By Marianne Poh
The Birth of SFDA
Organised Ultimate Frisbee in Singapore officially began in 2000 with the formation of the Singapore Flying Disc Association (SFDA), formerly known as the Ultimate Players Association (Singapore) (UPAS). The association was founded under the leadership of its first president, Ken Lambert.
Initially established to cater to expatriates and recreational players, the association gradually expanded to include a growing number of local players, particularly teenagers and young adults. This marked the beginning of Ultimate’s development into a structured and competitive sport in the country.
Laying the Groundwork
The first major Ultimate competition in Singapore, the Singapore Ultimate Opens, was held in 1999. Over the years, it had grown significantly in participation and more competitions emerged, including the National School Games (NSG) and various local leagues organised by clubs.
The formation of dedicated Ultimate Frisbee clubs also played a crucial role in fostering talent and interest. Teams like Muddy Grass, Shiok!, Go Chuck Thing, and Swarm emerged between 2002 and 2006, reflecting the rapid local growth of the sport. In 2007, Singapore sent its first batch of local players to represent the country at the World Championships.
Breaking Boundaries
By 2011, Singapore competed in the Asia Oceanic Ultimate Championship (AOUC), where they went against some of the best teams in the region, including Japan. That same year, the National Youth Training Programme (NYTP) was introduced to develop emerging talents in the sport.
Efforts to gain recognition as a National Sports Association (NSA) also began in 2014, where the SFDA aimed to secure government support for grassroots development and school programmes. This step underscored the association’s commitment to formalising and expanding the sport in Singapore.
Milestones and Moments
Singapore Ultimate has achieved remarkable milestones over the years. The launch of UltyLeague Elite Division in 2015 provided a platform for top local players to compete at an elite level.
One of its biggest breakthroughs came in 2019 at the World Under-24 Ultimate Championships (WU24) in Heidelberg, Germany, where Singapore’s mixed team secured a bronze medal – the country’s first-ever podium finish at a world championship.
In 2023, Singapore reached new heights when its Under-24 mixed team won a silver medal at the WU24 in Nottingham, United Kingdom, marking one of the nation’s greatest international successes. This victory reinforced Singapore’s positions as a rising force in the global Ultimate scene.
In 2024, Singapore achieved a record sixth-place at the World Ultimate Championships . That same year, Singapore made its debut at the World Junior Ultimate Championships (WJUC), finishing fourth. Singapore also participated in the World Team Disc Golf Championships for the first time, highlighting the growing presence of flying disc sports in Singapore.
Evolving the Game
In recent years, SFDA has centralised partnerships to enhance funding and expand its reach across grassroots programmes, schools, and clubs, ultimately securing provisional NSA status and SNOC affiliation in 2024. This recognition serves as a major step towards full NSA status, which will unlock further development opportunities and support.
The formalisation of the National Training Programme (NTP) in 2022 established structured development pathways for players across different divisions, including the Koels, Pangolins, and Otters teams. As of 2024, Singapore holds a world ranking of 10, second in Asia only to Japan.
In 2025, Singapore will achieve another milestone with flying disc sports being featured as a demonstration sport at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. To reflect its expanded role in governing both Ultimate and other disc sports like Disc Golf, the association will officially change its name to Singapore Flying Disc Association.
Celebrating 25 Years
The future of Singapore Ultimate looks bright, with SFDA set to establish national team programs across all levels, from juniors (U20) to seniors. The sport's increasing presence in schools, clubs, and international competitions signals a promising trajectory for Ultimate and other flying disc disciplines.
From its humble beginnings in the 1990s to its current status as a recognised and competitive force, Singapore Ultimate has grown into a thriving community backed by passionate players, dedicated coaches, and strong organisational leadership.
Happy 25th Anniversary, SFDA!
References
1. Schor, A. (2014, August 1). WUCC 2014: Singapore’s Rise, Presented By VC Ultimate. Retrieved February 2, 2025, from
https://ultiworld.com/2014/08/01/wucc-2014-singapores-rise-presented-vc-ultimate/ 2. Low, L. F. (2016, April 25). Ultimate frisbee soaring high in S’pore. Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.todayonline.com/sports/ultimate-frisbee-soaring-high-spore
3. MCCY Kaya (2021, November 10). Ultimately, a team of friends. Retrieved February 2, 2025, from https://www.mccy.gov.sg/kaya/sports/ultimately-a-team-of-friends
4. Singapore Physical Education Association (n.d.). Ultimate Job, Ultimate Sport – Beyond PE to Frisbee. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from
https://www.spea.org.sg/spea-newsletter/2024-issue-no-1-junejuly/ultimate-job-ultimate-spor t-beyond-pe-to-frisbee
5. Singapore Flying Disc Association (2024, August 27). Strengthening the Core: Centralising Partnershipsfor the Singapore Ultimate Community. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.sfda.sg/news/strengthening-the-core-centralising-partnerships-for-the-singapore -ultimate-community
6. Ann, D. (2019, July 20). Singapore ultimate frisbee team ranks #3 in World Under-24 Ultimate Championships, clinches bronze medal. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from
https://alvinology.com/2019/07/20/singapore-frisbee-team-ranks-3-in-the-world-finishing-wit h-bronze-medal-in-world-under-24-ultimate-championships/
7. Teoh, M. (2024, October 28). ST Sports’ Play of the Month – Ultimate frisbee. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/st-sports-play-of-the-month-ultimate-frisbee 8. The Straits Times (2023, July 8). Singapore mixed frisbee team wins historic silver at World Under-24 Ultimate Championships. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singapore-mixed-team-wins-historic-silver-at-world-under -24-ultimate-championships
9. Singapore Flying Disc Association (n.d.). About SFDA. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.sfda.sg/about
The Singapore Flying Disc Association (SFDA) 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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