Ellen Burton

Sports Award

Age:

19

Biography

I was introduced to Ultimate Frisbee 7 years ago and began playing for my school team, Flux with whom I have been playing since, competing in many u17 and u20 National tournaments. I also represented Great Britain in 2019 in the European Youth Ultimate Championships and with the help of the JHMT grant I'm luckily able to go to the Junior World Championships this year.

Not only the physical demands of frisbee but also the technicalities of throwing and defensive and offensive strategies have meant that there has always been something new to learn. Ultimate is also a self-refereed sport meaning knowledge of rules is vital, especially since I was selected as Spirit Captain of the GB u20 Women's team for this year's Junior World Championships in Poland. This role means I have the responsibility of ensuring the Spirit of the Game is achieved throughout the tournament, on and off the field. To do this I will have to work with my team and all opposition teams, making sure all calls are communicated quickly and respectfully even in the heat of close games!

Being a relatively small, new sport there is a lack of government funding even at an international level. It would be amazing to help grow Frisbee and give it the exposure that it already has in America, hopefully it will become an Olympic sport one day.