Frequently Asked Questions

• Playoff participants must be a registered HUC member in good standing.
• Be added to the team roster no later than the league roster deadline
  • Summer League – 2 weeks prior to the start of playoffs
  • All Other Leagues – 1 week prior to start of playoffs
  • In the absence of a defined roster deadline (ie. indoor leagues) the player
    must be added no later than one week prior to playoffs beginning
• Play a league minimum amount of regular season games as follows:
  Games in a season Number of required regular season games attended
  • 11-15 – 3 games minimum
  • 7-10 – 2 games minimum
  • 2-6 – 1 game minimum
• Participants may not participate on more than 1 team in the playoffs for the same
  league, they may only participate on 1 playoff team as a regular player, or as a
  qualified substitute who is not already participating in the playoffs for the same
  league. This includes multiple divisions in the same league.

HUC will routinely check rosters during the season and playoffs. If there is a discrepancy
we urge teams to report it immediately to our league convenors. If rosters are invalid,
teams can be sanctioned.

There are a few reasons a game may be cancelled or not take place as scheduled.

Game Default If a team cannot field enough players, the team captain should make every effort to find substitutes and notify both the league convenor and the opposing team captain as early as possible. The goal is always to make the game happen. If a default is unavoidable, the league may apply sanctions, including a loss of bond for the defaulting team.

Weather Games may be cancelled due to lightning, thunder, extreme heat, or poor air quality. If lightning or thunder occurs, all players must take shelter in a permanent structure or vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before returning to play. Read more

Field Conditions In some cases, the city or facility may close a field due to poor conditions. If this happens, the league convenor will notify all affected players as quickly as possible. Read more

About HUC’s Discretionary Fund and Financial Assistance

HUC is committed to supporting our membership to ensure the possibility of participation in ultimate in Hamilton. HUC maintains a Discretionary Fund with money donated by the membership and other parties. 

Eligibility

Anyone from the Hamilton Ultimate Club community is eligible and may apply for financial assistance. The Discretionary funds will only be available to players if there is money available in the fund. This is dependent on the support provided by HUC members and individual donors. Thank you for your understanding.

Application

An applicant is required to complete the Discretionary Fund Application. The application serves as a way to begin a conversation. HUC understands that each individual’s situation is unique and we are committed to working with our membership to try to find a mutually-agreeable solution. 

Please note that any personal information collected by HUC will remain private and confidential. Your information will not be shared outside the Board of Directors.

Discretionary Form

Ultimate uses a standardized set of hand signals to keep everyone on the same page during play. These signals cover everything from fouls and violations to goals, turnovers, and timeouts, and are used by players on the field to communicate calls clearly and quickly. Because ultimate is played around the world, hand signals also help bridge language barriers when players from different backgrounds are competing together. Familiarizing yourself with these signals is an important part of understanding the game.

For the full guide to WFDF hand signals, see the document here.

It’s a system for on-field matchups on defence that separates from a player’s private gender identity, allowing anyone to choose to match up as “Open-Matching” (playing against a man or woman) or “Women-Matching” (playing against a woman) to create balanced mixed-gender teams and games. We use women and men which refers to gender, instead of male and female, which refers to sex.

HUC members are able to choose how they participate based on their gender identity at that time, regardless of sex characteristics or where they may be in any transition between genders. We trust and will rely on Spirit of the Game to avoid any abuse of this approach by a player merely to gain a competitive advantage on the field.

The Hamilton Ultimate Club ensures partnerships will benefit the organization and it’s members, and align with our core values.

If you believe your organization coulld benefit our members, please reach out!

Please send us an e-mail at president@hamiltonultimate.com.

Hamilton Ultimate Club recognizes the value of competitive touring to the game of ultimate. Touring players represent a skill and knowledge base that can be used to develop ultimate in the Hamilton and surrounding areas.

HUC’s first priority is to its membership, and HUC values competitive touring players as a part of the larger membership. We aim to establish a balance between the needs of our recreational members and those of touring players.

HUC’s contribution to any touring team will be reviewed yearly by the BOD based on the written proposal of the touring team.

For full information on getting sponsorship, please review the Touring Team Sponsorship Policy, and complete the proposal.

The Hamilton Ultimate Club is run by volunteers. Our volunteers work hard to create a community that is inclusive, fun, and competitive.

Our current open roles:

Social Media Liaison

Events Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

Volunteering with Hamilton Ultimate Club comes with some perks, too;
– Waived membership fees for HUC positions with one- to two-year terms
– Volunteer hours for OSSD requirements
– Letter of recommendation upon request
– Experience working in a professional organization
– Meet new people, expand your perspective and experiences
– Try out a role or working experience you never have before
– Give back to the ultimate community

Game Default (Not enough players)

• If a team cannot field enough eligible players by the scheduled start time, the game may be declared a default and cancelled.
• Teams typically have a grace period (e.g., 15–30 minutes past start time) to assemble a full roster.
• If the minimum number of required players (including any gender requirements) is not met, the game is cancelled and scored as a default.

Lightning & Thunder

• Play must be suspended immediately if lightning is seen or thunder is heard — player safety is the priority.
• All participants must take shelter and games cannot resume until at least 30 minutes after the last sighting/hearing of lightning/thunder.
• If safe play cannot resume in a reasonable time, the game may be cancelled.

Extreme Heat

• In very hot conditions (e.g., extreme heat index), leagues may delay, modify, or cancel games to prevent heat-related illness.
• Decisions consider player safety and may include additional breaks, shortened games, or cancellations.

Field Conditions

• If fields are unplayable — like standing water, muddy surfaces, or unsafe turf — games may be cancelled to protect players and prevent long-term damage to the field.
• Field preservation is a priority because heavy play on damaged surfaces can lead to injuries and future closures.

See the full list of reasons why a game might be cancelled

See our heat policy

We abide by the most current USAU rules (as of 2026: 2026-2027) with the exception of the Dangerous Play Rules which we use the most recent WFDF Rule (as of 2026: 2025-2028). It is expected that all HUC members review and abide by these rules.

Concussions are very serious injuries. Ontario made it mandatory in 2018 for sport organizations to follow Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety).

Learn more about our concussion policy.

It is expected that all HUC members review and abide by the full Concussion Policy.

HUC welcomes and encourages participation of all people in our sport. HUC values the contributions and perspectives that a truly diverse community provides our sport and its culture. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to the integrity of our sport, and HUC is committed to helping those that may feel uncomfortable, feel more at ease in our community.

We recognize that players who have not experienced these feelings of inequity may find these improved equity and inclusivity targets difficult or uncomfortable at first, however the benefits to those groups who have been previously overlooked will make the efforts of our community worthwhile.

It is expected that all HUC members review and abide by the full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy.

Want to get involved? Email memberatlarge@hamiltonultimate.com to get started

Refund requests should be directed to the General Manager.

Refunds are granted under the following conditions:
-If a member (individual registration) decides to quit after playing (active on a roster) less than 25% of their games, a refund will be pro-rated and granted only if a replacement player can be found, less a 10% administration fee or minimum $5.00 administration fee.
-If a team (team registration) decides to quit before the season begins a refund will be granted, less a 10% administration fee or minimum $5.00 administration fee, provided that the cancellation occurs more than 10 business days prior to the start date of the associated league. Team refunds will not be issued beyond this time.

It is expected that all HUC members review and abide by the full Refund Policy.