Hawks Ultimate at Hamilton International Middle School
This website will be your primary source of information about the ultimate program at Hamilton International Middle School.
Fall Ultimate at Hamilton is sponsored by the Seattle Public Schools and governed by the policies of the Seattle Public Schools, Hamilton International Middle School, DiscNW and the Hawks Ultimate Club. The fall league is administered and scheduled by DiscNW.
Find out more here at DiscNW: Fall Public Middle School League
Registration must be completed and verified by Tuesday September 12, 2023:
1) Hawks Ultimate Club registration form for tryouts is now open!
2) Ensure your SPS Physical Participation Form has an exam date within 2 years of the playoff dates.
3) "Final Forms" for SPS authorization to play: Register online here 8/18-9/12
Schedule
Tryouts
8th grade tryouts: Tuesday, September 12th, 3:50 - 6:00 p.m. @ Wallingford Park (meet outside by the Hawks Nest)
7th grade tryouts: Wednesday, September 13th, 2:35 - 4:45 p.m. @ Wallingford Park (meet outside by the Hawks Nest)
6th grade tryouts: Thursday, September 14th, 3:50 - 6:00 p.m. @ Wallingford Park (meet outside by the Hawks Nest)
Practices start the week of September 18th
September 23rd: First day of games for Hamilton
November 4th: Last day of the regular season
November 11th, 18th: Playoffs
What to Bring
Appropriate and comfortable athletic clothing. Synthetic shirt and shorts is best
Cleats (preferable) or sneakers
A warm layer and rain jacket
Water
Snack
Fantastic Spirit and a Great Ultimate Attitude!
Practice Schedule
6MWJI - M 4:00 - 5:45 / W 2:45 - 4:30 @ Wallingford Playfield
6TTHEN and 6TTHKDM - TTh 4:00 - 5:45 @ Wallingford Playfield
78MTHMK - MTh 4:15 - 6:00 @ Green Lake Playfield
78TTHDR - TTh 4:15 - 6:00 @ Green Lake Playfield
8MTHDM - MTh 4:15 - 6:00 @ Green Lake Playfield
Development - Fri 4:00 - 5:45 @ Wallingford Playfield
Game Schedule
Games will be played each Saturday from September 23rd through November 18, anywhere between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
Game schedules will be posted on the DiscNW Public Middle School League page. When possible, RSVP to help coaches plan.
Games fields are located throughout the city of Seattle and coaches ask that players be ready to warm up 30-45 minutes prior to the posted game time.
Acceptance into the Ultimate Program
Any student, regardless of experience, is encouraged to try out for Hamilton’s All Gender Ultimate Teams this fall. We try to place as many students as possible on DiscNW league teams but often are limited by the number of coaches and non-male identifying players from the Hamilton community. Coaches plan to support a practice team this fall for all who aren't placed on teams that compete with other schools AND are interested in learning more about Ultimate. We also hope that Ultimate tryouts are a fun, learning experience for students even if they are not placed on a league team.
Team Numbers Cap
We will have a target of 21 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 plan to field five league teams and a practice team this season. If we can secure more coaches and practice field space, we may be able to field six teams.
Acceptance Criteria
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." Games 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.
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
and... we often need more non-male identifying players!
More Information about the Fall Ultimate Program
Academic Standards
From the Hamilton 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.
Hamilton 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.
Discipline policy
For the most part, we are very lucky to have a crew of dedicated and respectful players, but sometimes middle schoolers will act inappropriately. When those actions are repeatedly causing disruptions that prevent their teammates from participating and improving, coaches have to take action beyond the typical corrections (e.g., pay attention, extra laps).
Hamilton Ultimate follows a two warning policy. Repeated interruptions will be followed by a one-on-one discussion with coaches and the player, where we will explain specifically what the player needs to improve. That is their first warning. If the behavior continues, a discussion between coaches and the player's parents is the second warning. Finally if the behavior persists, the player will be cut from the team. Players will be told about this at their first practice, but we wanted to make sure parents are aware of the policy. It is rare that we get to even the second warning.
PE Waivers
Students who do not enroll in a PE class at Hamilton are required to complete at least 80 hours of organized athletic activity during the school year. The Hamilton Registrar will notify students if they are required to submit a PE Waiver stating their plan for organized athletic activity. Hawks Ultimate will provide one signed letter for all registered players as a block.
Estimated PE Waiver hours: 48 hours for a league team, 16 hours for the Development team
Transportation
Practices
Players are responsible for getting themselves to and from practice. For practices at Green Lake playfields, players can take the public bus or bike – more information will be provided prior to the first practice.
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.
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 Hamilton and must be returned at the end of the season.
Remember: Players may not participate in tryouts, practices, or games until all Hamilton's Final Forms are submitted and approved!