New Zealand closing in on Ultimate Frisbee world top 10

In its newly updated list, the World Flying Disc Federation ranked New Zealand up two places since January, and just 10 points outside the top 10. Photo / iStock

Forget the Rugby World Cup - Ultimate Frisbee is where it's at, now that New Zealand has jumped two places up the world rankings.

A sixth place finish by the men's U23 team at the World Under 23 Ultimate Frisbee Championships has pushed New Zealand into the 11th spot in the rankings.

In its newly updated list, the World Flying Disc Federation ranked New Zealand up two places since January, and just 10 points outside the top 10.

The rise up the rankings was due to the strong showing by the New Zealand Under-23 Men's team, who finished sixth at the world champs in July, New Zealand Ultimate said.

"This news from WFDF confirms that New Zealand is right up there with the best in the world at Ultimate," Iain Stewart, executive officer of New Zealand Ultimate said.

"We have a strong juniors programme at the U20 level and the success of the men's U23 team has been built on that.

"There is every chance we could rise higher up the rankings after next year's events with the World Ultimate Championships and World Junior Ultimate Championships scheduled to take place in 2016."

New Zealand will send five teams to the World Ultimate and Guts Championships to be held in London in June 2016, and two teams to the World Junior Championships to be held in Wroclaw, Poland in July 2016.
Flying Disc was recently recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee.

WFDF World Ultimate Rankings Top 11:

1. United States of America
2. Canada
3. Great Britain
4. Germany
5. Japan
6. Australia
7. Colombia
8. France
9. Italy
10. Finland
11. New Zealand

(Source: World Flying Disc Federation)