Upper Valley Ultimate Creates a Third Space for Norwich Residents

Many people reach a point in their lives when it becomes difficult to meet new people. Thankfully, Upper Valley Ultimate has been remedying this problem for decades by providing a third space to play Ultimate Frisbee. At Sachem Field in West Lebanon, over thirty people meet at 6 pm on a Monday to throw the disc in a friendly pick-up game.

Norwich resident, Eli Weber (holding disc), has been playing Ultimate Frisbee for over 26 years.

Sonia Howlett, a Norwich resident and one of the group’s organizers, had a lot of positives to express about the group. Though she played in college, she was looking to meet new friends after COVID, and this group seemed like a good way to do so. Since then, she’s entered a leadership role with three others, setting up communication through emails and a Discord server, coordinating all sorts of logistics.

Norwich resident Sonia Howlett

Attendees range from 16 years old to those in their 70s, though most are more centered around the middle of that age range. Howlett says that one of the great things about the sport is that it’s “nice to make a space that holds a range of ages.” Though there are several residents from Norwich and the surrounding Upper Valley area, some players drive over an hour to play, such as some from St. Johnsbury. Part of the reason for this is simple. Although other areas in the region have pickup games,  this is one of the most well-attended groups, so there are always enough people to play. However, for Howlett and many others, the draw of Ultimate Frisbee is that “the sport pulls good people” and it’s nice to have a “third space that meets once a week.” To clarify, in social theory, a “third space” refers to a place, separate from home (first space) and work (second space), where people gather to socialize, relax, and build community. It’s a neutral ground for informal interactions, fostering a sense of belonging and connection (AI search summary).

Beyond pick-up games, the Upper Valley Ultimate group hosts an additional league night during the summer. Teams are internally constructed within the group with co-ed teams of equal gender-mixing. One of the coordinators’ hardest jobs is making sure teams are balanced effectively for fair play. The latest summer league that just wrapped up its season had four teams. Team names are typically constructed based on a theme, and this year’s was medieval professions: the Bladesmiths, the Shepherds, the Town Criers, and the Jesters.

Another Norwich resident and a former “Shepherd” team member, Eli Weber, has been playing Ultimate Frisbee for over 26 years. He expressed that one of the best parts about it for him is that it’s a “lifelong sport” and more “interesting and fun to play” than other activities. From the way the disc curves and floats to the strategy involved, he imparts that there’s an artistry to its play. He also stressed that Ultimate Frisbee is “a real athletic sport.” Not only do players wear cleats, but Weber says, “You’re running as fast as you can, jumping as high as you can. Being athletic and practiced is key.”

Norwich resident Rodney Jacobson

Despite it being helpful to be athletically inclined if you are participating in league play, Howlett expressed that Upper Valley Ultimate is for everyone, especially those who wouldn’t describe themselves this way. Beyond the community aspects, Howlett describes the sport as enjoyable because you “don’t have to run and do something complicated at the same time.” Another unique aspect of the sport is “the spirit of the game,” something that has, over time, been written directly into the rulebook. The gist is that players are encouraged to respect each other on the field, and games have no referees. Instead, when a foul is called, both players talk out the call and have to agree on its legitimacy, making it completely self-regulated. Howlett expresses that this aspect adds to the inclusivity and community aspect of the sport.

In the last four years, the group found another way to be more inclusive by creating and running a separate women and nonbinary players’ night. The intention was for it to be a space for new players that was less intimidating for those who may struggle in an athletic space. Originally, the group held practices and drills to increase the skills of these players, but this made it difficult for those who couldn’t make it every week. Eventually, coordinators shifted it to a separate pick-up night.

Though Sachem Field is perfect during the summer, fall makes the area less viable due to several school teams needing it for games. This is when the Upper Valley Ultimate group moves down to one night per week. Though still able to utilize the field for a time in the fall, when the weather turns, they meet inside and whittle down their games to a four-on-four format.

Full summer league photo from this year

One of the greatest challenges the group has is spreading the word about the group. Though there are several returning members, a great deal of the members are transient, including students and medical residents. Flyers have been utilized in the past, but most come to know about the group through word-of-mouth or the over 400-follower Upper Valley Ultimate Facebook page. The group is always looking for more players, whether experienced or new to the sport. Those interested can simply show up to a pickup game held on Monday or Wednesday at Sachem Field or reach out to the Facebook group for more information.

If you’re someone who’s looking for a way to get outside and meet new people, the Upper Valley Ultimate group is here for you. Whether you’re athletically inclined or not, the group stresses they’ve always been more about fostering a sense of community than anything else. Though many argue about the vanishing “third space” in our current world, when you look around Sachem Field, you can see Ultimate Frisbee is helping keep it alive where those from all walks of life gather to play a friendly, casual game together.