2015 Australian Youth Ultimate Championships wrap up. The weekend of 6-7 June 2015 saw the return of the Australian Youth Ultimate Championships (AYUC) for the third time, this year in Sydney, New South Wales.

Western Australia (WA) were very excited to be a part of the AYUC this year again after a dominant performance at the 2014 championships and this year also saw the return of the Girls division at AYUC with four teams battling it out; NSW X, NSW Y, VIC and WA. The Boys division hosted five states; ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC, and WA.
The U18 Team WA campaign started with the announcement of the teams being formed, expressions of interest for coaches and managers, expressions of interest for players, followed by the announcement of the head coaches and managers, then the announcement of the teams. The representative team was chosen from two selection events held on the 13th and 20th of April 2015.

The 2015 Under 18 Western Australian Teams List:

 Team Manager: Kirsten Chick & Rhiannon Coad

Day 1:
Game 1- WA v NSW (Y) (7-8) GIRLS
First game ever for a WA U18 girls team and we did not disappoint! The girls went out hard for their first game ever playing together, still working out connections and getting used to the next level of competition for their age group. NSW put two quick scores on the board but WA responded with three in a row. Energy levels were high for both teams and they continued to apply defensive pressure to a very strong NSW team. This became a pattern for the rest of the game, NSW would get two points and WA would reply with three points. The scores narrowed in the end and when the final siren went were set to play our first universe point game. NSW were too strong in the end, scoring off a hammer to take the game.
Game 1- WA v VIC (7-8) BOYS
It was a tough first game with our friendly rivals Victoria, both teams came out strong with Vic getting early points on the board. WA responding by scoring 4 in a row to tie it up 5-5. Victoria kept pushing with a strong zone defense. When the siren went VIC scored, making it 7-5 and a game to 8. WA fought hard and pinned it back to 7 all. Victoria taking the win on universe point.
Game 2- WA v VIC (6-8) GIRLS
Pumped from a close first games the girls went on to face Victoria next. A close game until the end with both team making big grabs and applying strong defensive pressure. Our girls were really connecting and making sure of their run through D’s. In the end VIC got a couple of late goals and took the match.
Game 2 – WA v NSW (6-14) BOYS
After an excellent first game, WA knew they had to come out strong against NSW. After beating them in last year’s grand final they were surely out for revenge. Their strong defence and clean offense was hard to stay on Top of, putting 3 early points on the board WA called a time out and re-grouped. Getting ourselves on the board added to our confidence and flow but NSW were too strong and continued to pull away from WA.

After lunch the girls division broke up into four new teams and played a mini hat tournament. This was to allow for not only variety in the tournament format but allow them all to play and meet other athletes from different states. It was a great success and a fun way to finish off day one of the national championships.
Game 3 – WA v QLD 6-12 BOYS
QLD come out strong putting the first 2 points on the board. The WA boys were working hard to find their way through the zone as the Sydney afternoon breeze picked up. The hard work continued as they managed to hold QLD scoreless for a while. QLD showed us a few tricks of their own breaking our forces and running away with the game.

Day 2:
Game 4 – WA v ACT 7-12 BOYS
Early morning with a few sore legs, wind was picking up and there was a very tough game ahead of WA. Both teams started the game trading points waiting for that slip up in the defence, unfortunately ACT were the first to score the break point. WA kept on fighting with some clean and tidy offense and outstanding end zone defence! The sideline was finally up and about and getting louder as the points went on. ACT managed to take the half and continue their strong performance with some excellent long throws to take the win.
Game 3- WA v NSW (X) (7-4) GIRLS
Game three for the WA girls and the last game in the round robin against the other NSW team. A win in this game would determine the placings going into the semi-finals. After coming off two close loses yesterday the girls were eager for a win. There was a strong breeze for the first game and any point up wind would give either team a massive advantage. WA hit out strong with the first goal down wind and the NSW X were quick to respond. Neither team were able to convert into the wind making each offensive downwind score more important as the game progressed. WA were able to capitalised on their intense defense late in the game and score not one but two points into the wind giving them the break they needed to take out the game by three points. This winning margin secured them in the number two spot over all going by point’s differential and they moved on to face VIC in the semi-finals.
Bronze Medal Qualifier – WA v QLD 0-15 BOYS
Our biggest game of the tournament alongside our best! The winner of this game against QLD got to play off in the Bronze Medal Match. We had played them the day before and it was time to do it again. WA knew they had to come out strong this time and started just so, taking their tactics to a new level to try and stop the smooth QLD offense. Although it was our best game yet, unfortunately the score line didn’t reflect it. Displaying clean and crisp downfield movement and offensive plays, WA couldn’t quite get the reward turning it over in the end zone about 20 times. QLD were quick to the disc and made sure they capitalised on our mistakes taking the win 15-0. The WA Boys team finished their 2015 AYUC campaign with a big loss but very high spirits as we belted out the biggest cheer we could.
Semi Final – WA v VIC 8-6 GIRLS
Having played VIC the day before the girls knew they were in for a close battle coming off a massive win against NSW though confidence was high and all were eager to secure another win for the tournament. Again the wind was a big factor in this game and both teams were only converting downwind, trading point for point for most of the game. The greatest play of the tournament came late in the semi-final after a big throw went up and athletes from both team went up in a pack. The disc deflected off hands in the pack and from nowhere Jamie Castleden made a massive layout to take the grab in the end zone. This epic play gave WA the inspiration they needed to run out the game and move on to take their place in the Grand Final.
Grand Final – WA v NSW (Y) 3-12 GIRLS
A massive weekend of ultimate for the girls and making it to the grand final was unexpected but a welcomed challenge none the less. Pumped from their two epic wins that morning the WAWA girls were looking forward to their first ever final with our WA boys on the sideline cheering louder than ever. NSW came out hard and capitalised on some nervous errors putting six unanswered points on the board. Our connections were there we couldn’t convert when it was needed. No player ever stopping running making amazing run through D’s until the very last point. It looked like WA were staging a the biggest comeback ever putting three scores in a row together but the day belonged to NSW, deserved champions for 2015. All the girls were exhausted but proud of their efforts. It was an amazing experience for all involved. Special thanks to our team mates and new friends, Ava Mueller (QLD), Dana Polverino (NSW) and Sarah Month (NSW) who joined the WA team for this event.

The WA Girls finished 2nd and the WA Boys finished 5th at the 2015 AYUC an amazing effort from everyone involved.
The WA boys’ captain, Owen Hearne, finished Runner-up MVP at the tournament and our very own Seth Lovell was selected in the Green and Gold All-Australian team who will receive and invite to Represent Australia in New Zealand at the Trans-Tasman cup in September 2015. From the WA girls’ team we had Ava Mueller in the top three MVP rankings and along with Jamie Castleden were named in the Green and Gold All-Australian team and will each receive an invite to compete in the 2015 Trans-Tasman cup in September.

A big thank you to all the parents and the ultimate community for their amazing support toward this event. Team WA can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Photos from the event can be found here on the Youth Ultimate WA Facebook page.
#WAWA