As the international Ultimate community gets ready for the WFDF 2024 World Ultimate Championships next month, we are putting the spotlight on some of the teams that will be traveling to Australia for this premier event, and a chance to qualify for The World Games 2025. Join us, as we follow their Road to WUC.
Italy is no stranger to WFDF World Ultimate Championship events.
The country has competed in most WFDF World Ultimate Championships, including in 1983, the first year the event was held.
But the Italian delegation heading to Australia later this month in some ways still feels like it’s a new program, looking to make an impact on the world stage.
“At worlds, the level is so high, the intensity is so high,” said Irene Scazzieri, one of the captains of the Italian side competing in the Mixed division.
“Half of our team is really young and has never played something like a World Championship. For us, it’s a real challenge.”
“We see it as development for our players because each high level event is a really good experience for everybody,” echoed Josh Poltock, one of the Open team’s captains.
Italy will be sending a Mixed and Open team to WUC 2024, which kicks off on the Gold Coast on August 31.
The 2024 championships will mark the first time Italy has sent a Mixed team to a WUC since 2008. That squad has already seen some major success this summer, earning bronze at Windmill Windup in Amsterdam.
But all sights are set on the upcoming WUC 2024, where the goal for both teams is to finish in the Top 8.
“The Italian movement is something that is growing through the years,” said Alessandro Fiorentino, who works on the communications and marketing commission of Flying Disc disciplines for the Italian Federation, also called FIGeST.
“We would like to let other countries know that Italy is full of talent and it’s able to create talent through the years.”
And their ambitions don’t stop there. The Italians are looking beyond even WUC and are hoping to see Italy earn a spot at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China with their performance this fall.
“FIGeST, a member of the Italian National Olympic Committee, would like to achieve the ambitious result of having Flying Disc in addition to Tug of War and Racquetball at the upcoming TWG2025 World Games,” said Salvatore Comis, President of Flying Disc Committee on FIGeST.
They know the road will not be easy but the teams have been preparing for the competition both physically and mentally.
Italy goes into the competition with a reputation for passion and intensity but Scazzieri said there’s a renewed emphasis on focus and patience during this campaign.
“Italy is very passionate. People know they can expect that from Italy. This time, we are trying something a little bit different,” she said.
Additionally, the players said they are motivated by the flags they wear on their jerseys and are humbled by the honor they’ve been given to represent their country.
“Being on the national team, it gives you that level of confidence. You can be at your best level because you’ve been chosen. Every player will try to put the work in and get the best result,” Poltock said.
Following WUC, the future is bright for Italy. Both Poltock and Scazzieri first encountered Ultimate while in school and the initiative to expand programming for younger generations continues to grow around the country.
Some of that youth development is already starting to pay off. Last month, Italy took home bronze in the Women’s division at the WFDF World Junior Ultimate Championships.
“We are super hungry to prove what it means to be on this path,” Fiorentino said. “We want to be a top competitor every year.”
Follow along with Italy’s path to WUC on Instagram at @flying_disc_italia.