Building on the success of an inaugural season, the Colorado Alpenglow is holding an open tryout. The semi-professional ultimate (frisbee) team of women and nonbinary players is gearing up for the 2024 season.
The Alpenglow is one of eight teams in the Western Ultimate League (WUL).
About the WUL
The WUL “invites all women and people of underrepresented genders to participate, including cisgender and transgender women, non-binary, and intersex people ages 18 or older to play. Open tryouts are designed for players of all skill levels to participate in.”
Those words are from Alpenglow’s website. Team founders and players say that is an important part of their mission, not just for ultimate, but sports in general.
“Seeing women and non-binary athletes means that youth across the gender spectrum can see there’s a professional sport that doesn’t just accept who they are, but celebrates who they are, is visionary,” said Betsy Basch, co-founder and player.
Where and when?
Those interested in trying out for the team can attend on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Grass Pod No. 4 field at Long Lake Regional Park in Arvada.
Check-in time runs from 9:15-9:45 a.m. with tryouts set to end at 2 p.m.
In an eight-game year one, the Alpenglow finished 3-5. The Alpenglow is one of four teams in the Northwest Conference, and finished last in the conference behind the Utah Wild, the Oregon Onyx and the Seattle Tempest.
But the response from the community is what made the team’s first season a success.
“It was one heck of a ride for an inaugural season,” Basch said. “There was so much learning, growth, support, and stress. Wanting to put out a great product that people will like and support is a huge responsibility that we take really seriously. We want to help build something that will continue to be integrated with our community for years to come.”
To register for the tryout, view the registration form at this link.
The cost is $60 to register and includes a required, reversible Alpenglow jersey to be worn during the tryout. If you already own a reversible Alpenglow jersey, the cost is $40. There is a $10 discount for college and “18-and-older youth players.”
The deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 2 before midnight.
What to bring:
- A Colorado Alpenglow reversible jersey (if you have one)
- Athletic shoes/cleats
- Personal nutritional needs and a full water bottle.
Some additional food/water will be available at the fields. Medical support, provided by Delta S Performance, will be available for all participants at all team activities throughout the 2024 season, according to the team’s website.
There are two closed, invite-only tryouts on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. Players that turn heads at the open tryout can potentially be invited to further tryouts.
“We hope it lasts and grows forever,” Phil Lohre said. “The response from the community has just been fabulous with the turnout at games… we’re a community-based team.”