Millions of underprivileged children continue to be deprived of this basic necessity in a world where access to education is considered a fundamental right. However, amidst the challenges and disparities, a beacon of hope shines.
Meet Benoy Stephen, a 27-year-old from Kerala who is redefining education through an unconventional avenue, Ultimate Frisbee. As he pioneers a unique approach to addressing the lack of life skill education, he is proving that this non-contact, self-refereed, mixed-gender sport could hold the key to unlocking the potential in these children’s lives.
Drawing inspiration from his love for sports, he saw an opportunity to leverage the power of play to transform lives. This led him to introduce Ultimate Frisbee into the lives of these children – a sport that promotes physical activity and instills values of integrity, teamwork, communication, gender equity and fair play.
In an exclusive conversation with LifeBeyondNumbers, Benoy takes us through the Ultimate Frisbee and the journey of building a non-profit, Y-Ultimate.
How Y-Ultimate was born?
Benoy got introduced to the sport of Ultimate Frisbee in his final year at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, in 2015. He came across a bunch of 15 children from Zamrudpur, GK-1 in Delhi, who had come together to form GK MAD, an ultimate frisbee club team. The culture of inclusion in the sport exposed the children to individuals and teams from various backgrounds. Adults and kids played side by side, transcending societal divides. This not only exposed the children to a diverse range of experiences but also encouraged those who had dropped out of school or college to continue their educational journey.
This inspired Benoy to join a two-year fellowship offered by Teach for India, a non-profit dedicated to bridging education equity in India. His desire to make a meaningful impact led him to Hyderabad, where he worked with children who often lacked access to quality education.
During this stint in Hyderabad, an idea that would combine his passion for sports with his commitment to social change started to take shape in his mind. Benoy introduced Ultimate Frisbee to three schools, igniting a spark of enthusiasm among the students in Hyderabad.
Having witnessed the challenges faced by marginalized youth and the stark gender disparities that persisted, Benoy was determined to create a platform that would not only break down barriers but also empower these children to dream beyond their circumstances. This led to the inception of Y-Ultimate, a non-profit that uses the sport of Ultimate Frisbee to catalyze change in more lives.
“A team of 15 children who had experienced limited opportunities united to form their own Ultimate Frisbee team. Their goal was simple: to ensure that every member had a chance to play and grow. In 2015, GK MAD was born, and with it, a revolution in perspective,” says Benoy.
Through Y-Ultimate, the first set of children at GK MAD, who became young adults, continued to pay it forward by teaching Ultimate Frisbee to the next generation of children in schools and communities. This also created an opportunity for them to earn a stipend to continue their aspirations, especially education.
How Ultimate Frisbee can build self-esteem in underprivileged children?
Ultimate Frisbee has three key features that separate it from other team sports: Non-contact, Mixed-Gender, and Self-refereed.
In a tournament at the national level, every player has to play about 270 minutes in the day, which translates to 90 minutes per game with extreme exertion. However, the impact of the sport goes beyond mere physical activity; it nurtures leadership qualities that extend into the children’s everyday lives.
They learn valuable lessons in emotional regulation and conflict resolution as they engage in the sports’ self-regulated and non-contact environment. The essence of self-refereeing teaches them to navigate challenging situations calmly and respectfully. This translates to an understanding that winning is not the sole goal; instead, the focus lies on mutual respect and fair play. The exposure through practicing and playing the sport cultivates a sense of self-confidence that isn’t tied to winning or losing but rather to overcoming adversity, collaborating, and communicating effectively.
Benoy continues, “Ultimate Frisbee ethos extends to a deeper level through practices like the ‘spirit circle’ where both teams come together to resolve conflicts and provide feedback to each other. The ‘Spirit Circle’ helps the children learn the essence of healthy competition and personal growth. This culture of respectful communication, even amid competition, develops an understanding of emotions and social awareness. We at Y-Ultimate use this space to discuss and learn critical life skills that come out through play.”
The Impact of the Ultimate Frisbee
Laxman’s early years were marked by the adoption of questionable practices, including smoking cigarettes, beginning at the tender age of 12. However, his trajectory underwent a remarkable shift, and today, Laxman is renowned as one of the most spirited players on the field. His unwavering commitment to the sport has earned him consistent recognition through the “Most Spirited Player.”
Meanwhile, Sapna’s life was abruptly altered when her father, a truck driver, tragically met with a fatal road accident when she was a mere 8 years old. Confronted by the daunting task of single-handedly providing for her family, Sapna’s mother displayed immense courage by uprooting them from West Bengal to settle in Delhi. In the world of Ultimate Frisbee, Sapna emerged as an embodiment of strength and resilience. Transcending her past hardships, she took a stand against any form of discrimination or bullying within her team.
Similarly, Manjeet’s life was shaped by the adversity of growing up in a dysfunctional family, forcing him to navigate life’s challenges from an early age. However, his encounter with a group of determined peers through Ultimate Frisbee acted as a catalyst for positive change.
Benoy’s story shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration in a world often defined by its challenges. His efforts remind us that change is possible, no matter how unconventional the path might be. Through Y-Ultimate, Ultimate Frisbee continues to take root in the lives of these children. It serves as a symbol of empowerment, education, and the limitless potential that lies within each individual, waiting to be nurtured and unleashed.
Ultimate Frisbee is a sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee, and Y-Ultimate is a non-profit that uses this as a tool to enable life skills education. To learn more about the initiative and contribute, visit yultimate.org.