Lewis Goldby jumped the fence of his Christchurch flat to let his neighbours know of his national ultimate frisbee team selection.
The 22-year-old Former Hauraki Plains College deputy head boy told The Profile he caught his selection for the Under 24 New Zealand Mixed Ultimate team in November last year after three years’ competing in the sport while studying at the University of Canterbury.
“There was no one in my flat around but I jumped the fence to our neighbours, who were really good mates of ours, and ran up their stairs and got really excited and told them.”
Lewis said he was introduced to ultimate frisbee in his first year at university, and became serious about the sport in his second year.
“I’ve really enjoyed the people who are involved in the sport, they are all super friendly, always wanting to go out of their way to help teach you things.
“Plus it keeps you fit and you get to do cool things, like getting a sick layout block, that feeling is unreal.”
Lewis, who is now a graduate engineer in Wellington, said he became interested in joining the national squad when he caught wind that they were going to compete at the World Flying Disc Federation 2023 World Under 24 Ultimate Championship.
“I found out about it very early last year and decided it was something I really wanted to do because I found that the best way to develop is to play at that high level and be around lots of people that have been there for a long time,” he said.
“I went to a gym and got a training programme developed, one that was developed for other athletes competing at worlds a little earlier, and then while studying I trained hard outside of university and had team training for three months.
“Then after that three months I trialled for the [national] team.”
Lewis said he and the team of 22 other ultimate frisbee players would jet to Nottingham, England for the championship, which is set to fling into action between July 2 and 8.
“Playing high level ultimate frisbee, that of itself is why I’m going there and what I’m most excited for,” he said.
“I caught myself at the trails with this massive grin on my face because to me it felt like I had made it, it was where I wanted to be, and doing that at an international level would be unreal.”
Lewis said his mother, Fiona Goldby, recently held a firewood raffle at Ngātea Four Square, where she is the duty manager, raising around $1000 to go towards his travel and other costs related to the upcoming championship.
“I’m incredibly thankful for everything she’s done… I was blown away by the support of my hometown,” he said.
“Return flights are around $3000 and all the training and preparation work is about $5000 I think so the total would be $8000.”
He planned to continue the fundraising effort.
“At uni, I developed a bit of a passion for baking, bread making and pastries and I would love to do some bake sales around Wellington.”
