Mike Grant

From the moment Mike picked up his first disc, it never left his hand. He fell in love with the sport of Ultimate Frisbee the summer after grade 11, and never looked back. After playing competitive soccer, basketball, football and baseball through most of his youth, discovering ultimate unearthed a passion in Mike that took his life by storm! Pestering his friends to throw his new toy with him everyday after school, Mike ignited his passion in others and started his school’s first ever ultimate team! In its first year of existence his team won the BC High School Championships, followed by a gold medal at the Canadian Junior Ultimate Championships. And he became even more hooked…

Mike joined the Vancouver men’s team Furious George in 1998 where he helped coach, captain, and organize the team to numerous successes until his retirement in 2008. He was a part of 3 UPA Championships and was fortunate enough to be selected to travel with the team to Fuji City, Japan to teach ultimate to high school players from across the country. Mike competed on the international level as a member of the Canadian National Team from 1998-2008, as well as the Canadian Masters Team (Nomads) in 2012. In his 14 years of representing Canada at the World Championships, he won gold medals in 1998 (Blaine, Minnesota), 2004 (Turku, Finland), 2008 (Vancouver, Canada), and 2012 (Osaka, Japan). Mike also represented Canada at the sport’s inaugural showing at the World Games in 2001 (Akita, Japan) – taking home the gold medal.

Throughout his playing career, Mike has coached and lead clinics in Vancouver, Italy and England. He’s coached the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, Saint George’s High School, and Vancouver College High School on numerous occasions. Coaching, teaching and mentoring will always be a part of Mike’s experience with ultimate and he is thrilled to share his teachings in the Middle East.

Since his retirement from the competitive scene in 2008, Mike has searched and struggled to find passion in life that parallels his experience with ultimate. His journey has led him to discover his desire to participate and give back to the larger community through involvement in organic farming, green building, the Ancient Forest Alliance and other volunteering experiences. The Ultimate Peace Project intrigued Mike greatly as a way to reconnect with the sport he fell in love with many years ago, and unite it with a life calling to share his gifts and give back the many lessons he’s learned along the way.