficulties.”

“Cayman Islands Ultimate is extremely proud to be recognised by the WFDF,”  commented Cayman Islands Ultimate Association (CIUA) President Michael Kader. In these difficult times, this is truly comforting news. As we look toward our eventual return to the field, we know that WFDF’s support will aid our efforts to grow the sport of Ultimate in the Cayman Islands.”

Malawi Flying Disc Federation’s (MFDF) Asher Jacobsberg stated “As the representatives of Malawi’s teams, we are excited to have established a federation to further the sport in Malawi. We would like to thank the World Flying Disc Federation for all their support. We are eagerly awaiting the time when we can take Malawian players to international competitions to enjoy this great sport with new people, opening new horizons. ”

The approval was given unanimously by the Congress, comprised of the current WFDF members. WFDF Executive Director and chair of the WFDF Sport for All and Development Commission Volker Bernardi said “This is a great sign of the unity of the Flying Disc family and encourages us very much with our development programs. This brings us closer to our near-term target to have more than 90 members, with a goal of 100 national member Federations by the end of next year.”

Blantyre Ultimate League

We’re now getting so many players involved in Blantyre I think we really have an opportunity to get a league going. I hope this will encourage more teams to get started and for us to develop our skills and tactics.

Structure

Teams

Initially I think we may have enough players for three teams; and we have three venues at which to base them:

  • Limbe at Hillview
  • Sunnyside at SAIPS
  • Nyambadwe at SAIntS

Each of these teams should aim to field a mixed-gender team of between 12-18 players a each Saturday meet-up. It may be that we need to work up to these numbers and we start with teams of 7-10.

Games

If we start with smaller squads then games up to 7 points, with a maximum duration of 50 minutes would make sense. However when we have full-sized squads (14+ players) we should play to 15, with a maximum duration of 90 minutes.

So, with the shorter games we could play 7.30 to 11.00am. With longer games we’d need to incorporate lunch and work out how we avoid playing at the hottest times of the day.

Seasons

What is the best way to create seasons so that we get regular groups of players turning up – and maybe allow/encourage some training too?

  • Games every week?
  • A game one week, then training the next?
  • Games every month?
  • Something else?

Obviously the more frequent the games the shorter the season would be.

Questions

  1. How often should we play?
  2. Can we incorporate training?
  3. How do we divide the teams? Do we allocate players to try to create fair teams; or do we encourage players to play for their local team and develop their team if they are lacking?
  4. Can people switch between teams?
  5. Do we have an age limit or allow everyone to play?
  6. If we do have an age limit, how do we include those outside of it on game days?
  7. How do we deal with gender splits?
  8. What else needs to be considered?

Add your answers and comments below.

To register your interest in playing in the first Blantyre Ultimate League, click here:

Off to SA for All Africa Champs

It had been my hope that we would be able to take a joint Lilongwe-Blantyre team to the All Africa Ultimate Club Championship that is happening this weekend in Johannesburg, but it just proved too expensive for most of our players. There will be Malawian representation at the event, however, as our players were invited to join the All Africa United team. So both Lilongwe and Blantyre are sending a player: Frank ‘Fula’ Makowa and Asher Jacobsberg (me), respectively.

Generous support has been given to ensure that we sent an actual Malawian, who also happens to be one of our best players. Thanks very much to all those who have contributed:

  • Sam (Blantyre)
  • Akeel (Lilongwe)
  • Asher (Blantyre)
  • Mina (Lilongwe)
  • Michael (Blantyre)
  • Sille (Lilongwe)
  • Nick (Blantyre)
  • Chris (Lilongwe)

Just got some Malawi flags for us to take

Any further sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

As a cobbled together team I have no idea how All Africa United will compete against teams that play together week in week out, so we may come back broken men, but hopefully having also had a lot of fun.

Lilongwe women triumph, but Blantyre retain the mixed title

Last month saw the 3rd Malawi Ultimate Battle, between the Lilongwe and Blantyre Ultimate teams.

It was a great weekend of frisbee, with the level of play all around improving each time we meet.

As well as the mixed game for the tile of Malawi Ultimate Champions – to be the holders of the prestigious Malawi Ultimate Hippo – we had three other competitive games.



Women’s game

These kicked off with Lilongwe Women vs Blantyre Women. I’m sorry to say that this was a bit of a whitewash, with the Lilongwe team really outplaying Blantyre. There was no lack of heart or effort from the Blantyre women, but as a club we need to do more to develop our women’s skills.

MVP on MVP action
  • MVP (Lilongwe): Emma
  • MVP (Blanytre): Liana

Malawi vs the World

Our next game mixed up players from Blantyre and Lilongwe, but pitted Malawians against players from the rest of the world.

Fittingly, Malawi were victorious. Hopefully this bodes well for Malawi’s ability to compete on the international stage as Malawi Ultimate develops.

The World, wearing the Malawian flag shirts (confusingly), vs Malawi, in white
  • MVP (Malawi): Andrew
  • MVP (World): Momcillo

Under 20s

Our final warm up game was for our younger players, again the teams were mixed gender and mixed between Blantyre and Lilongwe.

There was fantastic play by all, with skill and commitment matching the, expected, youthful energy!

Caleb showing great form
  • MVP (winners): Momcillo
  • MVP (losers): Chris

Championship game

The final game of the day, which strecthed into the night, was our mixed gender Lilongwe vs Blantyre game.

Lilongwe took the first point easily and Blantyre looked a bit shell-shocked. Blantyre confidence was boosted, however, when Zack Brady pulled off an amazing diving catch to grab the frisbee from Chris’ feet.

Zack pulls off the catch of the game

There was also great defensive play, with Mina blocking Blantyre from what looked like a certain score right on the goal line.

Despite the high stakes, and the game swinging back and forth, excellent Spirit was shown all round, notably by Ian, who took time to explain his thinking and came to amicable agreement over some contentious issues.

The final Spirit Circle of the day
  • MVP: Zack
  • Spirit Champion: Emma

Final score: Blantyre 15 – 11 Lilongwe

3rd Malawi Ulimate Battle

This Saturday will be the third meeting between Malawi’s two biggest (only) ultimate teams. We’ll be competing for the chance to be crowned Malawi Ultimate Champions and win the MUC Hippo Trophy.

Malawi Ultimate Champions Hippo Trophy

In both previous meetings the visiting team has been victorius, this time Blantyre Ultimate hope to break that form.

Before the main event there will be a picnic and various warm-up matches, and afterwards a party at Baobab Backpackers. All players and supporters are encouraged to come to the whole day.

Programme

Venue: Saint Andrew’s International High School, Nyambadwe

13.00   Picnic lunch – Blantyre players please bring a dish to share

14.00   Women’s game (20 minutes)

14.30   Malawi vs The World – mixed Blantyre and Lilongwe teams, Malawians vs citizens of elsewhere (20 minutes)

15.00   Under 20s – mixed younger players from Blantyre and Lilongwe (20 minutes)

15.30   Warm-up game awards

16.00   Headline game: Blantyre vs Lilongwe

18.30   Party at Boabab Backpackers, Sunnyside – including Headline game awards

Rules

Games will be self-refereed and played in the spirit of ultimate and good sportspersonship. If any dispute arises, we will defer to the WFDF rules: https://rules.wfdf.org/

Warm up games

Warm up games will be played on a 20 minute timer. The team with the most points at the end of 20 minutes wins.

Women’s game: if possible, this will be Blantyre vs Lilongwe, otherwise mixed teams.

Malawi vs The World: it’s up to each player to say where s/he is from.

Under 20s: we may change the upper age limit depending on who is able to play.

Headline game

Teams should do their best to have the same gender split. This will likely mean three women on the field for each team.

The headline game will be played to 15, with a margin of at least 2 goals. The hard cap will be 17. This means if one team reaches 15 before the other team reaches 14, they win. However, if the score is 14-14 then the game goes into overtime. To win in overtime a team needs to get a 2 goal lead or reach 17.

There will be a 10 minute half-time break when one team reaches 8 goals.

If neither team has won after 90 minutes (including the half-time break) the game will end; at this point the team with the highest score are the winners; if both teams have the same score the game is a draw.

The winners will take home the Malawi Ultimate Champions trophy. In the event of a draw it shall stay with the current holders.

Download: Programme and Rules