Bainbridge Island Ultimate (BIU) is a nonprofit sports group organized and run by volunteers, a board, and coaches who are dedicated to teaching and supporting Ultimate frisbee opportunities for current and future high school players. Ultimate is a gender inclusive, multiage, self-officiated sport, known for its unique “Spirit of the Game,” which focuses on sportspersonship and fair play. While competitive play is encouraged, it isn’t at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play. Ultimate teams receive “spirit scores” from opponents, and are rated on characteristics such as kindness, friendliness, fairness, positivity, respect, and enthusiasm. Games often conclude with a “spirit circle,” where teams give each other high-fives and shout-outs in a group setting. Bainbridge Island Ultimate fosters a sense of belonging, self-worth, cooperation, confidence, fun, and camaraderie. At BIU we work to keep this “spirit” alive and well!
Bainbridge Island Ultimate (BIU) began in 2005 with volunteer coaching at BHS, well before the organization was officially established. The initial coaching team was recruited during a local pickup game, and over time, coaching responsibilities were passed among various individuals, including contributions from talented college players. The Hyla program was already well-established, and the BHS/EHHS program catered to high school players eager to continue their involvement in the sport.
The team initially competed in the Seattle-based DiscNW league, which required traveling to Seattle for all games due to the lack of a home field. The competition began with a Mixed season from February to May before shifting to winter. Spring Reign was a significant event, known for its challenging weather conditions. Despite the difficulties in recruiting enough players, particularly FMPs, the program has grown substantially. Today, BIU boasts robust rosters, participates in multiple seasons, and even fields a JV team.
In June 2017, BIU’s Articles of Incorporation were drafted, and by September of that year, the organization achieved IRS 501(c)3 status, marking a major milestone in its development.
Coming Soon…
Through the years we have had an amazing cast of coaches. We are appreciative of their commitment to the sport and our players. We recognize that their work has helped to create a thriving Ultimate community on Bainbridge.
