The first Victorian U22 team coach we are featuring is Steph Chong who is making her debut as assistant coach with the Blue Devils.
Chong joined Ellipsis
Ultimate in 2019 and is one of three sisters who have become heavily involved
with Ultimate over the past few years. Chong most recently competed at the U24
World Ultimate Championships 2019 with the Stingrays (womens) in Germany and currently
plays with Deakin University Ultimate.
Her involvement with
the Blue Devils began in 2017 as a player along with fellow Blue Devil’s
assistant coach Charlie Medic. “We had such an awesome time playing that we
thought there was no better way to stay involved and give back to the U22
program than to become coaches.”
This year Chong has
learned more than she had in the years prior which she puts down to her experiences
with Ellipsis Ultimate during the 2019 Australian Ultimate Championships and
the Stingrays. “This year Ellipsis taught me what it is like to play at a high
level, what it takes to be the best and what drive people to want to continue
getting better.” Chong also noted that despite a disappointing finish with the
Stingrays, it taught her resilience and ignited a desire to improve not only
her game but the game of others around her.
Chong wants to make her
coaching debut count because of her past experience with great coaches at the
youth level. “If it wasn’t for the experiences I had playing U22s, I don’t
think I would have taken that next step and played for Ellipsis or represented
Australia. I recognise how much of an impact the under 22s program can have on
someone’s path through ultimate and I would like to assist and inspire the next
generation of Blue Devils in deciding the path they wish to take and help lead
them along the path they choose.”
The 2019 Blue Devils promise to be an exciting outfit, according to Chong. “We have had one training session so far and it was super exciting to get our campaign underway. Coaching and the responsibilities that come with it is not something I have much experience in, but I am looking forward to the challenge and what we can achieve.”
The Australian U22 Ultimate Championships will take place in Canberra from Friday 30 November 2019 to Sunday 2 December 2019.