About Our Fall Program

We are all very excited about the Ultimate program here at HIMS. It's been a great success! But we are being overwhelmed by its popularity. It's heartbreaking to exclude any kids, but we don't have enough practice field space to accommodate everyone. We've come to understand that a team with too many players creates a difficult and frustrating environment. Play time becomes very limited, in practices and especially in games, and it can be a very frustrating experience for players and coaches. Because of this we have instituted a program size cap in order to improve the experience of participating players.

Team Numbers Cap

We will have a target of 21 players per team with a maximum of 24 players per team.
All teams will be co-ed and will balance genders so as to adhere to the standard established by DiscNW for all youth leagues:

DiscNW’s gender maximum rule requires each team to play each point with no more than four players who identify as the same gender. If you cannot do so, you will have to play down unless otherwise discussed with your opponent according to the Captain’s Clause.
The gender a player identifies with is considered that player’s gender. Please refer to DiscNW’s Gender Inclusion Policy for more information.

We intend to field five teams this season. With more coaches and practice field space, we may be able to field six teams.

Acceptance Into Our Program

Ultimate prides itself on its focus on community and "Spirit of the Game". We will always put our greatest emphasis on sportsmanship, inclusion, community, and a commitment to learning the game and becoming a better player and teammate while adhering to these principles. We will accept players into the program based on their commitment to the sport and their teammates, their citizenship and contribution to the "Spirit of the Game". This season, game and disc skills will also be a contributing factor in acceptance into the program. We will rank players based on basic disc skills, quickness and speed, field awareness, experience, and knowledge of the game.

Below is our list of Acceptance Criteria. This list is in our primary order of preference, though for some players, one thing may be weighted more than for others. For example, a player who has previously been committed to the program at Hamilton for years, is a recognized leader, and has an understanding and commitment to the "Spirit of the Game" may rank higher than a player who is simply a strong and accomplished athlete.

Commitment to "Spirit of the Game", our ultimate community, and being a good citizen and teammate.
Participation and Availability

All players are expected to participate in all practices and all games, though a very limited number of excused absences is acceptable.
If you think your child may need to miss practices because of other commitments, then please consider withdrawing your registration for the Fall and try again in the Spring, or explore some of the other options listed below.
We will attempt to accommodate players/family schedules regarding team placement, but not at the expense of other players who meet or exceed the above criteria. While we will ask parents for a preferred day to practice, we offer no guarantee that we can place your child on a team on your preferred day.

Skills and Knowledge of the Game. Players will be rated based on:

Willingness to learn and accept instruction.
Field awareness and player safety.
Disc skills.
Speed, quickness, and general athletic ability or aptitude.
Knowledge of the game, including rules, terms, and offensive and defensive strategy.
Experience with the game of ultimate or other field sports.

Note: there is no fee for Fall Ultimate as it is an SPS sport.

Options for Students who are not selected into the HIMS Fall Ultimate Program
While we invite all students to tryout for ultimate at HIMS, and we hope that ultimate will become a part of their life, playing on a Middle School team may not be your child's best introduction to the game. Middle School ultimate in Seattle has become a very competitive sport over the years. Because of increased interest at HIMS, and more students entering Middle School with a couple years of ultimate already under their belts, acceptance into our program is also very competitive. We encourage you to seriously consider whether HIMS Fall Ultimate is right for your child. For example, our club offers a slightly less competitive program in the Spring (meaning, we have fewer students who participate). And while Fall Ultimate has historically been able to accept students who are either new to the game, or are new to organized team sports, this season we will be more selective. To be clear: interest, enthusiasm, commitment and "Spirit of the Game" are very important to us. Paramount, in fact. We truly aren't looking only for the natural and gifted athletes. We want kids who want to play Ultimate! But we don't have room for students who are simply applying to acquire a PE waiver. We expect a lot from players in our program.

Now.. that said.. WE NEED MORE GIRLS!

Our program is co-ed, and we have a set amount of open slots for both boys and girls. Historically we have typically not filled the maximum amount of girls on our teams. Because of this, we will likely be able to accept all female registrants into our program (so long as the student meets our Acceptance Criteria). Please forward this website link to any girls who you think might enjoy joining our program!

Opportunities to Learn Ultimate, and Work On Your Chops!
Here are a few options for students who aren't accepted into, or who choose not to play HIMS Fall ultimate, but still want to play the game.

Our Ultimate Club hosts teams from HIMS during the Spring season. Fewer students sign up for Spring ultimate, so we can typically accept all students who sign up. Note: There is a fee for this program.

Go To Camp!

Game Rosters

Coaches will have final discretion on game rosters, substitutions, and play time. While we will absolutely do our best to see that all players get equal play time during the regular season (per our program policy), we are under no obligation to do so. Please understand this.

More Information about the Ultimate Program

Academic Eligibility

From the HIMS website: Player eligibility will be based on a 2.0 average for all classes with no more than one core subject (math, reading, writing, social studies, or science) having a sub-2.0 grade at any time.
HIMS automatically assesses player eligibility on a weekly basis. The school athletic director will notify any players who are not meeting criteria and their coaches. Students who are not academically eligible cannot play in games that week, but can still participate in practice. Hamilton school staff will work with those students to set up an academic plan to get back on track.

PE Waivers

Students who do not enroll in a PE class at HIMS are required to complete at least 60 hours of organized athletic activity during the school year. Students are required to submit a PE Waiver to the HIMS Office, stating their plan for organized athletic activity.

More info about the PE Waiver at HIMS (will update when the 2018 page is out)
PE Waivers can be obtained from the HIMS Office
46 Hours - Total estimate of hours for the PE Waiver for Fall Ultimate

8 week season, 23 events (including tryouts, practices, and games), 2 hours per event.

Transportation

Game Days

Players must have their own transportation to games.
If we can, we will enlist a parent to organize a game-day carpool system.
If you would like to be our Carpool Coordinator, please email us at hamiltonhawksultimate@gmail.com.

Tournaments

Equipment / Jerseys

Footwear: Soccer or football cleats are highly recommended.
Clothing: Shorts or athletic pants, a synthetic athletic shirt, and warm/rain layers.
Jerseys: Players will be provided a Hamilton Ultimate jersey. These are the property of HIMS and must be returned at the end of the season.

Players who own a Hamilton Ultimate jersey from a previous season may use that jersey.

If you have any questions, please email us at hamiltonhawksultimate@gmail.com