Summertime is credited as a time of relaxation, but instead, freshman Violet Yap traveled to Birmingham, England to compete in the World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championship (WJUC).

Yap was one of 200 people selected to attend tryouts from late August to early September of 2023. To be invited to tryouts, a person goes through an evaluation period in which they submit an application that is reviewed. Finally, a decision is made to decide whether or not they are eligible to attend tryouts. 

“If you are one of the 200 selected for tryouts then you go to either a West Coast or East Coast tryout, “ said Yap. “It’s rigorous training for two days straight.”

Every two years the World Junior Ultimate Championship switches between u20 (under 20) and u24 (under 24). The location also switches around. This year it took place in England and next year it will take place in Spain.  There are three teams that compete yearly:  the men’s team, the women’s team, and the mixed team (coed).  If a person is selected to play on one of the two teams they apply for, (for Yap it was the women’s team and the mixed team) then they go through a long process of training camps.

“Once you are selected for a team, you get an email saying you made it,” said Yap. “You then go to a training camp weekend. Then a few weeks before the tournament, you go to another training camp. Then finally comes the tournament.” 

Yap was selected to play for the women’s World Junior Ultimate Championship team. Before the World Championships, Yap also competed in the Ultimate Frisbee Nationals twice. Before the tournament, they practiced for a weekend in Colorado and during the two-day training, Yap met her teammates for the first time.

“I didn’t know anyone on the team super well, but there was one other person from California who I knew of,” said Yap. “I got closer with them as the training and tournament went on and met other people who I also got close with.” 

Not only was Yap one of only 200 selected for tryouts, but she was also the youngest person on her entire team. Yap recalls feeling anxious about playing in such a big event while being the youngest player.

“I felt very nervous, especially being the youngest player,” said Yap. “This was the highest level of ultimate you could play so there was a lot of anxiety going into it.” 

Yap’s team played 8 games against formidable teams, including Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Canada, and Australia. Yap’s coach put her and her teammates in roles that would help them exceed and contribute to the team. The team made it to the finals but ended up losing to France. Competing in the World Junior Ultimate Championship allowed Yap to show off her skills, even making a clutch catch described by the commentator of the broadcast as “ripped out of the air” by Yap. 

Even though Yap’s team didn’t win, it challenged Yap’s abilities and helped her grow as a person. Yap describes the impact competing in the tournament gave her, “The tournament and the whole experience was really fun and got me out of my comfort zone. I got to meet new people, learn new things, and challenge myself in a level I haven’t before.” said Yap. “I’m really thankful for this opportunity and will use the skills I learned going forward.”