Kicking off the Season: ISP Football teams in Vienna

Written by Max and Tobi, Grade 10, as part of the MYP Journalism Elective, led by Mr. Josefino Rivera.

As part of our ongoing Student Journalism series, aspiring writers in the MYP Journalism Elective bring you a detailed account of the ISP football teams' experience in the Austrian capital. Their coverage highlights the challenges and excitement of the teams' first games of the season.

As the International School of Prague starts up its first season of sports, Upper School Boys and Girls football teams travelled to the American International School of Vienna on the 13th of September for a weekend of friendly games in preparation for the upcoming SCIS tournament. 

 

Coach Anthony Hennelly the ISP Director of Athletics and Activities and Boys Varsity Head Coach shared his initial thoughts about the teams travelling to Vienna. “In a short space of time, the teams quickly came together,” he said.  

As Coach Hennelly explained, he emphasised the importance of unity in this group, as they have little time together, yet they have become accustomed to each other and their playing styles. “Playing Vienna is a good marker for us,” said Hennelly. He elaborated by explaining that the American International School of Vienna is similar to ISP, as they have about the same number of students and are teaching the same curriculum.  

Coach Hennelly and his team weren’t the only ones to feel a positive atmosphere, as Coach Raina, the Girl's Varsity football coach, also spoke about her team and the upcoming exchange that they are facing. “We are ready. Whatever we experience, we will give it our best shot,” said Coach Raina, highlighting the discipline and determination of all the players on the team, and explaining how hard each of them worked every single practice.

“No one has been complaining; they are just pushing through."

Coach Raina Smith

Finally, on September, Friday the 13th, the Boys’ and Girls’ Football teams travelled to Vienna and played their football matches. While the Junior Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls lost their games, the Varsity Boys were able to draw with Vienna’s team. The games were meant to be played both on Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th, however, only the matches on Friday were played, due to extreme weather issues on the fields.

After the exchange weekend, the Vice Captain of the JV Boys football team, Charlie, Grade 10, expressed his excitement and his team's accomplishments, despite the loss. “It was a hard game, yet it is something that our team can learn from and make sure we improve from our mistakes.” 

Later on, the Boys Varsity Captain, Santiago, Grade 12, shared similar thoughts on his team's game.

“Even though our team did not achieve the outcome we were looking for, the entire team played well together, and I believe that this game goes a long way to our SCIS tournament.”

Santiago, Boys Varsity Captain, Grade 12

Looking past the results of these games, the Vienna exchange was a significant learning experience for all the football teams. As they now prepare for their final SCIS tournament in November, this practice will be an experience that prepares them for what is to come. "It wasn't about the score, it was about the growth, both as players and as a team," said Santiago.