The Shanghai Ultimate Frisbee Tournament's tenth anniversary
In ten years time, Shanghai has reached near-record setting heights, architecturally and economically. Similarly, another Shanghai institution has grown from a fleeting idea to a full-fledged community. In 1998, a few individuals got together to form the Shanghai Ultimate Players Association (SUPA), a group of expats and Chinese nationals with a love for flying discs and open fields.

On the weekend of June 21, SUPA hosts its tenth annual Frisbee tournament. Over those ten years, the Shanghai Frisbee community's growth has mirrored that of the city it calls home. Membership has grown to encompass a hundred-strong community of like-minded sports enthusiasts. "SUPA used to be a few hacks tossing a disc on the field or playing pick-up," says Glenn McCarthy, an entrepreneur with more than ten years in the city. As Shanghai's economic and cultural profile has grown, students and young professionals are immigrating here in increasing numbers. "Now the community has serious former college players and high-level competition."

As Shanghai has long been an incubator for government-led pilot programs, which when successful are spread across the mainland, the growth of ultimate Frisbee in the city has similarly been replicated all over China. "The sport has grown at an exponential rate," says Jud Wilmont, a film producer, director and Frisbee advocate. "It has taken a while but now there are over 15 teams throughout China." There are now teams in Beijing, Ningbo, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with interest as far away as Guilin and Kunming. Many of those teams will be coming to the mid-June tournament, joining international squads from Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand. This year's tournament will be the biggest yet, with participant attendance expected to reach 300 players.

Despite the changes in the city and the growth of the tournament, the one constant through it all has been a core group of Frisbee lovers in Shanghai that are here for the long term. "I remember sitting in a chair on the plush grass with a beer in hand, some barbecue in the background and people just hanging around throwing the disc while the sun began to set," Wilmont recalls of the first Shanghai ultimate tournament, which he directed. "It's a warm feeling, one that reminds me of home." Wilmont expects more of the same at the tenth annual tournament. It's nice to know that while skylines change, some things stay the same.

Jeff Jørve

Details

When: 9am-5pm, June 21-22
Where: Dulwich College Shanghai
Web: http://www.shanghai-ultimate.com
Cost: Free