There are four (4) Director positions with a 2-year term to be filled.

Nominees (in alphabetical order by last name)

• Sophia Chan
• Derek Knoechel
• Ari Metzger
• Michael Robertson
• Hannah Sutton
• Jessie Tai
• Brandon Yau

Nominee Statements

Sophia Chan

I believe in the VUL's mission: To organize, promote, teach, and support spirited Ultimate in a safe and inclusive environment for all.
I love ultimate and want more people playing at a high level and I've been a VUL member for over 10 years. I have been a project manager for 4 years and I believe that will help make things alot more efficient. 

Derek Knoechel

I have been playing in the VUL since 1999, serving as captain/co-captain for numerous VUL teams.  I have a background in coaching and served as a member of the VUL skills clinic team (with VULS Hall of Famer Mike ‘Spud’ Fleury) in the mid-2000s and early 2010s.  

Ultimate has been an important part of my life for the past two and a half decades, and I have had the pleasure of playing with and against many of the legends of the Vancouver Ultimate community.  I have enjoyed playing ultimate at the recreational, competitive and touring levels, and have two boys who are currently being introduced to the sport.  I love Ultimate’s unique sense of spirit, fair play and inclusivity, and value the VULS’ long-standing tradition of preserving these values for future generations of Ultimate players, while also incorporating the vision and passion of newer players who will ensure the continued growth of the sport within the Lower Mainland and beyond.  

Professionally, I am a lawyer, practicing primarily in the areas of labour, employment and human rights.  I also have experience in providing advice to organizations on human resources, governance and disciplinary matters, as well the development and implementation of codes of conduct.

I served as a member of the BCDSS Board in the 2000s, and have more recently served as a member of the VULS Governance Committee since 2023, and as a board director since 2024, assisting with the revision of the VULS Governance Policy and Director’s Guide, Agreement and Responsibilities as well as a wide range of organizational policies.  If reelected, I anticipate continuing to provide input to the Board’s consideration of governance issues as well as to any human resources issues that may arise.

Ari Metzger

I have been playing Ultimate since 2008 and with the VUL since moving to Vancouver in 2018. I'm now completing my second term as a director and my first year as President of the Board. In my time as a director, I've also served as board secretary, chaired the strategic planning committee, and sat on the HR and governance committees. I have a great appreciation for the sport that has given me a strong sense of community and many good friends (not to mention my lovely wife) during my time playing in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisiana, and Vancouver. 

As a parent to two young children, I see in Ultimate an opportunity for kids (but also adults) to develop important skills while taking part in enjoyable physical activity. While Ultimate shares certain required skills with other team sports, it also stands alone in important ways. To highlight one: the nature of our game, especially as it's played in recreational leagues like ours, demands that people work to develop the ability to discuss differences and listen to and consider the perspectives of others, even during times of high energy and emotion. I try to take this same approach in the boardroom and hope that all of my colleagues feel heard even when concession and compromise are necessary.

Professionally, I am a consultant in the healthcare industry with experience in organizational change, project management, and organizational leadership. I have a sincere dedication to bringing all parties to the table to ensure that every voice is fairly heard and all perspectives are represented and considered. If I'm privileged enough to remain on the VUL board, I hope to help maintain and build the vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community that I've found with the VUL, ensuring a long and robust future and an abundance of opportunities for all of our current and future members.

Michael Robertson

My interest in joining the Vancouver Ultimate League (VUL) Board stems from a passion to foster a stronger sense of community within the league, similar to the vibrant, connected community I experienced playing Ultimate in New Zealand in the ‘90s and across Europe in the early 2000s.

I’ve been a part of five worlds and worlds clubs campaigns, representing New Zealand, France and Canada, and I know that a strong community needs to provide opportunities for everyone from beginners to high-level athletes

Additionally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed serving as Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee over the last year, working closely with committee members and staff to push forward initiatives that align with the league’s values and VUL members’ needs.
This experience has strengthened my desire to become more involved, and assist Rhonda in further improving the VUL.

Professionally, I bring over 15 years of experience leading diverse teams, driving branding and marketing for companies and nonprofits.

Hannah Sutton

I would like to nominate myself for a role in the VUL Board of Directors. I have been playing ultimate through VUL since 2019 where I have played on various rec league teams, the New Westminster summer hat league, and my favourite the women’s fall and winter hat league. Over these years I have developed a huge passion for ultimate, and I am so grateful for the community and friendships that I have made and I want to give back. I believe I would excel as a board member, I have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking. I have previous relevant experience from when I was the president of the Mathematics Student Union at SFU during my undergrad. Thank you for your consideration.

Jessie Tai

I have been involved in the Vancouver Ultimate community for 10 years and have enjoyed many opportunities as a VUL member. From years of league and tournaments to being assisted by the Sports Accident Insurance benefits, I've greatly admired the impact of the VUL.

I pride myself on being a community leader with a wide range of Vancouver Ultimate experience such as a High School Juniors coach, Misfit Coach, UBC B team coach, Logistics Coordinator for Vancouver Traffic and other community roles. I have a strong interest for women-matching teams and youth development, and have mentored for multiple skills clinics for the elementary, highschool and adult levels.

I also have a strong skillset being a project manager in the software industry, where critical excellent communication, organization and strategic thinking are critical. I have over 4 years of experience in risk mitigation, resource management and strategic planning.

As a passionate individual and advocate for the sport of Ultimate, this opportunity to run for Director is something I truly believe in. I am confident I would be an excellent addition to the VUL Board of Directors.

Brandon Yau

I have been passionate about ultimate since my elementary school days, starting with my time on the Annie B. Jamieson team, where we proudly became Vancouver Lower Mainland regional champions in 2008. This passion carried me through high school and beyond, ultimately leading me to join the Vancouver Ultimate League (VUL) in 2015, where I have been an active participant ever since. The sense of community, teamwork, and spirit of the game that Ultimate embodies has been a constant source of joy and inspiration in my life.

Professionally, I am an accountant by training and currently a Corporate Development Manager at TELUS. In this role, I lead the development of the company’s inorganic growth strategy and manage mergers and acquisitions, combining expertise in finance, strategic planning, and leadership. My experience in navigating complex projects, analyzing financial opportunities, and fostering collaborative environments aligns with the skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the VUL Board.

By merging my professional expertise with my deep connection to ultimate, I am eager to support the league's continued growth and success. I am particularly excited to contribute to strengthening the league's financial sustainability, strategic direction, and ability to foster inclusivity and engagement among players. Joining the Board would allow me to give back to the sport and community that has given me so much over the years.