Flyball is one of those sports that’s hard to explain until you hear it, see it, and feel it. The barking crescendos as the dogs line up, the box loader leans in, and suddenly four dogs are flying over hurdles, grabbing tennis balls, and exchanging places with the next four in a blur of speed. It’s a relay like no other—equal parts strategy, adrenaline, and pure joy.
For U-FLI co-owner Aaron Robbins, flyball isn’t just competition. It’s a community, a place where junior handlers grow into leaders, where families cheer as loudly for each other’s dogs as their own, and where innovation is constantly reshaping what the sport can be. “Flyball is about people and their dogs sharing something extraordinary,” Aaron explains. “It builds community, challenges teams, and creates memories that last a lifetime.” 
Aaron’s story is a reminder of flyball’s accessibility. He discovered the sport at age 12, without much of a sports background. After joining friends of the family in the lanes, he soon got his own dog and the journey took off. Over time, Aaron became not only a competitor but a teacher, innovator, and leader. “When I finished university, dog training was the path I took,” he recalls. That decision has shaped a career filled with world travel, championship wins, and a front-row seat to the sport’s evolution.
At its core, flyball is simple: a team of four dogs races over four jumps to a box that launches a tennis ball. The dog grabs the ball and sprints back, passing its teammate at the line. Fastest team wins. But ask any competitor, and they’ll tell you it’s more than mechanics. It’s the teamwork, the strategy, and the love of dogs that keep people hooked.
Aaron knows this well. “It’s a high-energy relay sport, but it’s also a community,” he says. And nowhere is that clearer than at the 1-TDC Tournament of Champions, held annually at Purina Farms in Missouri. As the premier event in U-FLI flyball, it brings together teams from across North America, united by speed and spirit.
If flyball is about energy, U-FLI is about evolution. Under Aaron’s leadership and his team, the organization has embraced technology like Flyball Score, a program that replaced old paper systems with real-time race data, points, and stats. “As soon as the heat is finished, you can check your app and see times, points, and averages,” Aaron explains. The result is faster, smoother tournaments that keep teams engaged and fans informed.
U-FLI is also investing in the next generation. The revamped Junior Handlers Program now includes achievement levels and even a scholarship fund for post-secondary education. “We’re really excited about that,” Aaron says. “It keeps young people in the sport and helps make it more affordable.” Watching kids as young as eight learn responsibility, teamwork, and confidence is one of the sport’s most inspiring features.
Aaron is quick to point out that U-FLI’s strength comes from its clubs. “They’re the backbone. They bring in new handlers, new families, and train the dogs. Our job is to support them,” he says. That support includes scheduling tools, promotion, feedback, and even board members showing up at local tournaments to help run events. “When the clubs thrive, the sport thrives.”
One challenge Aaron acknowledges is visibility. “Many people don’t know what flyball is. But every time someone sees it, they fall in love.” That’s where technology like live streaming comes in. U-FLI events now broadcast races online, paired with real-time stats, making it easier for fans to cheer from anywhere.
This year’s 1-TDC Tournament of Champions introduces a new format: Saturday time trials to seed divisions for Sunday. That ensures teams compete at their actual current level, not based on results from months before. “It’s fairer and more competitive,” Aaron explains. Add in community favorites like Friday night meet-and-greets, and you’ve got a weekend that’s as much reunion as competition.
For 1-TDC, sponsoring the Tournament of Champions is about more than branding. It’s about aligning with a sport that values dogs’ long-term well-being. 1-TDC supports both gum health and joint health, making it a perfect fit for flyball dogs who need strong mouths and strong bodies to perform their best.
Asked about U-FLI’s future, Aaron is clear: “Our goal is simple: grow the sport, support the clubs, and make sure the joy of flyball reaches as many people as possible.”
And for anyone still on the sidelines? Aaron has an invitation: “Come see a race. Talk to a team. You’ll be hooked. Flyball is for everyone, and you and your dog can be part of it.”
🎥 Watch the full interview with Aaron Robbins here
1-TDC Oral Health + Mobility Support for Dogs
$32.00
Keep your pet Happy, Active & Comfortable from Head-to-Tail with 1-TDC. This unique supplement is SO effective that it is recommended by TOP Veterinary Experts worldwide to maintain and improve your pet’s health in 4 important areas: Oral Health….… read more
