Did you know Montreal has a professional ultimate frisbee team? Meet the Montreal Royal.
The team plays in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) – the world’s top league.
Ultimate frisbee is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sports, with a rapidly growing fanbase in Montreal.
The team kicked off their 2024 season in April, and last month, snapped a 19-game losing streak that lasted two years – after beating the Toronto Rush 15-12 on May 11.
Head coach, Alexandre Lemieux, said it was a much-needed win.
“It felt great for the team. I think it was much needed in terms of trying to translate our effort into performance and actually seeing it in the field,” he said.
The team practices twice a week, in addition to track and gym training.
“We got a strong team this year. The guys are in really good shape. They’re practicing. We’ve got a really united core, so it feels good and we’re ready for the next game,” said Jean-Lévy Champagne, president and player with the Montreal Royal.
Lemieux says he has strategies to ensure this year is better than the last one.
“We’re trying to kind of build from the stepping stones that we established last year, and we’re seeing progress. We’re seeing a lot of improvement. We’re seeing stability and a desire to actually perform for Montreal,” he added.
This year, the team also has a new addition to its roster: Tobe Decraene.
Decrane is the top offensive player in Europe. He moved to Montreal just to play for the team, something that’s been in the works for two years.
“The UFA is the biggest league in the world, so of course, I wanted to play in it. And I’ve heard a lot of good stories about French guys being able to join the Royal. so I was like, yeah, Belgium is not far from France. So why not give it a shot?” he said.
“It’s so amazing. It was amazing to get to know everybody. I feel very welcome. It’s an amazing atmosphere, and everything is so much bigger here. So it’s been amazing,” he adds.
The team also welcomed back, Jean-Lévy Champagne.
“My 13-year-old son convinced me to try out for the Royal. I’ve asked him so many things to do in life, try to get out of his comfort zone. So, I thought I’d do the same and let him mentor me, and I jumped in it, made the team, pretty happy to be here on the field with the boys today,” he explained.
The Montreal Royal will play Toronto again on June 8 at home – at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard – and they say they’re ready for it.
“I think we should approach the game like every other game, just give it our all., but I think we have a very good shot at beating them, and it would be nice to get a win at home for the crowd,” said Decraene.
This year, the team hopes to go all the way.
“We do have a specific goal to qualify for a playoff, so finish top three in the division,” said Lemieux.
Champagne encourages everyone to come out and support the team.
“If you don’t know ultimate frisbee, you should come check it out at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard,” he said.
For more information. visit the team’s website.