Once in a while, it's nice to get a bit of recognition and especially if it's from those on high. And so it was this year for Belfast Ultimate which was nominated for Biggest Contribution to Ultimate in Ireland by the Irish Flying Disc Association, the governing body for Ultimate in Ireland.

The nomination is an indicator of the strong year Ultimate in the North has had so far. In the past twelve months: the second Ultimate Summer League in Ireland has been initiated in Belfast; 6 teams have been established (one of whom, CHASE, has entered competitions outside the region); Christmas and Easter competitions have been created; the first Belfast based player has represented Ireland; and there have been forays into building a wider profile, through the new website, radio interviews, exhibition days and the creation of a banner.

And it's not over yet. The first team at Queens University could well be established this year and, in November, the strongest (and biggest!) team ever to represent Ultimate in the North will head down to Cork Open to demonstrate to the rest of Ireland how far things have improved.

Unfortunately, Belfast Ultimate did not win this year (the award going to Dominck Smyth, the new IFDA president). However, building on the established regional calendar and structure, a greater national profile can be created and maybe next year Belfast Ultimate can win the Biggest Contribution and, you never know, other awards besides.