With kind invitation from the Huddle, I will be contributing thoughts and perspectives on the ongoings of WUCC developments on behalf of Clapham Ultimate.  My name is Ollie Benjamin, and have been a part of the squad since I moved to London in 2002, leaving an infamous Santa Cruz Banana Slugs frisbee team behind. That seems some time ago.  What struck me when I first arrived was CU’s no nonsense, balls out devotion to hard trainings.  Results were a reflection of a refinement of the basics and high fitness.  Years have ticked along and the squad i think holds 3 or 4 of those years, but the ethos is ever the same - bleed for the team and the team bleeds for you (no santa barbara refernce intended here).  The club is a good one. i like it. 

We are the only European club team to travel to America in search of high competition, and though our journeys have not always yielded victories, they have proved seminal to the club’s development.  Younger players realise they can run with the elite and the senior players get to scout new tactics and strategies.  Expensive as the trips may be, they keep us ticking over and provide incentives for new players.  The most recent crop of young players I think is our best. They are keen and full of ethusiasm. they enjoy the game, which is great.  not that i don’t enjoy it, but i am sure you know what i mean.

Anyhow, like other contributors, I am not sure how much insight I will really be bringing to this column. i’ll no doubt give summaries of the games we play, and descriptions of the general scene.  Four days til we fly.  last training tuesday, tabatas and other light sessions to ease us in. Carb loading and the rest of it.  Let’s see what the week brings.

OB