From humble beginnings - the BPL turns 10 years old

The Brisbane Premier League is a competition almost unique in Australian Ultimate. There are not many Open division leagues in the country and certainly not any with the scale and culture of the BPL. The opportunity for men in South East Queensland to play in a weekly competitive league for a club with unique history and culture is a privilege that shouldn't be taken for granted. 10 years ago this was not the case in Brisbane.

When Jason Ray returned to Brisbane at the beginning of the new millennium the Frisbee climate was very different to now. There was one league in town and it was a mixed league with a single division aimed at beginners. Each season teams would form with a draft of the experienced players and new players would be assigned to teams to create balance across the league. This was the precursor of the Brisbane Ultimate Mixed League (BUML) that hosts 300 players in 25 teams in the current season.

All well and good, but for Jason and his cohorts who had a desire for competition, and competition on an intense level there was a hole in market.

"The only access to elite ultimate for beginners and intermediate players in Qld is our annual tourney (Halibut) or to travel interstate. good athletes look for good competition. More athletic intermediates would make the transition to elite ultimate if access was improved." (Meeting minutes, 16th May, 2002)

At a table at the UQ Staff and Graduates Club Jason, Stewart McGlashan and Chris 'Neo' Dawson formalised a vision for an elite mens competition that would go on to change the face of Ultimate leagues in Brisbane.

"A trial 8-week, 3-team open league on Wed nights oval 7, UQ to be called the R.C. Dog Cup in honour of Robert Craddock’s extremely talented mutt. If this trial is successful, and has no great negative impact on ultimate in Qld, a regular competition could be established." (Meeting minutes, 16th May, 2002)

The competition was ironically named after local journalist Robert Craddock who weighed in on an international debate about new sports in the Olympics. An online poll in the New York times saw Ultimate Frisbee place 3 times higher than its nearest rival in the questions of "Which sport would you like to see at the next Olympics?" The global Ultimate community mobilised via the internet, which was, in the early 2000s, still a relatively new and unfamiliar technology to most. But not so new and unfamiliar to the relatively tech-savvy, Uni educated Ultimate membership.

Cricket finished low down the list, much to RC’s disgust and he lamented for poor Steve Waugh (then Aussie Skipper and all round Cricketing legend) who would never have the chance to play for an Olympic medal, to add to his various World Cups, Ashes, Allan Border medals etc etc. Besides, what is so clever about catching a Frisbee? RC stated that his dog will never go to the Olympics and he can catch better than any American….

"As I remember it, we chose to see the bright side and assumed that, given the great skill on show on the frisbee field, he must have an extraordinarily talented dog! So talented in fact that we named the comp after his dog (originally the RC Dog Cup)." (Jason Ray, 28th March, 2012)

The first season was organised, authorised and run during May, June and July of 2002. 3 teams were selected via draft at a pub on State of Origin night from the pool of 28 available players. Teams played 2 weeks on and then had a bye week as is necessary in a 3 team league. Some recognisable names from that first season who are still running around ten years later: Chris Burwell, Stephen Cameron, Sean Flanagan (no.1 draft pick), Leon McIntyre, John McNaughton, Mat Ryan, Dave Watson and Tim Ferguson. Each team won 2 and lost 2 games with the Dog Squad knocking over the Sons of Yoda in the final. The R.C. Bastards brought up the rear.

10 years and 24 season later the BPL is the biggest, most competitive Open competition in the country. The draft structure is gone and teams have been recruiting, training and competing as clubs since the beginning of 2004. The R.C. Dog Cup became the Men's A League (MAL) which then became the Brisbane Premier League. Clubs formed, recruitment increased, rivalries developed, rules changed, players joined and the competition grew. The last completed league featured 7 teams and 86 players, 3 times larger that the first league 10 years ago.

Without the vision of Jason, Stewart and Neo, and the effort of all the League Directors, team captains and other volunteers over the last decade we wouldn't be as fortunate as we are today.

The Brisbane Premier League. 10 years old and healthier than ever. A competition for us all to enjoy and appreciate.

Thanks to Jason, Stew and Mat Ryan for their historical contributions.