Valley of the Sun Ultimate has been an official non-profit organization for less than 30 years, but it has been a community of players and organizers for much longer. New Year Fest, our locally run tournament, entered its fourth decade in 2012.
This page is an attempt at an inclusive history. It is a work in progress. If you have materials or reminiscences, please email me at webmaster@vots.org ~Katherine Nabity, 07/09/20
New Year Fest XXXVIII
Leagues
Due to COVID-19, leagues were cut short and cancelled in 2020. A/B Winter League playoffs were cancelled and champions were determined by regular season win/loss. Spring League was cancelled in the third week after a welcome night game, one regular game, and rain-out.
Spring League 2020
Fall League 2020
Fall League ended prematurely at the beginning of December due to increases in COVID-19 infections.
Professional
Arizona Sidewinders
The Arizona Sidewinders are the first professional Ultimate team in the state of Arizona. As part of the Western Ultimate League, the Sidewinders want to foster growth within the sport and provide a way for all women to compete on a stage which showcases high-level, competitive Ultimate.
Alas, the inaugural WUL season has been sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Year Fest XXXIX
New Year Ultimate Fest 39, which was originally scheduled for January 30-31, 2021, was cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leagues
Spring League 2021
Champion: Cyanara
Captains: Lauren Berg & Brendan Carriel
Summer League 2021, Session 1
Mixed Champions: One in a Blue Moon
Captains: Carrie Bawolek & Ryan Bleam
Mixed Teams | Mixed Results
Men's Champions: Team B
Men's Teams | Men's Results
Summer League 2021, Session 2
Mixed Champions: The Bleam Team
Captains: Nicole George & Kris Kaufman
Mixed Teams | Mixed Results
Men's Champions: Team F
Captains: Kris Kaufman & Andrew Kelley
Men's Teams | Men's Results
Fall League 2021
Champion: Back 4 Blood
Captains: Allyson Pacini & Logan Waskiewicz
Most Spirited Players: Carlos Diaz & Jody Sheets
New Year Fest XXXIX
After a special session meeting on Saturday 1/8/22, the Valley of the Sun Ultimate Association (VOTS) Board of Directors has voted to cancel the upcoming New Year Ultimate Fest tournament.
A number of factors played into the Board's decision. The ongoing spike of Omicron infections, including break-through cases; reports of significant infections at similar events; concerns about travel disruptions for out-of-state teams; possible COVID-related personnel disruptions to all teams; and the potential for field access to be restricted to only in-state players were all discussed. While the Board takes no pleasure in canceling the event, they felt that there was not enough confidence that the New Year Ultimate Fest could be held with the high level of competition and amenities that have been the tournament’s hallmark for 40 years.
Leagues
AB Winter League 2022
Champion, A League: Circle K
Captains: Kris Kaufman & Kody Lippincott
Champion, B League: Blubeluga
Captains: Keith Aspinall & Eliza Laden Mauro
Spring Leagues 2022
Champion, Mixed League: Flyin' Hawaiian
Captains: Cassie Cox & Brian Parma
Champion, Open League: Nacho Average Team
Captains: Dean Nelson & Dustin Udall
Summer League 2022, First Session
Champion, Wednesday League: Sushi Stack
Captains: Liv Chambliss & Tim Streit
Champion, Thursday League: Frozen Bananas
Captains: Katie Campbell & Tim Streit
Summer League 2022, Second Session
Champion: Man, I Like Frogs
Captains: Jacob Dixon & Nicole George
Fall Mixed League 2022
Champion: The Great British Breaking Throw
Captains: Allyson Pacini & Tim Streit
Professional
Arizona Sidewinders
In their first full season of play, the Sidewinders finished third after sneaking into finals via tie-breakers. Congratulations, Snakes!
New Year Fest 2023
Leagues
A/B Winter League 2023
Champion, A League: Flawless Fatality
Captains: Michael Simeone & Cynthia Thomas
Champion, B League: Watch Your Six
Captains:Ted Bland & Libby Salisbury
Spring Leagues 2023
Champion, Mixed League: m8
Captains: Phillip Samuels & Ashley Stahl
Champion, Open League: Black Mamba
Captains: Logan Waskiewicz & Dean Nelson
New Year Fest 2024
Leagues
A/B Winter Leagues 2024
A League – Call it a draw! "A" League teams ended play on Thursday 2/22 in a closely contested game.
B league – "B" League players gathered for a final showdown on Saturday, 2/24. Numbers were low, but the Red team was victorious!
Spring League 2024
Champion, Mixed League: Da Black Bears
Captains: Kaysi Clark & Tim Streit
Champion, Open League: Frog
Captains: Nick Kelly & Philip Samuels