At BCIS, students’ extracurricular activities vary widely based on interests, with sports being one of them. In fact, throughout the first season of the 23-24 academic year, BCIS fielded an impressive total of seven teams, participating in nine matches and bringing home seven top-three trophies, including four championship titles. 

The swimming and cross-country teams also showed outstanding performances and sportsmanship in their competitions. Today, we are going to explore the stories of BCIS sports champions who demonstrated unique personal strengths that led to their success. 

The BCIS volleyball season of 2023 has been a remarkable journey, with leadership at its core. In this season's ACAMIS U19 boys' volleyball competition, the triumphant BCIS team emerged as champions, demonstrating their exceptional skills and teamwork.  

This season reverberated with the resounding echoes of leadership; a symphony conducted by the unwavering spirit of our team. In the crucible of competition, the team captains emerged as beacons of inspiration. With their unwavering confidence and astute decision-making, they navigated the ebb and flow of each game, guiding their teammates towards triumph. Their voices, resonating with conviction, echoed across the court, instilling a sense of belief in the hearts of their fellow players. 

Koala, the youngest team member, and Catherine coalesce as U19 coaches, illustrating that leadership transcends age or titles. When the season commenced, Koala and Catherine were formidable attackers. As the senior setter departed, their collective decision-making identified Koala as the ideal replacement. Embracing the challenge, Koala delved into the complexities of setting, dedicating herself to match her teammates' proficiency. Meanwhile, Kara, despite not being the loudest, emanates tranquility, radiating care and joy. A consummate organizer, she orchestrates activities and fosters emotional well-being, epitomizing the team's cohesion. 

Leadership xtended beyond the confines of the game. In the realm of sportsmanship, our players displayed grace and humility. They acknowledged the efforts of their opponents, fostering an environment of mutual respect and camaraderie. Their actions speak volumes, demonstrating that leadership is not solely about achieving glory but also about uplifting the spirit of the game itself. 

As the final whistle echoed through the air, the BCIS volleyball season of 2023 comes to a close. It was a season defined by resolute leadership, where every player embraced their true potential and inspired others to do the same. The indomitable spirit of leadership that permeated our team will continue to reverberate, inspiring future BCIS warriors to do the same.  

The spirit was also evident in the BCIS basketball team. Throughout the first half of the season of the U19 high school basketball team, team spirit played a pivotal role in their journey. Despite facing the challenge of numerous team members falling ill, the U19 high school basketball team exhibited remarkable resilience and commitment throughout the first half of the season. 

In both games and training sessions, the team demonstrated their collective commitment to effective communication and negotiation. During games, quick talks were held about which moves to pull and how to adjust to the game's flow, showcasing the team's adaptability and decision-making skills on the court. In training, the focus was on teamwork—working together to perfect plays, address personal and team weak spots, and formulate a solid game plan. These discussions weren't just about skills; they made the team feel like a cohesive unit, with everyone having a say and feeling important. Throughout the season, the team was able to connect with students they may not have known before, expanding their social circle within the team. Whether from different grades or individuals they hadn't crossed paths with, this outreach contributed to a more interconnected team dynamic. Building relationships with a broader range of peers added depth to the team spirit, creating a supportive network that extended beyond familiar faces. 

Despite the anticipation for the upcoming ISAC and ACAMIS tournaments on the horizon, it's noteworthy that the team's spirit has been prominently on display even before these key events. The shared commitment to overarching goals, beyond individual prowess, has created a sense of unity that goes beyond the immediate challenges they face. As the team looks forward to the tournaments, their demonstrated team spirit becomes a strong foundation upon which they aspire to build success and camaraderie in the face of competition. 

Not only do team sports excel, the performance of individual sports should also be highlighted, especially the  cross-country  running  competition.  On the boiling day, runners had to complete an exhausting race of 3 kilometers. With a bumpy route under their feet, she could have easily twisted her ankle, but she kept on going and going. Not only did she finish the race safely,  but Eliana also  won third place in the race! 

Winners never quit and quitters never win. This might seem like some old-fashioned mantra, but we give up more often than we might think. While running, it was extremely easy to stop and start walking, but sometimes, we just need to push harder to achieve our goals. Despite the fact that the athletes did not train for this sport, determination and grit is what pushed the athletes to perform their best. This has created a sense of challenge and pride to the team and made winning an honor well deserved. 

Eliana expressed:

I was a bit disappointed when I didn’t get the ranking I had hoped, but in that moment I was too tired to care. I was terribly out of breath and the 3km proved more of a challenge than usual. That was because of the uneven ground we had to run on. It took me by surprise, and I still wonder to this day if things would have been different if the ground had been more comfortable to run on. Nonetheless, I learned a very good lesson, and I now know to train on different types of terrain. It was a very memorable experience.

Winning is indeed enjoyable, serving as a tangible reward for dedicated efforts. In sports where scores are kept, it becomes our responsibility to contribute our utmost within the rules of the game to pursue victory for the team. However, the essence of winning takes on a negative connotation when it becomes the sole objective for a team. Among the various sports teams at BCIS, members aspire to more than just championship titles. They exemplify qualities such as leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As highlighted by Darren Skov, the coach for successful sports and extracurricular activities, students engaged in these pursuits are driven by more than just pragmatic goals like academic advancement. Instead, they find a profound sense of self-identity through the process—elevating themselves, assisting others, and evolving into better individuals.

Special thanks to John Zhu (G11) for the photographs