Elite Coaching Takes Flight with Ultimate Frisbee Star Jonathan Keyes
On Tuesday 29 July, selected students from our Year 8/9 Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne (EISM) Ultimate Frisbee teams took part in a unique and energising opportunity: a two-hour coaching clinic and presentation from Australian representative Jonathan Keyes.
Jonathan, a standout in the world of Ultimate Frisbee, brought more than elite-level expertise. He brought stories, strategy and skills honed on the national and international stage. For our students, it was a chance to step into the mindset of a high-performing athlete and discover just how much is possible when passion meets purpose.
Across the afternoon session, students immersed themselves in focused skill development, match insights and modified gameplay. For many, this was their first brush with an Australian athlete of this calibre and they embraced it wholeheartedly.
Senior Head of Sport Strategy, Programs and Pathways, Nathan Bower, was thrilled by what he saw.
“I knew we had some committed students who have loved their involvement within the current EISM season, so it was no surprise to see the level of engagement and willingness to learn from this group of students,” Mr Bower said.
“Watching them absorb and apply Jonathan’s advice so quickly was a real highlight. They walked off the field better athletes, and even better learners.”
Access to elite talent like Jonathan reflects a broader truth about life at TKS: we do things differently. We believe that learning from people who perform at a high level, whether in sport, arts or innovation, helps students think bigger, aim higher and step confidently into unfamiliar territory.
That’s exactly why we champion sports like Ultimate Frisbee.
Still growing in popularity across Australia, Ultimate Frisbee blends the speed of soccer, the strategy of netball and the flow of basketball. It’s fast-paced, non-contact and uniquely team-oriented, played without referees, with players responsible for their own sportsmanship.
It’s also deeply inclusive. Strength, skill, agility and quick-thinking matter more than size or status, making it ideal for students of all abilities and backgrounds.
Introducing our students to new sporting codes like Ultimate means they’re not just playing, they’re learning to embrace the unfamiliar, to collaborate in fresh ways, and to discover hidden talents that might not surface on a traditional field or court.
With the EISM Year 8/9 season wrapping up in Week 3 of Term 2, both the Boys and Girls teams are now chasing Semi-Final spots, armed with new skills, sharper focus and a deeper love for the game.
We’re proud of their growth and grateful for mentors like Jonathan Keyes, who remind us all of what’s possible when courage and curiosity collide.
