From CHS Ultimate Frisbee:
There’s a lot happening on the Ultimate fields in Maplewood and South Orange this fall.
As the new school year begins, CHS Ultimate Frisbee is getting ready for another season of competition, learning and, most importantly, fun. With programs for elementary, middle and high school players, there are opportunities for everyone no matter age:from kids picking up a disc for the first time to experienced players competing at the highest levels.
Players say there’s something pretty special about playing Ultimate here. Columbia High School is the birthplace of Ultimate, and generations of Maplewood and South Orange players have grown up with the sport as part of the community.
CHS Ultimate won the 2026 NJ State Championship. (Photo by Alex Nasberg-Abrams)
Last spring, that history came to life in a particularly memorable way. The CHS Open Varsity team won the New Jersey State Championship, defeating Westfield 13–12 at Underhill Sports Complex. The game came down to the very last point, and when Columbia scored, the home crowd erupted. The stands and sidelines were filled with families, friends, alumni and supporters, and the noise was thunderous. It was the kind of hometown sports moment that players and the community won’t soon forget. (Check out the team’s season highlight reel here).
Now, a new season is about to begin and you have an opportunity to be a part of the magic.
High School Ultimate: From Development to the Nationals
For high school players ready for competitive Ultimate, the CHS Ultimate High School Programs offers multiple levels of play.
Salem, OR: Columbia Boys team photo from 2026 High School National Invite hosted by CUT Camp and UltiWorld on June 12, 2026. (Photo credit: ©2026 Rodney Chen for UltiPhotos.com)
The Open (boys) Varsity program has consistently been one of the strongest in New Jersey and is currently ranked 8th in the nation. The Open JV team has also established itself among the top five teams in New Jersey, regularly competing against other varsity programs.
For players who are developing their skills and working toward a higher level of competition, the Open 68s provide a developmental team focused on building the skills and experience needed to take the next step.
Sparkle Motion won the NJ State Championships from 2022 to 2026. (Photo courtesy of Columbia Ultimate.)
CHS Ultimate also offers Sparkle Motion, a competitive program for high school girls and non-binary players. Sparkle has become one of the premier programs in New Jersey, winning the New Jersey State Championship five consecutive years, from 2022 through 2026. (Check out last season’s highlight reel here)
For players interested in joining Sparkle Motion but aren’t sure where they fit, the program welcomes questions. Email: [email protected], or connect with @chssparklemotion on Instagram.
Lillian Pankow goes for a catch. (Photo by Dale Hannon)
Middle School: Find Your Way Into the Game
Middle school players have several options this fall, depending on their experience and what they’re looking for.
For girls and non-binary players in grades 6–8, GLITTER is a free learn-to-play program designed to introduce players to Ultimate and build skills in a welcoming environment. Players of all experience levels are encouraged to join. GLITTER meets Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Park along side Sparkle Motion team, beginning September 9 and continuing through November 4.
Players in grades 6–8 who are looking for a more competitive experience can join the Cougars Travel Team. The team welcomes players of all genders and gender identities and competes in tournaments throughout New Jersey, with the possibility of traveling farther during the season. The Cougars have won three consecutive New Jersey State Championships.
The team practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at Maplecrest Park. The program is designed for players who want to compete and improve, while welcoming a broad range of skill levels.
And for middle schoolers who have never played before, there’s Hometown Ultimate Frisbee League offered by Maplewood’s Department of Recreation.
Hometown is a co-ed intramural program for grades 6–8 where players can learn the game from the ground up. No experience is needed. Many Hometown players arrive having never played Ultimate—or even thrown a frisbee.
The league introduces players to the fundamentals of Ultimate and gradually builds toward more advanced strategies, while emphasizing teamwork, sportsmanship, mutual respect and the Spirit of the Game. Hometown meets Sundays from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m. at Maplecrest Park from September 13 through November 1.
A Place to Play, Learn and Belong
Ultimate can look very different depending on where you are in your journey. For some players, it starts with learning how to throw a disc. For others, it becomes a competitive pursuit that leads to state championships and national tournaments. And for many, it becomes something even more lasting: a community.
That’s what CHS Ultimate hopes to offer this fall. A place to learn. A place to compete. A place to make friends. And a place to be part of the long tradition of Ultimate in Maplewood and South Orange.
Whether you’re brand new to the sport or ready to chase another championship, there’s a place for you on the field.
Fall 2026 registration is now open. To learn more about CHS Ultimate’s programs and find the right fit, visit chsultimate.org.
