Blog: "On the Ultimate Frisbee field, everyone is equal"
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year. In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week it’s U for ultimate frisbee, and Matt Shepherd discusses how the sport is adapted for him to play as an amputee.
Matt’s blog:
I first started playing Ultimate at the University of Sheffield in 2009. I was a non-disabled person when I began playing, and after losing my right leg in 2010 I was unsure if I would be able to play the sport again.
When I returned to university my friends at the club welcomed me back and worked with me so that I could develop my skills. I worked hard on my throwing, and also strove to improve my knowledge of the game, in an attempt to overcome the speed disadvantage that I now had.
When I had finished university I stayed in Sheffield and now with the local club, Sheffield Steal.
I train one evening a week, and if there’s a tournament I will play at the weekends too. I also try to go to the gym as regularly as I can, as well as swimming as another way of keeping fit.
I have had my right leg amputated, above the knee. I use a prosthetic blade to play, which enables me to run. However, I compete against other non-disabled players. I can be slower than many others, but I have learned how to manoeuvre myself and how to gain a vital yard or two on my opponents.
I enjoy the competitiveness of Ultimate, but I also enjoy the spirit of the game. The sport is completely self-refereed, meaning respect and honesty are key parts of playing Ultimate. It’s surprising to some that a sport that is played at such high intensity can rely on discussions between players to sort out disputes and infractions in the rules, even at the highest level.
Ultimate is a very inclusive sport. After a game I feel proud of myself. If I have played a highly competitive contest, I feel proud that I have been able to compete at a level with non-disabled opponents. I feel joyful, happy to have played.
The sport is unique in the fact that after every game, the two teams circle up together, and the captains make speeches about the match. It is an amazing feeling when an opposing captain compliments you on something that you have done on the field.
Sport and fitness give me an escape from the hardships that disability can bring. On the field I am able to compete at a par with non-disabled athletes. On the field, everyone is equal.
Read more in the A-Z blogs series.
