The FOBISIA Primary Games 2018

From 27th-31st May 2018, this huge annual sporting event witnessed 6 British international schools across Asia competing in 4 tournaments over three days, on the island of Phuket in Thailand. 240 children from Years 5 & 6 competed against each other in Athletics, Swimming, Teeball, and Football. Our BIS HCMC children had trained for nearly 5 months in preparation for this event, creating a prepared and determined team of athletes. Let's find out how they got on...

Day 1: Despite a slow start in the pool, our team’s efforts saw us gradually start to medal and finish consistently in the top 3 finishes. In Athletics we dominated the field events in all areas, and our Year 6 girls proved the fastest on the sprints. With the truly amazing support of our staff at both the Athletics and Swimming pools, the first day proved to set the tone of a smooth, well organised event.

Day 2: Teeball was held at separate locations for the Year Groups, creating smaller crowds, but intensifying the drama of the game. There was excitement, disappointment, tension and jubilation as again all our Year Group teams placed in the top two positions.

Day 3: Football. With tired bodies and exhausted limbs, our athletes raised their game to perform in an outstanding display of teamwork and commitment from everyone. The Year 5 Girls went through the whole tournament unbeaten, Year 6 Girls equally matching the overall winners in their game, and the Year 6 Boys finishing a commendable second place.

Not that is was about the medals...but just try telling our children that! No.. these Games offer so much more for them; that through hard work, dedication, and commitment, they understand the value and benefits of training in preparation for competition; that these Games provide a learning experience in winning and losing, in sportsmanship, and the value of healthy competition; and with the remarkable guidance of our coaches, and the friendships and rivalries made, every child comes away from this experience stronger in so many ways.

And those medals? Well, they aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find metal called ‘guts’. Our BIS HCMC children have done us all proud. Sports do not create character, they reveal it. And those fortunate enough to witness these little athletes through the duration of this demanding tournament would have seen them stand another foot taller by the end of it.

Champions…every single one of them.

Results:

Swimming: 3rd Overall

Athletics: 2nd Overall

Teeball:

• Year 6 ‘A’: 2nd
• Year 6 ‘B’: 1st 
• Year 6 ‘C’: 2nd
• Year 6 ‘D’: 2nd

Football:                     

• Year 5 ‘G’: 1st

Swimming:

• Year 6 ‘B’: 2nd

And a whole bunch of the children beating their own personal best times, heights, and jumps!!!

Mr Simon Grimshaw, Primary Physical Education Leader