The Ultimate experience

Leaping through the air to chase down a frisbee while listening to the teachings of coach Joanna Quarry and junior team coach Taryn Haggerstone is just part of the routine for the group of IPS students.Happy to be out with their friends, these students work hard while practicing drills and enjoying every minute of it. Ultimate is a physically demanding sport, yet it can be played at many different levels, starting from beginners to professional."There is a great deal of running involved but also the fine-tuning of skills such as throwing, cutting, defending and marking. Ultimate combines elements of many other sports. If you have played other team sports, this could help you with field positioning, jumping, moving to open space and defending," says Joanna Quarry. Quarry is no stranger to Ultimate. In 2008, she was inducted in the Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association's Hall of Fame for the Ultimate community in Ottawa and the National Capital region. Haggerstone, an IPS alumni, graduated in 2005 and has returned to her roots to help coaching. Ultimate originated in the '60s and promotesnot only physical exercise but instills decision making, game play and respect for others. "The main reason that IPS picked Ultimate is that 'spirit of the game' is a core element. Spirit of the game requires that players play with class, and that they recognize and celebrate the achievements of others, even those on the opposite team. This aligns completely with the core values of the school. This is the way team sports should be played." states Dr. Ted Spear, founder of Island Pacific school.

This year, IPS had three teams participate in a tournament just outside Seattle called Spring Reign with approximately 60 IPS kids in total, ranging from Grades 6 to 9. While everyone played very well, the senior team placed third out of six this year. In the past, IPS has won the title "Spirit of the Game" at least five times, a prestigious award determined by the teams they play against. "We get feedback from alumni students who tell us how the values of the Ultimate field can, and are, transferred to how they conduct themselves as persons. Ultimate teaches a certain kind of integrity that many of our students carry with them as they make their way through life." states Dr. Spear.