By Will Burton

The first ever UK Ultimate Frisbee Beach National Championships took place at the new Coastal Activity Park in Boscombe last weekend.

132 players across 14 teams competed at the tournament which was run jointly between local side Bournemouth Heat and the University’s athletic union – sportBU.

Tournament director Andrew Moss said, “The Coastal Activity Park is an area of Boscombe beach where the Council want to run more sporting events such as the Ultimate Frisbee National Championships.

“We have been running a beach tournament in Bournemouth for the past ten years but it’s fantastic to be able take the step up to make it nationally recognised.

“The professionalism of sportBU significantly contributed to the smooth running of the championships. The Council were very accommodating and it was nice to have the St.John’s ambulance to support the event as well.”

‘Bournemouth Heat’ – the local university team - beat the odds to finish in an impressive fifth place.

Club captain Henry Pym said “this was our second appearance at a national tournament this year and I’m delighted with the way the team performed this weekend.

"Hosting these championships and being successful shows the extent to which Ultimate Frisbee in Bournemouth is growing.”

The tournament was won by the Bangor-based team - ‘Mighty Hucks’. Receiver Tom Perry, who has played for Bournemouth in previous years having grown up in Poole, scored a brace in the final to earn his side a narrow victory 7-4.

Moss hopes the success of this year’s tournament will benefit the development of the sport in the local area, “the fact that we were able to bring a national tournament to Bournemouth really helps to raise the profile of the sport.

“By seeing it run in a professional way they will see that this is a sport that is sticking around and will be developing in the future.”