• Is FMS Ultimate an official school sport?
Nope. We are an independent team operating under the competitive umbrella of Maine Ultimate, a local non-profit that is dedicated to fostering youth ultimate. We have a great relationship with the middle school and elementary school gym teachers and will have, by the end of the 2023 season, taught the 3rd-15th grades how to play ultimate in their gym classes, but we have no formal relationship with the district.
• Does FMS Ultimate have any affiliation with the Falmouth Rec. Program?
No. Again, we’re big fans of the Falmouth Rec. Program and appreciate everything they do to help us secure field space and time, but we have no affiliation with them.
• Who can play on the FMS Ultimate team?
Any student living in Falmouth who is in the 3rd through 8th grade can play on the intramural team, while the Falmouth Rogue travel team is open to players starting in the 4th grade.
• Who are the coaches?
Head coach Shea Gunther has managed FMS Ultimate for nine seasons prior to 2023. He is a USA Ultimate Level 1 Certified Coach and is a long time ultimate player. Having played at the college, club, and social level, Shea has a deep love of the game and a drive to help build the future of the sport.
• What are the differences between the Intramural and Travel Teams?
The biggest difference between the two teams are the level of commitment expected. Falmouth Rogue players start practicing in April and have two practices a week during the pre-season and then play or practice four days a week once we get outside on the grass in May. In contrast, the Intramural players start after April vacation and plays twice per week. Intramural practices and games are also much more mellow than Travel Team practices, where players will be expected to show up ready to learn and to get in shape. We take the game a little more seriously on Travel days. One fun aspect of our program is that Travel team players play with Intramural team players on Intramural days.
• Do I have to register for both teams if my son or daughter is playing on the Travel Team?
No. Even though the Travel Team players will play and practice with the Intramural players twice per week, you don’t need to register for both. The team dues for the Travel Team covers everything.
• My daughter or son plays another sport. Can they still play ultimate?
Yup! That’s what the Intramural Team is for. We try to schedule Intramural games and practices around other sports as best we can and if your player has to miss a day of Intramural to attend a lacrosse game or track meet, it’s not a problem!
• When will practices be?
The Travel team will start practicing on Saturday, April 1st. For the month of April, we’ll be practicing on Saturdays from 8am to 10am and Sundays from 11am to 1pm, both at the Falmouth ES gym. At the end of April, we will move outside to the grass and start our regular season schedule. Once we get outside on the grass, the Intramural team will start playing and will meet on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7pm. The Travel team players will participate in Intramural on those days and will also play on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the same time. Note- all Travel Team practice are two hours long, so Travel days are 5:30-7:30pm. In addition, there is at least one weekend tournament for the Travel team and both programs end the season with a weekend tournament and ice cream party. All practices are held on the grass fields directly across the street from the Falmouth High School.
All Travel Team events can be found on our calendar.
• When does the season start?
The Travel Team will start the first week in April. The Intramural Teams will start at the end of April when the fields become available for use.
• When does the season end?
All teams wrap up play in the beginning of June with a fun tournament and ice cream party.
• How far does the Travel Team actually travel?
Not terribly far. We play one tournament in Amherst, Massachusetts but otherwise stick to South Portland and Cumberland in addition to games against local towns like Portland and Cape Elizabeth.
• How can I stay engaged as an Ultimate Parent?
Join the FMS Ultimate Parents Group! We announce all important and necessary information to the group and it’s an easy way to connect with other parents.
Have a question that you don’t see an answer to? Email coach Shea Gunther at sheagunther@gmail.com and he’ll answer and add it.
FMS Ultimate 