The ISSFHK: A Guide for Student-Athletes

What is the ISSFHK?
First, ISSFHK stands for The International Schools Sports Federation Hong Kong. It's the league that organizes competitive sports tournaments between international schools all across Hong Kong. So when we play games against other schools, it's all under the ISSFHK umbrella.

The Structure: Four Seasons & Age Categories

The key thing to understand is that the ISSFHK calendar is split into four separate seasons throughout the school year. Each season is dedicated to a different set of sports.

Think of the school year not as one long sports year, but as four shorter, focused seasons, back-to-back. See calendar below:

What are the age categories?
Within each sport are grouped into age categories (U12, U14, U16 and U20). This ensures that games are fair, competitive, and fun for everyone, from beginner to elite athletes. Our school might have teams in different divisions for different sports.

How will I know my category?

A: AGE CLASSIFICATION

a. Under 12: U12 will include any student registered on a full time basis who is under age 12 as of July 31 of the current academic year.

b. Under 14: U14 will include any student registered on a full time basis who is under age 14 as of July 31 of the current academic year.

c. Under 16: U16 will include any student registered on a full time basis who is under age 16 as of July 31 of the current academic year.

d. Under 20: U20 will include any student registered on a full time basis who is under age 20 as of July 31 of the current academic year.

How This Affects YOU: The Process 

Now, here’s how that structure affects what we do and the process we follow: 

1. Sign-Up and Tryout Period (The "Who's In?" Phase) 

• When? Before each specific season starts. e.g Registration for the Basketball season (Season 2) will open once we receive the official invitation and details from the ISSFHK. This typically occurs a few months before the season begins, after the previous season (Season 1) has been settled. We will announce the sign-up link as soon as we have all the information from the league organizers. We appreciate your patience and will notify everyone as soon as sign-ups are available. 

• Why? We need to know how many students are interested in that specific sport for the upcoming season. This determines how many teams we can enter into which ISSFHK divisions. No sign-up, no guarantee to play!

• What's next? Please be patient after you sign up. Only if we reach the required number of players will the team be officially opened for the season. Once the team is confirmed, you will receive the full details of the training and tournament schedule as soon as they are finalized.

2. The Active Season (The "Action!" Phase) 

• Once sign-ups close, we swing into action based on your numbers. 

• Training Schedule: We create a training schedule based on two things: 

  1. Coach Availability: Our coaches often work across multiple seasons and sports. 

  2. Venue Availability: We have to book courts, fields, and pools not just for us, but around the schedules of all the other teams and seasons. 

• ISSFHK Fixtures: We are then given our game schedule by the ISSFHK, where we'll compete against other schools in our division. This season of games and tournaments lasts for that fixed block of time (e.g., 8-10 weeks).

3. The Off-Season (The "Rest & Reset" Phase) 

• What happens? As soon as the ISSFHK tournament for that sport ends, the season is officially over. That sport then enters the "Off-Season."

• What does OFF-SEASON mean? 

  • No ISSFHK Games: The league does not organize any more tournaments until next year. 

  • No Official School Training: Our coaching staff and athletic director moves on to prepare for the next sport in the next ISSFHK season. There are no official, coach-led practices. 

• Why? This system allows athletes to try multiple sports throughout the year and gives everyone a physical and mental break. It also allows our coaches to focus 100% on the current season's sport.

4. Tryouts

1. Why are tryouts required for some teams but not for others?
Tryouts are conducted based on the specific needs of each team. Some teams may have limited spots available or require a certain skill level, which is why tryouts are necessary. Other teams may be more inclusive and do not require a formal tryout process.

2. What should I expect if my child attends a tryout?
If your child attends a tryout, they will participate in various skill assessments and drills. This helps coaches evaluate each player's abilities and fit for the team.

3. When will the tryout results be released?
We understand that parents and players are eager to know the results. Please be patient as our coaches and staff have multiple responsibilities throughout the day. We will ensure that results are released before or during the weekend prior to the first training session.

4. What if my child does not make the team?
If your child does not make the team, we encourage them to continue practicing and developing their skills. There may be opportunities in the future, and our coaches are available to provide guidance on areas for improvement.

5. How can I contact the coaches if I have further questions?
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our coaching staff via email or during designated office hours. We are here to support you and your child.

THE BIG PICTURE

"So, the golden rule is: Pay attention to which ISSFHK season is starting next. When you see the sign-up announcement for that sport, get your name in quickly. This sign-up is your ticket to train and compete for that entire season." 

This way, you can plan your year: maybe you play Volleyball in Season 1, take Season 2 off to focus on academics, and join Track & Field in Season 3! The choice is yours, but you have to sign up when the time is right.

Need More Information?

We know you might have more questions! For more detailed information Please visit our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page here: LINK🔗