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By Dan Plouffe
The Ottawa Outlaws lost their home opener 23-19 to the Toronto Rush, but there were plenty of reasons to for the new American Ultimate Disc League franchise to celebrate nonetheless on April 25.
They were able to hold their own against the past AUDL champs who have lost only twice in their 2+ seasons in the league, and more importantly, they’d just introduced pro ultimate to an enthusiastic gathering of frisbee fanatics who filled the majority of the stands at Carleton University.
“Man, it was electric,” smiles Scott Westwell, one of three team captains. “We play out in Manotick most days amongst ourselves. To come out here and to know that the ultimate community is reaching so many people that you never even knew, it’s really, really cool.”
Westwell took up ultimate a dozen years ago in high school and was previously the captain of Ottawa’s top amateur team, Phoenix. He says he doesn’t want to think about how much he’s spent to participate in the sport throughout his career, but marvels at the fact his expenses are now covered and he can even make a few bucks playing.
“I got into it because it’s a fun sport to do. You got out with friends, and there was a great sense of camaraderie between teammates,” recalls the Nepean High School grad. “Now you have a legitimate team, fans and a stadium, and TV and reporters – it’s unreal.”
Including some of the students Westwell now teaches at Canterbury High School and others Outlaw players worked with during a winter youth league, there were an impressive number of young fans amongst the crowd.
“I think it’s awesome for the future of the sport,” says Outlaws co-owner/coach/player/captain Karl Loiselle, who started playing ultimate at age 20 himself. “When kids are getting into it when they’re 10 years old, that’s pretty cool.
“We’re happy that so many people came out to support us. It was amazing.”