Great Britain women

Profile

The Great Britain women's scene has come of age. The National team has been performing at the highest levels of success recently. The majority of the members on this team have been winning the Paganello Beach tournament for years but have also made it to the finals of the 2003 EUC and the finals of the 2004 Nations Cup. In both finals they played Finland, losing in 2003 and winning most recently in Sweden. Another match up with the home team here in Turku should prove exciting.

Great Britain has benefited from organizational changes in the UK Ultimate scene that split up top players amongst different teams in England. The result has been better competition and improved play and what you see today in the level of quality and commitment comes from those changes. Kudos to the UKUA.

"Up until recently, there wasn't much, only a couple of women's tournaments a year. Now teams are a lot more even and there's lot more of a mixture," says Laura Pearce.

Great Britain has split matches with Finland (2-2 in the last two major tournaments) but have come up well against other European teams. The 2003 EUC semifinal may have been one of their most defining. Down 13-7 on a muddy field, Great Britain tightened its lineup and came out with a pressure-packed zone defense. The result was a stunning 8-1 run and a 15-14 sudden death win.

This team has good international experience but has not made a large impact at a Worlds competition. This could be the year they find themselves finding a way to semifinals.

Offense and Defense

It's hard to call out offensive and defensive players for Great Britain as many play both lines. The core of this team has been together since they played for a Great Britain all-star squad in 1996. Together Claire Parker, Laura Pearce, the fabulous flying Forth sisters and Tara Jewell define the tenacity and talent of this squad.

On offense, captain Laura Pearce says, "We play a flow. It's not super structured, but it just sort of works." This team used to practice against Open teams in England but that tended to cut down their deep looks. This year they competed against women.

On defense, they will play a mixture of man, zone and junk, depending on the conditions of the game and the opponent's offense. 

Look For These Players

Katey Forth, #11 - effective on O and D, great at laying out. Defensive players with critical blocks. Can change the outcome of a game.

Sue Pioli, #13 - a tenacious defensive player who sticks to players and always marks tough.

Team's Best Throwers:

Claire Parker, #6 - an offensive threat with break-mark throws and the ability to get the disc out. Plays taller than she is.

Laura Pearce, #15 - Tall cutter with all-around throws and skills. Has been playing for 11 years. Pearce is a dangerous threat: she can throw long or use her height in the endzone to score. Has a very long huck in her arsenal so be don’t be surprised when she puts it deep.

Team's Best Receivers:

Tara Jewell, #2 - known for her timing and catching. Leader of the Bliss club team.

Rebecca Forth, #23 - known for reading and catching high discs, particularly for scores. Tough to tell apart from her twin sister Katey.

Roster:
21 

Team Colors:
Red, White and Blue

Team Captains:
Laura Pearce
Claire Parker
Simon Moore - coach