 |
| WAB Varsity Girls Soccer Team |
WAB Varsity Boys Champion ACAMIS Soccer Tournament
Last weekend, WAB hosted its largest ACAMIS sporting event ever, with 144 high school students competing for the ACAMIS Division 1 Soccer Championships. Many thanks to all of the families that helped make this event a success, especially those who supported the tournament by hosting the 120 athletes visiting from out of town.
WABX Coordinator Martin Halpin said, “I would like to thank everyone, and their respective teams, for contributing to the success of the ACAMIS Soccer Tournament. This event was a real team effort.”
"This was the largest tournament of its kind we've hosted here at WAB," said Rena Mirkin, HS Principal, "and it went extremely well. This is an attribute to the entire WABX team, parents and those families who hosted our guests."
Congratulations to WAB's Varsity Boy, who claimed the championship title alongside the Varisty Girls from CISS. Individual skills awards went to a boy and girl from SAS and WAB's own HS player Matt (WAB).
The sportsmanship and Olympic Spirit shared at the three-day event continued once students returned home, as highlighted in a message form Patrick Frerking, HS Assistant Principal / Athletic Director of the Concordia International School of Shanghai. He told Martin: “Concordia is abuzz with great looking tournament t-shirts, programs and trophies. More importantly though are the positive and enthusiastic comments from players, coaches and parents for a fun and well organized tournament. Congratulations to those responsible for organizing and running the event - and most importantly for the many hours dedicated to the event.”
Scott Fitzgerald, Athletic Director of the International School of Tianjin, echoed Patrick's sentiments: "Congratulations to you and WAB for the successful staging of this large event. As a veteran of many ACAMIS tournaments over the past few years, it is great to be able to bring the IST student athletes to a tournament that is well organized and executed, and full of the positive energy that makes these events so special for all involved. Thanks for your work for all involved with ACAMIS."
Participating schools from around China included:
* American International School of Guangzhou
* Australian International School Hong Kong
* Concordia International School Shanghai
* International School of Tianjin
* Shanghai American School
* Western Academy of Beijing
"WAB's Varsity Boys and Girls teams would like to thank all those who came out to cheer them on through out the tournament," said Coach Farrol. "Thank you for a great season."
PTA Vice President Sue Grant added, "A cheering section really makes a different in the players. The PTA encourages parents, and students, to get out there and cheer on their teams, throughout the season."
The three-day ACAMIS event was also highlighted by a Unified Sports Match and Friendship Game with Special Olympics athletes from the Shunyi Special School.
Many thanks to everyone involved in making this sporting event a success, including Capri Sun, Nike and the Lido Hotel.
Report from Coach Andy Nightingale...
'We can win this!' was the cry from the Varsity boys soccer team on
day one of the ACAMIS tournament. As hosts to the event, the pressure
was certainly on the home teams to produce their best form and
ultimately a qualification for the finals. WAB varsity boys started off
brightly enough with a win over a young but competitive SAS side. It
wasn't until lunchtime on the second day when the confidence of the
boys evaporated into signs of resignation and defeat. Two losses in
front of a large and expectant crowd seemed to all but knock the boys
out of the competition. However, an important win at the end of the day
against HKIS gave the boys something to ponder for the final day.
A win or draw in the final pool match meant qualification for the semi
finals. A loss and it would all be over for another year, except for a
5th/6th play-off for the 'wooden spoon' award.
A 3-1 win in WAB's favour against last year's champions AISG set up a
repeat of the semi-final from 2007 and a match up with WAB's nemesis,
IST. The boys ensured penalties would not be on the agenda this time
with a comfortable 3-1 win and a place in the history books as the
first WAB Varsity boys team to reach a tournament final.
Confidence started to flow through the team in the final and WAB went
2-0 in front with 10 minutes remaining. Not even a late goal from SAS
could dampen the wild celebrations at the final whistle.
WAB Varsity Soccer: ACAMIS Division One Champions 2008.
Congratulations and well played boys and far too many great individual performances to mention!!