By Marianne Poh
29 October 2024
The POL-ITE 2024 Ultimate Frisbee Competition brought together athletes from six schools, turning Nanyang Polytechnic’s field into a hub of skill, spirit, and fierce rivalry over the weekend of October 26 & 27. This annual event saw teams from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Temasek Polytechnic (TP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Republic Polytechnic (RP), and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) compete in a series of thrilling matchups.
This year’s competition had an exciting mix of players: some fresh faces who are just beginning their ultimate journey and others carrying experience from international stages like the World Junior Ultimate Championships (WJUC) in July. With newcomers bringing fresh energy and seasoned players demonstrating advanced tactics, this unique blend made for a highly competitive atmosphere, filled with unpredictable moments and hard-fought points. As teams battled it out for the top spot and a place in the upcoming Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) tournament, POL-ITE 2024 proved to be one of the most dynamic showcases of Ultimate Frisbee in recent years.
Day 1: Starting Strong
The first day of POL-ITE 2024 set an intense pace right from the opening match, bringing together fierce competitors and setting the stage for a highly contested weekend. The first game between Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) carried high stakes, as both teams were keen to improve on their podium placements from the previous year. As last year’s third- and second-place finishers, both teams sought to establish their standings early on. TP opened the game with two quick breaks, showing a strong conversion from defence to offence and maintaining this narrow lead throughout the game despite intense point trading. In a hard fought finish, TP managed to secure the win with a score of 9-7, marking a promising start to their season and hinting at their potential to rise from a bronze medal finish to a shot at silver this year.
As the day progressed, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), the defending champions, took the field with a dominant performance. Their first match against Republic Polytechnic (RP) ended in a decisive 9-3 victory. They continued to establish their championship intent with another win, this time against Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), defeating them with a score of 10-3. The final game of the day for NYP was a commanding 11-4 win over TP, further solidifying their position as the top contenders and highlighting the strength of their roster. NYP’s consistency and cohesion across these matchups were a testament to their preparation and experience, with players adept at maintaining momentum and adapting to their opponents’ strategies.
The final game on Day 1 saw RP go head-to-head with NP. Both teams fought hard to close the day with a victory, but only one could take the win. In the end, RP managed to edge out NP with a 5-2 win, securing a confidence boost heading into Day 2 and reinforcing their determination to stay competitive in the race to the top.
By the close of Day 1, the standings were starting to take shape. NYP’s unbeaten record placed them firmly in the lead, while TP’s wins against NP and ITE suggested that they were prepared to challenge for a spot near the top. With performances from experienced players and new talent stepping up under pressure, Day 1 of POL-ITE 2024 set a powerful tone for the tournament, as teams looked ahead to Day 2 with high expectations.
Day 2: Climactic Battles
As Day 2 of POL-ITE 2024 kicked off, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement. The morning began with Temasek Polytechnic (TP) facing Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) in a crucial match that would set the tone for the day. Both teams entered the game eager to build on their performances from Day 1, and the match began with two long and intense points. TP scored the first point, igniting their momentum, but NP was able to respond to tie the game. As the teams traded points, they reached a 2-2 stalemate, showcasing their defensive prowess and determination to secure the win. However, TP seized the opportunity to take control of the game, pulling ahead and ultimately securing a solid 7-2 win victory. This win reinforced TP’s position in the standings and boosted their confidence as they aimed for a higher placement in the podium.
The highlight of Day 2 came in the much-anticipated clash between Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and the defending champions Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP). The match began with NYP gaining an early lead, with everyone anticipating yet another dominating win for NYP. However, as the game progressed into the second half, SP found their rhythm and began to close the gap. The tension mounted as both teams fought fiercely for every point, culminating in a nail-biting moment when the score reached 6-6. Towards the end of the game, NYP managed to dig deep and pull ahead once more, ultimately clinching the win with a score of 8-6, maintaining their streak.
The stakes rose even higher as the match between RP and TP commenced. This game was critical, as its outcome would determine the final standings and potentially lead to a three-way tie for second place. If TP lost, SP, RP, and TP would all be tied for second, making goal differentials crucial for the final placements. Knowing the implications, both teams played with more intensity and focus. The game was competitive from the start, with each team showing how much they wanted the win. However, TP was able to leverage their momentum and outplay RP in critical moments, and they managed to clinch the victory. This result not only secured TP’s spot as the silver medalists but also ensured a clearer path for the standings heading into the tournament’s conclusion.
Reflections on Teamwork and Growth
As the teams took a well-deserved break after POL-ITE, we had the opportunity to gather reflections from a few players across the teams about their experiences this season.
Kevin Kay (#44) from Temasek Polytechnic shared his thoughts on the season, highlighting some of the challenges his team faced, particularly around consistency and chemistry. “This season, our biggest challenge was consistency and team chemistry – some days we were strong, other days things just didn’t click. Whether it was miscommunications or just a bad day for the players, it was tough. But we definitely saw improvement as the tournament progressed.”
Kevin, who is new to the POL-ITE experience, also reflected on his first competition. “My first POL-ITE was a great experience. Being part of this team has been amazing; the support and encouragement after every point helped me settle in, especially since it’s my first year playing Ultimate. I’m proud of how positive we stayed, and I hope future POL-ITE tournaments keep growing with that same energy.”
Skye Fong (#99) from Ngee Ann Polytechnic also shared his reflections on the season. “This season was challenging, especially with discipline and building a strong team culture,” he noted. “We had some tough moments, but we worked hard to improve. I’m really proud of how everyone pushed themselves and gave their best on the field.”
For Skye, this season was about growth, both for the newer players and the more experienced ones. “It was a significant learning experience for the newer players, and for those of us with more experience, it was an opportunity to guide them and help the team develop,” he explained. Looking to the future, Skye hopes the spirit of POL-ITE games will continue to grow, and that the Ultimate scene in Singapore will receive greater support, making it more accessible for players to represent the country with pride.
Tania Teo (#17) from Singapore Polytechnic also shared her perspectives of this year’s season, touching on her team’s internal dynamics. “This season was challenging for us, especially with many of us being away for the WJUC tournament and having limited time together as a full team,” shared Tania. “Team chemistry was a big hurdle, and many of our newer players didn’t have much experience from previous POL-ITE seasons. With seniors who could guide us having graduated, there was definitely pressure to fill that skill gap. But leading up to POL-ITE, we bonded and learned to tackle challenges together.”
Tania also shared what she hopes to see in Singapore’s Ultimate scene in the future. “With Ultimate being a mixed-gendered sport, we tend to play off the guys in our team a lot. I hope to see more dominant female players in Singapore’s Ultimate scene in the future.”
Final Standings
With Day 2 coming to a close, the excitement and tension of the tournament had reached a peak. The final standings were determined, revealing Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) as the undisputed champions, successfully defending their title with resilience throughout the tournament. Temasek Polytechnic (TP) clinched the silver medal after a commendable performance, while Singapore Polytechnic (SP) secured the bronze. Republic Polytechnic (RP) rounded out the top four, earning a spot in the upcoming Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) tournament in early 2025. The weekend highlighted not only the fierce rivalries among the schools but also the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by all participants, both seasoned players and newcomers alike, making the tournament an unforgettable chapter for all.
Continuing the Climb
As the excitement of POL-ITE 2024 winds down, all eyes turn to the future and the upcoming challenges that lie ahead for the participating schools. With every school aiming to build on their performances, refining their strategies and enhancing their skills to claim spots on the podium, competition will undoubtedly intensify in future seasons.
Looking ahead to the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) games in the near future, it will be an opportunity for schools to not only showcase their growth but also to challenge each other in new and exciting ways.
The Ultimate Players Association (Singapore) is the body responsible for the governance of flying disc sports in Singapore. These sports include Ultimate, Beach Ultimate and Disc Golf.
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