Grab a disc -Winsted Ultimate Frisbee Club welcomes new players

WINSTED — One group of athletes in town think that they have the found the “ultimate†team sport.

The Winsted Ultimate Frisbee Club has been tossing the plastic flying disc about Rowley Field on Monday and Wednesday afternoons for the past several years.

The club, which is made up of about 30 regular male and female players, was first formed six years ago by Raymond Robillard, a math teacher at The Gilbert School.

Robillard said the club initially began as part of the Winsted high school’s extracurricular program.

“I had been playing ultimate for a few years by that point and thought a club could be succesful as an after-school activity,†he said.

Robillard said he first started playing the team sport in college, after a friend instructed him that he had no choice: He had to play ultimate Frisbee that day.

“She wouldn’t let me say no,†he said. “The rest is history.â€

In ultimate Frisbee — known as “ultimate†to those who are big fans of the fast-paced sport — two seven-player squads face off. The object of the game, which is similar to football, is for each squad to score points by catching the Frisbee in the opposing team’s end zone.

The game also incorporates elements of soccer, as the players of each squad — unless they are in possession of the Frisbee — run around the field to get into position to catch the next pass and  move the play upfield. Players in possession of the Frisbee, however, are not allowed to move, but instead must find an open teammate to pass to in only a matter of a few seconds.

“Ultimate is a transition game in which players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers that occur with a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than 10 seconds,†according the the Ultimate Players Association, the sport’s official national governing body.

The sport’s quick pace and accessabilty have helped it to steadily gain in popularity, not just nationally, but here in Winsted as well.

Robillard said over the years, the club has had about 150 players. He added that at any given meetup, there are anywhere from 10 to 30 players ready to take part in a game.

“The numbers have definitely gone up over the years as a result of returning alumni adding to the number of active high school-aged players,†he said.

Robillard said the club has also proven a popular local group activity because it is a good way for students and other residents to socialize and meet new people.

“Even though many of our members attend The Gilbert School, the club is open to anyone,†he said.

Regular participants include students from Northwest Regional High School and Litchfield High School, Gilbert School alumni, as well as a handful of older residents.

Robillard added that members also seem to take great pride in the club.  

“There are some members of the club who aren’t the type to get involved in much else, so it is nice to see them so enthusiastic about it,†Robillard said. “Of course the positives of exercise and learning teamwork can’t be overemphasized.â€

The club is always open to new members. There is no fee to play, although players are asked to bring a blue or gold shirt to help differentiate the two competing squads.

“We love having new members,†Robillard said.

The Winsted Ultimate Frisbee Club maintains a page on Facebook, which provides a central location for members to interact, as well as providing information about the club itself.

“And if you don’t know how to play, it’s no problem,†he said. “We will teach you.â€

The Winsted Ultimate Frisbee Club meets Mondays and Wednesdays at Rowley Field from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The co-ed club is open to both men and women of all ages and ability levels.

For more information, e-mail Raymond Robillard at robillardr@gilbertschool.org or visit the club’s page on Facebook by doing a search for Winsted Ultimate Frisbee Club.