Welcome new parents!
I’ve been teaching lots of kids how to play ultimate this week at Falmouth Elementary (big thanks to Mr. Sprague!), so I wanted to share some quick basic information for parents who kids might be interested in playing ultimate.
We have two basic programs for kids to choose from, depending on their grade level. Our intramural program is for students in the 3rd-8th grades and is just one day-a-week, starting up in May when we can get outside to play on the grass. Intramural runs from 6-7:30pm on Wednesdays and is for kids who play other sports or who just want to play a little bit of ultimate. It’s relaxed and mellow and focused on fun.
Our travel program, also known as Falmouth Rogue, is for kids in the 4th-8th grades who want to play and learn more about the fine points of ultimate. Kids do not need to try out for the travel team nor do they need previous experience playing- the travel team is for kids who just want to play more. The travel team starts up in April, with weekend practices, before transitioning to a four-day-per week schedule in May. Travel team players either practice or play games against other towns Monday through Thursday, though on Wednesday the travel players just play in the intramural program, so that’s their easier day in the week.
There is more running and training involved with the travel team and we generally expect travel players to take the game more seriously, even while we’re having lots of fun getting awesome. Travel players also get uniforms and hats and more frisbees. We also expect that travel players do not play other sports during the season, or if they do, they make ultimate a priority if there is ever a conflict.
There is one tournament for the travel team in Amherst, Massachusetts in the middle of May, but otherwise we play against local teams, so there isn’t actually that much travel to the travel team.
Another important note is that sign-ups for the travel team close out on Tuesday, March 29th, after which time registration for intramural opens. There is no deadline to sign up for the intramural team.
Sign ups now open for Intramural!
If you have any other questions after reading through this, you can check out our official FAQ and/or get in touch with me directly at sheagunther@gmail.com.
Roll Falmouth!
Coach Shea