General Information


Welcome to the 2016 GREELY
Middle School Ultimate League!!!

We want to announce a new partnership this year between the Town of Cumberland Recreational Department and the Middle School Ultimate program.  This is a mutual partnership benefiting both organizations.  The town provides one stop shopping registration process for our program along with other administration services.   Greely Middle School Ultimate now has access to many of the towns playing fields and other athletic related resources.   We also hope that this alliance will bring additional exposure to the great sport of Ultimate within our community (you may have noticed us in the Rec Department mailing this winter)!!  Please go to the Registration pull down or the following link to sign up: http://cumberlandultimate.blogspot.com/p/ms-signup.html
 
We are coming off a fantastic middle school season last year!!  I’m not quite sure where to start: We had over 60 kids participating last season!!!!   The kids caught on to the rules quickly and embraced the “Spirit of the Game” (see attached for explanation).  The skill level rose exponentially as the spring wore on and the winds died down.  We were able to connect with other schools and played a number of games/scrimmages.  We played in 4 tournaments – including traveling out of state to a tournament in Amherst, MA.  We look to build off the momentum from last season, and can’t wait to get going.   

Indoor Practice:   Indoor practices will be every Monday in March @ the GMS Gym from 5:00 - 6.30 pm for 5th and 6th graders and 6.30-8:00 pm for 7th and 8th graders. The current practice schedule is already on the calendar (http://cumberlandultimate.blogspot.com/p/ms-cal.html) .  Practices will be added as gym space becomes available. 

Greely Middle School Ultimate League:  Last year was the inaugural season of the Greely Middle School Ultimate League.  This year, again we will divide the kids into 4 equal co-ed teams for “League Games” (all kids - all ages).  This will provide the kids with tons of playing experience and gets as many kids as possible moving at one time while keeping them all engaged.  

League games will be on Mondays and Wednesday at Twin Brook fields (Tuttle Road) from 5:30 – 7:00 pm once we get outdoors.  PARENTS – please be prepared to stay, watch and cheer on you players for League games.  Would you drop your kid off for a Little League baseball game and not stay and watch?!?!?!?!
 
Games / Scrimmages:   We also plan to play schools from other towns.  “Friday Night Lights” will be back!!!   Last season, we had a number of games under the lights on Friday nights and it proved to be very popular.   Games will be on select Friday nights (but not all Fridays).   It sounds like there are a number of new middle school teams forming so I’m expecting there will be 6 - 8 other local teams this year!!  We have at least 3 tournaments scheduled this spring including Amherst, MA on 5/22.   Last year we brought a full co-ed team down to Amherst and had a blast!!

Because of our LARGE numbers, the players who are invited to participate in town games will vary from week to week depending upon a host of factors.  Some games will be open to all players - some games may be limited to all 5th and 6th graders and some to just 7th and 8th graders.  A lot will depend upon the make-up of our opponents team (big, small, young, old, experienced, inexperienced, field space, etc.).  All players will be invited to play in the Cumberland Invitational allowing everyone the opportunity to play in a least 1 tournament.  We will do our best to make sure that everyone who wants to play against other schools will have the chance.
 
Communication:  Communication can be a challenge with kids in grades 5 – 8 who have a wide range of communication devices available (or not available) to them.  We plan to communicate practice and game information via an App called TEAMSNAP.com this year.  More details to follow.  
 
In addition, the CU Web Site will be a good place to get up to date information www.cumberlandultimate.com .   It has a Middle School section that will include an up to minute calendar/schedule, instructional videos and all the information you will need to sign up and play.  I can always be reached at my cell (207-712-7181).

Parent and Player Middle School Ultimate information meeting:  April 7th, 2016 from 6 – 7 pm at the Cumberland town office (Council Chambers).
 
Parents:   It takes a village… and I need help!!!  Work has me traveling quite a bit this spring so I am looking for volunteers to help me manage the team.  Parents are encouraged to come and participate in all aspects of the team!!!   I am also looking for assistant coaches – NO PRIOR Frisbee experience or knowledge required!!!!

Have your kid tell their friends and encourage them to try out Ultimate!!!  ALL Boys/Girls in grades 5 - 8 are welcome!!!!!  We are especially trying to recruit GIRLS with the hope of fielding an all-girls team for some games.