The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is the international sports federation responsible for world governance of flying disc (frisbee) sports, including Ultimate, Beach Ultimate, Disc Golf, Freestyle, Guts, and Individual Events.
WFDF is a federation of 107 member associations, which represent flying disc sports and their athletes in more than 103 countries.
WFDF is an International Federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International University Sports Federation (FISU), a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations
(GAISF), the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), the International World Games Association (IWGA), the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), and the Association for the International Sport for All (TAFISA).
WFDF is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, and is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of Colorado, USA.
As the international governing body for the sport of flying disc, WFDF has the responsibility for sanctioning world championship and other international flying disc events, establishing uniform rules, and setting standards for and recording of world records. It acts to promote and protect the “spirit of the game” of flying disc play; to encourage flying disc play throughout the world and foster the establishment of new national flying disc associations, advising them on all flying disc activities and general management; to promote and raise public awareness of and lobby for official recognition of flying disc play as sport; and to provide an international forum for discussion of all aspects of flying disc play.
There are teams and competitions in more than 20 countries throughout Asia, from the expected venues such as Japan, to the, perhaps less thought-of, Philippines and Vietnam. There are a myriad of Hat Tournaments at a variety of destinations and for the hotter competition there’s the Malaysian Ultimate Open, and several WFDF sanctioned events which bring together some of the fastest players and most skilled throwers on the continent; such as the Asian-Oceanic Ultimate Championship (AOUC).
International competitions bring together the best Ultimate players and teams from all over the globe- there’s no greater pride than representing your country and Ultimate players will travel to all corners of the earth in their bids for glory. This makes for extremely intense and exciting events at all levels, right at the top each team raises their game to new heights every year in an attempt to gain the title of World Champions.
The World Games sees a phenomenal push from players all over the world (qualifying based on previous years’ WFDF World Championships)- be it simply to fund their way there (no mean feat), or to raise themselves above their rivals and secure a medal. The 2013 World Games in Columbia included, besides the host team, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Japan and Australia- bringing some of the hottest games of Ultimate to a seriously hot country and drawing unprecedented crowds from around the world.
Charity & Frisbee
Frisbee charities are also having an international impact, like the well-known Ultimate Peace [3] campaign, who promote friendship and understanding between young people living in conflict zones using the key values of Ultimate and Spirit Of The Game as their tools. Their first event began in 2009 bringing together 120 young people from various backgrounds in Israel and the West Bank; the success flourished and grew, forming, among other things, a Summer camp called Camp UP which reaches 300 young people in Israel- young people from a diverse range of religious and social backgrounds all running, catching, diving and scoring together. Camp UP and Ultimate Peace as a movement are growing, there is a young leadership program in place, a continuation of activities throughout the school year and an increasing number of prestigious partners too; all hoping to affect attitudes, forge friendships and shift the tide to a better future, not just in Israel and the Middle East but beyond.
See World Flying Disc Federation for details about global competitions.
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The WFDF has two programs to support initiatives that help develop disc sports globally The WFDF Development Grants Program supports a broad range of projects, including the introduction of Flying Disc sports into new countries, the expansion of Flying Disc sports activities in developing countries, gender inclusion projects, programs for spirit of the game education, youth programs, coaches training, anti-doping education and other areas. Grants can be for up to US$1,500, including the value of discs that may be a part of the request, and may go to fund activities for up to 15 months from the date of the award. The program is not limited to projects sponsored by WFDF member countries but explicitly calls for initiatives or projects by individuals or groups, particularly in new countries.
The WFDF Disc Support Program is aimed at individuals planning to travel to areas where there is a need for discs to support the growth of Flying Disc sports. This program provides discs, not monetary support. Priority is given to people who can show they are in contact with local groups who will make good use of the discs, or who have a clear plan to start a disc sport group in a new area. Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report on how the discs were used with photos/videos, etc.
2019 (recently funded projects as example):
1. Serbia - Raising awareness - ultimate in Serbia, youth members (SRB) – EUROPE
2. India - Frisbee at Sport for Development Exemplar Centre (IND) – ASIA
3. Mali - Development of Flying Disc activities in Mali (MLI) – AFRICA
4. Canada Indigenous - Honour Your Health Challenge (HYHC) (CAN) – AMERICA
5. Ethiopia - Training of trainers (Phys Ed Teachers) of Disc Golf - (ETH) – AFRICA
6. Albania - Establishing the national federation (ALB) – EUROPE
7. Rwanda - Kickstarting the expansion of Flying Disc (RWA) – AFRICA