Week 3 - Early September 2017

The campus is buzzing with students, even at 6:30 in the morning when there are SAISA volleyball, SAISA swimming and ASIAC soccer practices going on.

Naturally, I caught all of the teams mid-conversation!  We have had an excellent turnout for many of these first season sports.

Friday the 1st of September at 4:00 there is a SAISA Volleyball game for both the boys and girls teams.  There will be games most Fridays for the next month.

Saturday the 2nd of September both the ASIAC soccer teams have games.  Girls play first at 9:30 and then the boys teams play.  Most Saturdays there will be ASIAC soccer games.

The pool schedule is now always available here.

Week 2 - Late August 2017

To help find relevant content I will usually color code my items...

Elementary

Middle

High

All

• ASAs have been scheduled so that parents do not need to be present between the end of school and the beginning of the ASA.  The pick up locations for the ASAs have been sent out, just meet your child there.
• The boys and girls ASIAC Soccer teams will have a home game against Abacus School on Saturday, September 2.  Boys will play the first matches at 9:30 and girls the next match at about 11:00.
• The High School Club & Activity Mela is on Tuesday the 29th of August.  The Mela is an opportunity for students to learn about the variety of clubs, activities, arts, and sports that students can be involved in through the year.  Students have this week planner and this annual planner to help them make decisions about their involvement.
• The website host we have used for four years for Activities and Athletics has been having difficulty.  We're working on migrating our content to the school's domain.  You can find some information on the Athletics & Activities link on the Community Life tab of the school's site.  Seasonal and more dynamic information will be posted on this blog weekly.
  
  

Week 1 - Welcome!

I would like to welcome new and returning students and their families to AISC!  I am the new Director of Athletics and Activities but spent the previous four years teaching high school PE here at AISC.

In addition to me being new, my administrative assistant is also new to the role.  Monicka Davi is also available to help students and families be active.

In the After School Activities office, Mrs. Sripriya and Mrs. Ramya continue to provide the organization of the activities for elementary and middle school students.  Their office is near the new Madras Cafe.  Just go past the cafe and turn left along the Madras Campus classrooms.  Their door is on the right, number 1524.

If you have questions or just want to meet, feel free to email me or stop in to the Athletics and Activities office, room 1304, which is between the iHub and the High School Commons.

I look forward to helping make the sports and other activities at AISC an important part of everyone's experience at our school.

The first activities happening this year are ASIAC Boys and Girls Soccer, SAISA Boys and Girls Volleyball, and SAISA Swimming.

We have an ASIAC soccer match planned for Friday, August 25th at 4:00.

SAISA Boys Volleyball

This year the SAISA Boys Volleyball team will be coached by Coach Luca and Coach Mac.  The final tournament is at the American School of Bombay.

Practice schedule:

• Monday 6:30-8:00 AM
• Tuesday 6:30-8:00 AM
• Thursday 6:30-8:00 AM
• Friday 3:45-5:45 PM

SAISA Girls Volleyball

2017 AISC Raptors joking around.  Front row from left to right Weronkia, Michelle, Seungyeon, Bhavia, Yeji
Back row left to right Celia, Sofia, Kavya, Vanessa, Serin.

Coaches Andrew Ranson and Ryan McFarland are coaching the girls team for the fourth year together.  This year the tournament will be October 26th-28th at Lincoln School in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Practice Schedule:
Mondays 4:00-6:00 PM
Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 PM
Thursdays 4:00-6:00 PM
Fridays 4:00-6:00 PM

Some Wednesday mornings will have optional serving practice.

Photos from a local game are here.

ASIAC Girls Soccer

The AISC ASIAC Girls Soccer team and Coach Suresh and Coach Monicka will travel to the American Embassy School in Delhi for the tournament happening October 6th and 7th.

Practice Schedule:

• Monday 6:30-8:00 AM
• Wednesday 6:30-8:00 AM
• Friday 6:30-8:00 AM

Part of the 206-2017 ASIAC Girls soccer team.

ASIAC Boys Soccer

ASIAC Soccer is open to middle school students.  Coaches Bill Hoffmann and Gareth Huxtable will be taking the two 10 person teams to the American Embassy School in Delhi for the season tournament which happens on October 6th and 7th.

Practice schedule:

• Monday 6:30-8:00
• Wednesday  6:30-8:00
• Friday  6:30-8:00

Games are generally planned for Saturday mornings.

SAISA Swimming

The SAISA swim team is open to swimmers from ages 10-19.  Competition is done in age groups of 10-12, 13 & 14, and 15-19.  Coaches Donna Fava, Velin Prabhu, James Dowling, and John Sandman will be providing opportunities for students to improve their stroke and compete in the annual SAISA swim meet, this year held in Muscat, Oman from October 26th through 28th.

Practice schedule:

• Monday 6:15-8:00 AM
• Tuesday  6:15-8:00 AM
• Thursday  6:15-8:00 AM
• Friday  6:15-8:00 AM
• Saturday time trials 1-3 PM

Athletes from the 2016-2017 SAISA season.

SAISA Boys Basketball

Season Start Date: February 19
Tournament Dates: April 19, 20, 21
Location: TAISM in Muscat, Oman
Coaches: Mark Condon & Matty McCarthy
Practice days and times:
Monday: 3:45-5:45
Tuesday: 3:45-5:45
Thursday: 3:45-5:45
Friday: 3:45-5:45 (Except February 23 and March 2nd which will have morning practices.)

Coach Roger Bodary

Coach Roger Bodary

Roger Bodary
From:  Petoskey Michigan, USA
Teaching experience:  17 years (13 years teaching international schools, 4 years in USA schools
Coaching experience: 11 years, which includes Tennis, basketball and soccer.

Coach Luca

Mr. Luca was born, raised and educated in Romania. He has a BA in Physical Education and Sports (2002). He coached volleyball in ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools) while in China. In India, he coached sports in both ASIAC and SAISA leagues in the past years. This academic year he will be teaching Middle School physical education and he will be coaching girls soccer and boys’ volleyball Middle School teams.

Sobha Daniel

Sobha is a lifelong athlete and has played competitive volleyball through high school. Some of Sobha's favorite sports are Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer. Currently, Sobha teaches Elementary Schools Physical Education and centers her classes around joy, courage and community. She is really looking forward to having a fantastic season in MS Girls Volleyball this year. Go Raptors!

Tomas Borohquez

I have always had a passion for sports. In my youth I participates in any and every after school sport or club activity I could; Soccer, Swimming, Martial Arts, Track, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, etc. Born and raised in Venezuela, as I grew older my focus was directed towards the most popular sport, soccer. I briefly played semi-professionally and achieved my lifelong goal to play soccer at my highest potential. After that I decided to continue my career sports by coaching. I have coached Soccer for the past 10 years at all levels. My goal is to give athletes a passion for the game and the skills needed to reach their highest potential.

SAISA Boys Soccer

Mr. Tomas Bohorquez and Mr. Jack Bissonnette are coaching the SAISA Boys Soccer team this year.  The season will conclude with the SAISA tournament is hosted by Lincoln School on February 8, 9, and 10 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Practices are on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays after school.

Here and here are photo galleries from recent home games.

 

Coach Sobha

Coach Sobha

Sobha is a lifelong athlete and has played competitive volleyball through high school. Some of Sobha's favorite sports are Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer. Currently, Sobha teaches Elementary Schools Physical Education and centers her classes around joy, courage and community. She is really looking forward to having a fantastic season in MS Girls Volleyball this year. Go Raptors!

Coach Tommy

I have always had a passion for Soccer. I have a life time of experience playing on school and club teams as well as semi-professionally.  I have coached Soccer for over 10 years at all levels. My goal as a coach is to give my athletes a passion for the game and the skills they need to reach their highest potential.

Coach Ryan McFarland

Ryan McFarland (L) and Ron (R).

Coach McFarland is beginning his fifth year at AISC.  He has taught PE for six years including four years of high school PE at AISC and two years of middle school and high school at an international school in Mongolia.  Prior to that, he lived and worked in Alaska for 15 years where he managed community recreation and sport facilities and programs.  He has coached volleyball, track & field, and soccer for a variety of age groups.  In his youth he dabbled in soccer, tennis, and dance.  In college he played ultimate and was on his college timbersports team.  

Coach Jack Bissonnette

Coach Jack

Coach Jack has been coaching at AISC since 2017-2018 (1 year). He coaches SAISA Soccer and Track and Field. Prior to that, he coached soccer and basketball in Kuwait for two years. Before that, he coached American football at the DII collegiate level, where he gained love for knowledge within the field of endurance and physical training. While growing up, Coach Jack played basketball, soccer, baseball, ran track, and went on to focus on American football in his final years of high school and throughout college. He continues to keep active by snowboarding, golfing, surfing, playing soccer, running, lifting weights, and hiking on occasion.

Coach Andrew Ranson

Andrew Ranson grew up playing indoor and beach volleyball in Southern California and has been coaching since he was 17. He coached boys and girls at the middle school, high school and the club level in California and Maryland before moving to Chennai. His accomplishments as a coach include inspiring dozens of first-time players to love the game, starting a girls volleyball program at his former school, winning a county-wide championship in California and winning a state-wide championship in Maryland. 

Coach Justin Carlson

Coach Justin Carlson

Justin Carlson is in his 3rd year at AISC where he teaches grade 8 science.  In his teaching career he has spent time coaching middle and high school boys and girls basketball.  He is excited about the role of this new coaching endeavor.  Coach Carlson played tennis in high school and has continued playing for fun throughout his life.  He also enjoys ultimate frisbee, baseball, and running.

Coach Suresh

Coach Suresh

Subramanian Kulothungan (Suresh) has played rugby for 15 years as a National Team Player and has coached the Chennai Irish rugby football club team for the past six years. Last year, he was the assistant coach for the ASIAC middle school boys’ soccer team; they finished in 2nd place. In addition, he was also the assistant coach for ASIAC middle school boys’ volleyball team when they finished in 1st place. He and coach Martin led  the ASIAC team to a 1st place finish in ASIAC tournament in 2015 - 2016 and a  3rd place finish in 2016 - 2017 tournament. 

Coach Shez Billett

Shez Billett has been a coach, teacher and outdoor guide for the past 7 years. She has a particular interest in Rock climbing, surfing and yoga. She has previous experience coaching soccer, badminton and cross country running in the past in Australia and in Myanmar. She also enjoys coaching and participating in Adventure races. Shez has competed in Gaelic Football at international level from 2013-2015. She also regularly participates in Ultimate frisbee.

Coach Matty McCarthy

Coach Matty McCarthy

I played basketball for a year at the collegiate level while attending Willamette University and spent my childhood competing for both the schools I attended and local "travel teams". Once my playing career ended, I immediately transitioned into coaching at the young age of 19. I now have two years of experience as an assistant varsity basketball coach in America and have provided countless individual improvement workouts for players of all levels. Looking back, through my passion for and dedication to the game of basketball I gained life-changing skills and lessons in regards to leadership, commitment, work ethic, and collaboration. Additionally, I developed lifelong relationships with my teammates and coaches that I absolutely cherish. Consequently, as I coach i seek to use the game as a platform for both developing relationships with others and personal development. 

Coach Mike Simmons

Coach Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons is in his first year at AISC and coaching the Girls ASIAC Basketball Team. Mike teaches 7th grade social studies and welcomes the opportunity to be involved with athletics. Mike has nine years of experience, coaching both girls and boys basketball on the middle school and high school levels in the USA, Lebanon, and Qatar.

Coach Serge

Serge hails from France. He is teaching languages (French and Spanish) in the High School. He has been with AISC since 2004 and is a meditation practitioner.

As for sports, he has done a lot of running and ping-pong for fun as a student. He hopes to share a sense of discipline, motivation and self-esteem with his young table tennis players.

Coach Bill Hoffmann

Bill Hoffmann

Bill Hoffmann is in his fifth year at AISC and his fourth year of coaching the Boys ASIAC Soccer Team. Bill teaches 7th grade science and welcomes the opportunity to continue with the Athletics program in this role. Having played soccer at the high school and college level and having previously coached at the Middle and High School levels, he appreciates learning and growing with the program at AISC.

2017 SAISA Boys Soccer

Coach Tommy and Coach Jack have boys soccer practice on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday after school from 3:45-5:45.

The season-end tournament is February 8-10 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Coach James Dowling

James Dowling

James Dowling has been a PE teacher for 24 years, formerly in Australia and then for the last 15 in International Schools in 5 different countries. He has a particular interest in strength and conditioning development, especially for children using a movement-centered, functional fitness approach. He enjoys the sport of Rugby and has recently represented Switzerland in Touch Rugby.

James will be coaching SAISA and ASIAC swimming in 2017-2018.

Coach Pepper McFarland

Coach Pepper McFarland

Pepper McFarland teaches high school English and Social Studies at AISC. She has a total of 15 years of coaching experience in a variety of sports, both overseas and in America. Track and Field has been her passion since junior high school. She has coached and competed in the jumps, relays, and mid-distance for many years. As a coach, she has multiple Arizona state Track and Field AA Championships under her belt, as well as having worked with Arizona State record holders in distance, relays, and throws. She has extensive training and experience in the high jump, and has worked alongside collegiate long and triple jump coaches in Washington State. She also enjoys playing and coaching volleyball. Pepper has coached middle school girls' volleyball and now high school. She looks forward to sharing her passion with AISC’s young athletes.

Coach Donna Fava

Now entering my fifth year as the Aquatics Director at AISC, and third year as the Head Coach of the SAISA Swim team, I am more excited as ever for the season to begin. Along with my assistant coaches, I am looking forward to helping each swimmer achieve numerous personal bests throughout the season. Being on a team is not only about competition. The Four C's of the AISC Mission Statement - Courage, Confidence, Creativity and Compassion - will be emphasized throughout the season and will guide each and every practice. Swimmers will have the opportunity to not only grow, athletically, but will be challenged to inspire one another to become leaders, encouragers and demonstrators of bravery and compassion. My expectation is that each swimmer will come to practice with the intention of being the best that they can be on that day and time. Having a growth mindset will allow them to not always look beyond the horizon, but also to focus on the present, knowing that they have it within themselves to focus on the here and now to reach the daily, along with long term goals for the future. Success or failure is not achieved based on the results of one race or meet, but on the effort that is given to each practice and race. If the SAISA 2017-18 Swim Team members learn that this year, it will bring each and every one of them personal success that will culminate as team success.  I am looking forward to one of the best seasons yet!

Coach Velin Prabhu

Velin Prabhu is the Aquatics teachers assistant at AISC, and is commonly addressed as Coach Velin or Mr. Velin. He is from Mumbai, India and loves to teach students. Velin joined AISC in 2015, before his wife, Sheetal Prabhu, joining in 2016. Before AISC, Velin was working at the American International School Bombay (ASB) for 8 years. Since childhood, swimming has always been his passion and has been learning swimming since he was an elementary student. Velin doesn’t only like to swim but likes to participate in all kinds of sports too, specifically soccer. He enjoys working here at AISC because of the lovely environment and community that surrounds him. He believes the best thing about his job is being a part of student progress and growth with the aquatic skills he teaches. His most memorable moment being at AISC was training the swim team in May 2017 and placing 1st at the swim meet in Stone Hill International School, Bangalore. Mr. Velin wishes that if he had any superpower, he would like to change the world by conserving earths’ nature and restoring mother earth.