Women's Ultimate in Ottawa- What's Next?

Nation,

2004 was an interesting year for women's ultimate in Ottawa. Following a 2003 nationals finals collapse that cost the city a berth at Worlds, there was great tension in the female ranks. Many felt a stable secondary team was needed to assist perennial national championship contender Stella. Others felt that politics and old guard were preventing younger/unknown players from developing and surpassing current starters.

What ended up happening was interesting. A second team did emerge that season, but was run independently by Jaime Boss, Sweet Marie Celine St-Jacques, and Justine Price. Maeve, as the team was called, was full of young exciting talent that proved they were ready to compete nationally at finals. The squad finished 4th at the 2004 nationals, and many thought they would soon surpass Stella in future seasons (Stella finished 3rd at that nationals).

That did not happen. Stella managed to emerge with the talent Maeve developed, and Maeve folded. It was replaced by a team named Scarlett, which was a direct B team to Stella. Many players who couldn't make the move to Stella bolted for Ottawa's coed team, and Scarlett greatly suffered. It was really a lose lose, as the females that went to coed also lost because.. it was Ottawa coed.

So, Stella had great seasons in 2005 and 2006, winning a national title and a silver medal in respective nationals. In 2007, top players from Ottawa joined forces with top Toronto players to try and win the 2008 worlds berth. The Stella brand was "retired" for the season (which has been criticized), and Scarlett was pretty much left to their own vices again. Many solid females were lost to coed again, but Scarlett had a great season lead by the leadership of Ottawa 'legends' Deb Murphy and Justine Price.

After a dominating 2007 season by the Capitals, the team failed once again in the national finals, unexpectedly losing to Vancouver's Traffic.

It's 2008, and it looks like Stella and Scarlett will be sisters again. In order to find out how the family is doing, I set up an interview with Stella captain Danielle Fortin. I wonder if lessons have been learned in the past five seasons, and what will/should be done in the next three years to bring a worlds women's berth to Ottawa.

Capitals at Flowerbowl 2007
Photo Source: Ultypics and Alex Benedict