Two Kamloops locals to represent Team Canada at the 2024 Ultimate Frisbee World Juniors

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops locals Kylee Koppes and Grace McDonald have been selected to represent Team Canada U20 at the 2024 WFDF World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championships. The event is scheduled to take place from July 20-27, 2024 in Birmingham, UK.

Born and raised in Kamloops, Koppes and McDonald first crossed paths playing senior basketball for South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) and currently compete on a provincial and national level for local ultimate frisbee club Helios.

However, finances are a big hurdle for those selected. Each player must pay $2,570 to be on the team and will need to cover their own transportation, food and stay for training camps lasting three to four days. Camps are scheduled for Vancouver in March, Toronto in May and Ottawa and Montreal in June.

Players will also need to cover their own costs when travelling to the World Championship in Birmingham.

Koppes, a 17 year-old senior in SKSS, began playing ultimate four years ago in Grade 8, while McDonald, an 18 year-old first year student and basketball player at TRU, got involved with the sport two years ago in Grade 11.

Before being selected, Koppes and McDonald attended the national tryouts held in Burnaby this October, facing players from all over western Canada over a challenging two days, for a total of six hours a day.

Koppes told CFJC Today she was reluctant at first, but decided to attend the tryouts for the experience.

“My coaches were very encouraging and tried to convince me to go to the tryouts, since this is the last year I would be able to do it,” said Koppes. “I was nervous, but I thought it would be a good experience. When I made the team, it was absolutely incredible.”

Having previously suffered a back injury, McDonald had a similar experience, attending the tryouts after her coaches motivated her to do so.

“My coaches had a talk with me about how good I actually am, even if I don’t see it,” said McDonald. “Being at the tryouts made me realize that I could play along with all these other people, and it wasn’t as difficult as I envisioned.”

Upon learning they had been drafted, the duo expressed the joy they felt and their excitement to participate in the World Championships.

“We both found out while we were in class — she was in class and I was on my lunch break. We texted each other and couldn’t believe it,” noted Koppes.

“Making the team was actually one of the most exciting moments of my life. I didn’t stop smiling for a few days,” added McDonald.

Due to the high cost of participating in the tournament, the duo is currently looking for local businesses and organizations willing to sponsor or donate funds to make this dream come true.

A fundraising campaign is also in the works for anyone interested in donating.

For more information, visit their new instagram page at gk_teamcanada.