By Amanda Tan
28 September 2024
With relentless determination and an unbreakable spirit the Singapore Women’s team, The Pangolins, may not have achieved their desired results at the World Ultimate Championship (WUC), but their journey proved that victory isn’t only the results or the scoreboard, it is about the heart, growth and sets the foundation for future triumphs.
The journey for our women was not an easy one. Being a young team, there were many things the team had to pick up throughout the tournament. For one, having to play a week straight of ultimate forced players to learn how to manage their injuries. Learning to deal with them while playing at the highest level of Ultimate on the world stage was not an easy feat. However, our women’s team fought through and achieved commendable results despite unfavourable circumstances.
“I know that we could’ve done so much better, but it was just a little unfortunate that we were plagued by injuries, especially as the tournament went on.”
– Vanice Tan #12
With the intensity of Ultimate Frisbee, it is no surprise that players are constantly getting injured, and many veteran players have even played with injuries during other campaigns. Serena Sim #6 of The Pangolins was no stranger to playing with an injury. Coming in with an injury early in the tournament meant that she had to learn how to manage them to maximise her time while on the field.
Throughout WUC, we saw how the women’s team persevered through even after being consistently beaten by teams stronger than them. Having lost multiple games in a row at the beginning, the women were hungry for a win. They knew that in order to achieve this, they had to put everything out on the field, leaving no regrets in the game against Great Britain. It was the second day, the fourth game with 0 wins. Everyone was starting to feel the frustration of not having won any games but the team knew this was the game they had to win. Putting everything on the line, our women’s team managed to win this game on universe, scoring on a huck, leaving the team feeling surreal with the results.
“Winning GBR on universe reminded me of WU24’23 when we won GBR on universe. This game truly displayed what “having each other’s back” and “playing for each other” meant.”
– Ermilia Pok #9
As the team’s journey at WUC came to an end, our players reflected on their journey and preparation playing Ultimate’s highest level of competition. Many felt that the team was not as prepared to play in Australia's weather conditions. Vanice Tan #12 of The Pangolins expressed her disappointment with the results of the tournament. Coming in last on the world stage only proved that there was a significant gap between Singapore’s women's team and the world's best. This meant that there was much for the team to work on and improve.
Many of the players also expressed their disappointment in their games especially against Chinese Taipei. Having played them at the Trio Invitationals prior to Worlds, they felt that they should've been more prepared for the game. Even though they have played the same squad 3 times, the team was unable to keep up with the players of Chinese Taipei, especially during the crossover game which ultimately cost them the 8th seed.
“We fell short this time round but we also saw how Singapore Womens’ Ultimate has been growing the last few years. I believe that if we continue building on this, we will achieve great results in years to come.”
– Serena Sim #6
While the results were not what they were hoping for, the team still had a great time playing the highest level of ultimate. When the team was asked what their favourite moment from the tournament was, most mentioned the friendships forged and mini dances they did before games. Coming from various clubs, having different backgrounds and being able to come together to play together while representing Singapore was an experience nothing can replace. That is the spirit of Ultimate.
Despite the tournament results, Team Captain Serena Sim had some heartfelt words to share with the team: “Thank you for the trust throughout the whole campaign! I hope everyone enjoyed their time during this whole campaign and remember everything, be it good or bad. We learn, and we grow together and I hope we will remember everything that we have gone through together and bring back to the teams that we’ll play for. Till next time Pangos. LFPG!”.
The unwavering determination of our women at WUC is truly inspirational for both current and aspiring players. They never let the scoreboard dampen their spirits, fighting for every point, even in challenging matches. Their resilience and commitment showcase the heart of the sport, proving that success is measured not just in victories but in the passion and perseverance displayed on the field.
As women's ultimate frisbee continues to grow in Singapore, it's clear that the future is bright. With such dedicated athletes leading the way, we can look forward to a vibrant community that uplifts and empowers one another. Together, they are not just building skills but also forging lasting bonds and inspiring the next generation of players.
The Ultimate Players Association (Singapore) is the body responsible for the governance of flying disc sports in Singapore. These sports include Ultimate, Beach Ultimate and Disc Golf.
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