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81 who can play on what space and at what time.” The incidents forced the league to move their playoffs to rented rugby fields near Onsu, on the far western boundary of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Although the field had a good pitch and a shaded grandstand, it was also hard to get to, so after playoffs they went back to Ichon. When they returned, they found the field blocked off and a pile of rocks they had removed back in their original spot midfield — a clear message that they were no longer welcome. League organizers next turned to the World Cup Peace Park, which seemed ideal. The fields were appropriate for the sport, the loca- tion was accessible and they wouldn’t have to pay a fee. They were there for two weekends before they found out that sports teams are not allowed to reserve space there. So they headed back to Ichon, and the complaints started up again. By the end of the fall sea- son, the league had been completely barred from the fields. They got a break when they returned to the park this year in early spring to prepare for a major annual Korean and international tournament on Jeju. The weather was chilly and there were just a few teams on the fields, so they were able to play without interruption. But with the weather warming up, they were playing on borrowed time. The park holds various events on the weekends, including an equestrian event, and other groups are kept off the fields during that time. The league was allowed to play there on weekdays, but as a weekend league that wasn’t much help. And for those who would gather there for pick- up games on weekdays, there was another problem: animal droppings. Now they faced the question of rocks or poop — not much of a choice for a sports team. As of April, they were left hoping the warm weather would hold off for a bit longer so they could figure out what to do and prepare for the upcoming tournament. But it appears that this could be the end of Seoul League — a miserable outcome for league members and their supporters. “Every time I play, I learn more about team sports,” says Song Hyun-woong, who has been playing for two years. “(Not having the) Seoul League would make me very sorry, be- cause it is a big part of my life.” For the league, the consequences are also significant. “If the league did cease to exist, it would effectively eliminate Seoul Ultimate’s primary means of encouraging, supporting and grow- ing new players,” Walford says. “Additionally, it will maim our community’s ability to incor- porate and support more experienced players who may arrive from abroad. On average, we have 5-10 experienced players come every year and use Seoul League as a springboard to enter a more competitive level of Ultimate in Korea.” Seoul League is currently gearing up to send eight players (three Koreans and five expats) to the World Ultimate Club Cham- pionships in Italy in August. It is the biggest event for the sport and players from all over Korea will suit up for the team, Last Stand, a riff on the Korean movie of the same name. The league will also compete in the Korea Ultimate Players Association nationals in Po- hang, North Gyeongsang Province, in the fall, which last year were dominated by two Seoul teams that battled it out for the title. As for the future of the league here in Seoul, that fate is still unknown. “I absolutely believe that the league will live on, whether it be in a slightly different form,” Walford says. “We are continuing to hold out hope that somewhere in the vastness that is Gyeonggi Province, we will be able to find fields that we can play on regularly and with- out interruption.” MORE INfO Visit koreaultimate.net or leaguelineup. com, or search Seoul Ultimate, Korean Ultimate Players Association or Republic of Korea Ultimate on Facebook. The league is currently seeking sponsors for the players going to the World Club Championships in Italy. Inquiries should be made to team captain Allison Walford at walforda@gmail.com. ‘More than feeLing diSappointed or diSheartened by the Situation, i feeL reaLLy fruStrated. it’S fruStrating hoW pubLic and private parkS thWart SportS, not juSt uLtiMate, but aLL baLL SportS in their SpaceS, and put frivoLouS reStrictionS upon Who can pLay on What Space and at What tiMe.’ allison Walford, Seoul League coordinator
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