World Ultimate Championships 2024 | Ruth Tayler

Ruth Tayler, Strathclyde University alumnus and current GBX player, is 29 and based in Bristol. Since learning how to play at Strathclyde, she’s gone on to have a great ultimate career. After heading to WUUC with GUX, she started coaching, then playing with, Bristol Women, and helped lead the team to EUCF bronze in 2022. Ruth’s passion for and devotion to ultimate is clear, from both the amount of work she’s putting in this season and her joyous expressions on the sideline. In this mini-interview, she tells us about why she started playing and how she’s prepping for WUC 2024.

(Featured photo by Ultimate Paparazzo)

When and why did you first start playing ultimate?

I started playing ultimate in 2014, at 19 years old when at University. The ultimate stall stood out to me during the University freshers’ fayre. I’ve always loved sport (to play and to watch), have always been competitive and was looking to try something completely new. I was drawn in by the incredibly welcoming people and tight-knit community and I was excited to play a mixed sport and meet new people. I was very lucky, not only to start playing alongside some very keen beginner women (including Hayley), but to be part of a club that had strong female players that I could aspire to be like.

When I started, the top players were always so enthusiastic about the sport. They were so generous with their time, dedicated to teaching newbies how to throw and pivot and stall and mark etc. These people were investing in me and all I could do is get excited about ultimate too. After being strongly encouraged to play a fun beginner tournament, I was hooked.

What teams did you play for in Scotland?

I played for the University of Strathclyde (Dark Horses), one tournament with Deep Drilling, couple of tour seasons with Swift Women and went to WUCC with Glasgow Ultimate Mixed in 2018.

Is this the first time you’ve repped GB?

I was selected as a training player for GB Women for the 2019/2020 season leading up to the WUC that was cancelled. At EUC 2023 I represented GB, playing for the Mixed team, and now I will be repping again at WUC 2024. I have especially liked the 2024 training season with the GBX team. The D-line chemistry and trust has been building all season and it will be so exciting to see what we can do at the tournament. It has been so awesome to be a part of a group of people who are dedicated to bettering themselves and to growing the strength of the team as a whole.

How do you adjust to playing for your GB mixed team after playing for your club women’s team?

I love Bristol Women. I love playing and winning with my friends. They are the best. The thing I have found most difficult, is switching between playing single-gender and mixed ultimate across the season. It requires adjustment of throws, cut timing and spacing on the field. However, I have enjoyed the process of building chemistry with great ultimate players at GBX. From the start of the season we were encouraged to keep an open dialogue with each other. We would chat about each others’ weaknesses, preferences of throw, shapes of cuts and how we like to generate block etc. during training. We also hung out together at training weekends, playing games, eating food and chatting non-frisbee nonsense. You are going to play harder for people you know and like.

In the run-up to WUC, are you doing any specific preparations to get you tournament ready?

I have focused on increasing explosivity, agility and fitness across the whole season. Using a gym program that helps me to be speedy and springy, alongside field work such as sprints and long runs. As a defensive player, I know that I will be matching up against some of the fastest players in the world and so want to put myself in a position where I can mark them effectively.

I have dedicated more time to throwing this season. This is because we will be playing against the best offensive lines in the world who will be very hard to turn over. When there is a rare opportunity on offense, I want to be confident with the disc in my hand, make good decisions and give my team the chance to score. I have also been working on my mental game, increasing my positive self-talk. I want to be able to quickly let mistakes go while on pitch and stay focused on the game. Believing in yourself allows you to play your best.

With WUC being in Australia this year, what are you looking forward to the most about it?

I am so excited to have the excuse to go all the way across the world, to a place I have never been. I can’t wait to go to the beach with my team and swim in the sea following a day playing a sport I love against the best in the world.

***

Thanks for the insight, Ruth! We can’t wait to see how you get on at WUC! Next up in the interview series, is Joel Terry!