SMOGUE: Issue 5

Em & Yellow

SMOG's first ethnic minority captaincy team, the Welsh and Northern Irish combo are a force to be reckoned with.

Emily McCabe, raised in sun drenched Belfast, has played internationally with Ireland Juniors in 2013, Ireland Mixed U23 and Ireland Women in 2015 and was selected for Ireland Mixed last year (Northern Irish players enjoy dual IRE/ GB eligibility). She was joint captain of giant-killing Euros-qualifying SMOG 2, calling the strats for the D line. She's a tenacious handler, who knows when to use her throws to make the disc do the work and when to use her speed to move the disc down the pitch. She works full time as an audiologist.

Tom 'Yellow' Lees, hailing from the North Wales metropolis of Wrexham, has been playing for SMOG since 2018, being enticed with a five figure transfer deal from Mighty Hucks. The potent leftie can usually be found anchoring SMOG 1's O line, using his arsenal of intricate breaks and powerful hucks to turnover in new and inventive ways. He is a European bronze medallist with GB Mixed Beach and bronze medallist with GB guts (that's a flying disc game, not a fat joke). He works in logistics for an online distribution company.

But what's on the cards for 2021 from this dynamic duo?

Yellow: 'I was selected for SMOG in the year that we went to Worlds and was blown away by the drive and comradery of the team. SMOG taught me a lot about what it takes to be successful as a club. I would like to pass on what I’ve learnt and try to instill the same energy that helped us achieve so much.'

Em: 'I have adored playing for SMOG since 2018 but I struggled to find my place in the team within my first year. I really found my footing when asked to captain SMOG 2. We went from a group of people who were disappointed not to be chosen for SMOG 1, to an absolute powerhouse making history as the first second team at Euros. One of my personal goals for this team is to nourish our love for the sport and for each other. Team cohesion is so important, and alongside concise tactics and an ambition to go far, we have the capacity to do amazing things.'

Ultimately, we want to create an atmosphere of high athleticism and competition, but also a place where we can appreciate each other's strengths and encourage fellow players to come forward with ideas.