A Promising Future for CDS Co-Ed Ultimate Frisbee Team
Sometimes starting up a new team can be a hard sell. You can never be sure if there will be enough student interest or whether you will be able to prepare a team quickly enough for league play. However, you don’t know until you try.
In spring 2019, Coaches Hannah Fransen and Andrew Watts were able to inspire 26 Country Day School students from Grades 9-12 to sign up for the newly established Co-ed Ultimate Team. Grade 12 students who had never played on a sports team before saw the fledgling team as a fresh opportunity to try something new. Their enthusiasm was exactly what CDS was looking for that first year. That first team did not only attract Grade 12s, but also an excited group of Grade 9s.
Fast forward through two years of cancelled spring sports to spring 2022 and those Grade 9s now form the backbone of the team. Tate Dallimore, Zack Downey, Jameson Dowling, Kieran Porter, and Russell Priestly all returned this year to lead the 2022 CDS Ultimate Team. They led by example, pushing themselves in warmups, practices, supporting teammates, and communicating on the field.
With the help of past players, and the addition of Coach Jasmine Ferdousi, the CDS 2022 Ultimate team was able to finish the season 3-1, which propelled them to the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) finals. All three CDS coaches have lengthy experience with Ultimate from competitive league play, to competing with Team Canada and playing on Toronto’s professional ultimate team, Toronto Rush. With their extensive experience and this team’s sheer charisma and determination, it was clear that they wanted to win. In their semi-final game against Lakefield College, CDS came out strong holding their own against the division leader only one point behind, 4-3, at half-time. Unfortunately, Lakefield’s experience was too much for CDS and they lost 11-6.
It is important to note that ‘Spirit of the Game’ is an essential part of Ultimate. Without referees, players are required to enforce the rules, keep everyone safe, and maintain fair play at all times. Coaches Ferdousi, Fransen, and Watts focused not only on player skill development, but on keeping Spirit of the Game a priority. It was clear last Friday that the students were disappointed over the loss. However, throughout the game they played with grit, composure, and the highest form of sportsmanship. Based on this year’s team, it is clear that CDS’s Ultimate future is very promising.
Photo Credit - Stan Behal
Photo Credit - Stan Behal
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
