By Navarna Davids
All eyes on the disc as two players rise above the field in a high-stakes moment from the Maties Ultimate Frisbee league. Supplied: Reiner Duminy
The Frisbee Res League has grown into a standardised competition involving residences and community sport entities at Stellenbosch University (SU). The League includes residences such as Minerva, Heemstede, Eendrag, Simonsberg, Majuba and Helderberg.
Die Matie interviewed members of Maties Ultimate Frisbee (MUF) to understand the league and the sport behind it. Pieter Conradie, Chairperson of MUF, reflected on how the competition developed from early experimentation into its current structure. He explained that the league began with a simple idea: increasing participation in residence sports through shared competition.
“Wouldn’t it be great for participation on campus if we mobilised this residential space?” he recalled thinking of the early stages of the league’s development. Over time, residences and community teams started competing in organised fixtures each season, allowing the league to grow into a more established part of campus sport culture.
“It’s always chaos, but that’s to be expected,” said Reiner Duminy, Vice-Chairperson of MUF, referring to the challenge of managing limited field availability and overlapping university activities. Although matches may appear spontaneous, he explained that organisers often spend weeks planning and restructuring fixtures to keep the league running smoothly.
High in the air – players leap to grab the disc during a night-time frisbee game. Supplied: Reiner Duminy
Callum Crawford, league co-ordinator and Helderberg residence player described his early experience in the sport as intimidating. “It was quite cliquey at first,” he said, explaining that new players can feel overwhelmed by established groups and higher skill levels.
Despite this, Crawford continued attending sessions even after sustaining an early injury. Over time, he became more involved in the club and eventually moved into a leadership role within the league.
Players go up for the disc during a Maties Ultimate Frisbee league match, showcasing the fast-paced action and community spirit that defines MUF. Supplied: Reiner Duminy
Crawford highlighted the “Spirit of the Game” as one of the sport’s most distinctive features. Unlike most mainstream sports, Ultimate Frisbee does not use referees. Crawford explained, “It’s a self-refereed sport, so it’s very big on making sure things don’t get heated, things don’t get dangerous or nasty.”
Players make and resolve their own calls on the field, requiring direct communication and accountability between opponents. This system changes the atmosphere of the game, as players compete while still working together to maintain fairness.
The sport’s mixed-gender structure also sets it apart from many traditional sporting codes on campus. Men and women compete alongside one another during mixed season, creating a dynamic that encourages stronger communication and a more balanced playing environment.
Eendrag’s third-team players jump for the disc during a match against Dagbreek Res. Supplied: Reiner Duminy
Teams develop their own traditions and match-day energy. Eendrag players taking to the field in Speedos is one moment that adds personality and humour to the competition. Dagbreek’s teams add their own sense of tradition to the league, hosting matches against one another in the residence quad, while the Barbarians continue their post-match ritual of visiting Bohos together after each game. Crawford added, “These kinds of moments strengthen the league’s welcoming atmosphere.”
As the season approaches its final stages, anticipation around the league continues to grow. Organisers expect strong support at the upcoming finals hosted at Coetzenburg Stadium on 25 August at 19:00. Residences will compete not only for top positions, but also for the community spirit that has become central to the identity of the Frisbee Res League.
