History

In the summer of 1985, two separate, but surprisingly similar, events take place in Wageningen. In a pair of groups, one person (Rowan and Rob) have seen an article in a magazine (Rails and Kijk) about frisbeeing. Both took action, Rowan ordering a 141-gram Wham-O disc and Rob writing a letter to the Dutch Frisbee Association who directed him to an already existing frisbeeclub UFO (Utregse Frisbee Organisatie).

Rowan lived at the Dijkgraaf and our practice on the ground floor was seen by others in the flat who joined. Rob, as chairman of the recreational board in the Sports Foundation, got UFO so enthusiastic to give a demonstration at the Bongerd. Some 30 sporty types attended that and we quickly learnt, via catch and throw, the game of Ultimate.

During that demonstration, we were warmed up to participate in the Cup Championship in autumn. Our little Dijkgraaf group expanded a bit and signed up as team X. Rob and his friends, unbeknownst to the others as well, they went by the name FOUT. Out of twenty teams participating, we finished 16th (Team X) and 10th (FOUT) at the time. Only during the award ceremony we became aware of each other’s existence. These 20 or so people did want to continue together in Wageningen and, with the help of the NFB, a club was formed on 1 January 1986: Wageningen All-round Frisbee. First board consisted of Rob (chairman), Edmee (secretary), Rowan (treasurer) and Stef and Freek (general board members).

That Elfsteden winter, we trained outside with the only disc that doesn’t crack in those conditions; High Rigidity. Organising an indoor/foundation tournament in March also helped convince the Sports Foundation (then Thymos) to be recognised as a student sports club.
Our first trainers were two UFO members Rinus Oosthoek and Erik Stroek, after joining the Sports Foundation, Adjan Heeren came to train us from the USB, and he did so for the next 18 years.