U15 FOBISIA, Phuket, Thailand

FOBISIA - The Federation of British International Schools in Asia
​www.fobisia.org/page.cfm?p=519

I was lucky enough to be with the U15 girls team which were off to this big sporting event the day after International day for 3 days of competition against 6 other schools.

The place we stayed was Thanyapura Sports Complex which was the most incredible place for athletes to stay. They have Olympic and International squads which stay and train here as well as Ironman and triathlon athletes to name but a few. The facilities are on one campus and a stones through from the beach for open water swimming, there is also a range of cafés and restaurants as well providing top food for athletes. It was great to be in such a sporting excellence environment rather than in a school where a lot of other tournaments are held.

An ariel view of the site, including a 50m and 25m pool. 500m athletics track (a bit weird!)

Day 1

This is the accommodation area with a more relaxing pool area

Both boys and girls teams started at the pool with the swimming events taking place in the morning, then heading down to the track for the athletics in the afternoon. Our team finishing 4th overall in the two events, gaining individual and relay medals along the way. All in 30 degree heat - I was grateful for the ice bags we got to take with us to cool us all down!!

Day 2

As staff we could get up and use the gym and pool facilities which was great as we could get in our exercise before the students were up!! Also there was a lot of good food so needed to justify the need to eat more haha.
The girls had a football tournament today, playing all 6 schools in 30 minutes matches - again in strong heat! Overall came 5th, with strong performance of 4-2 against the winners of the tournament, so we were happy with that! The boys played basketball making it to the semi finals and losing to the overall winners.

Day 3

Michelle - HOD and absolute babe!

The most emotional day for tired girls who played their hearts out in the basketball and came up against some aggressive teams and just missed out in a place in the semi finals in an incredibly fought game!! Rounded it up with a game against the Korean school there that they had all made friends with which was nice. Had a gala dinner and disco in the evening which was fun for the students...and our staff - the only ones who joined in on the fun and not sat around the edge on our phones like others!!

Michelle and I had fun on our first FOBISIA experience with our girls, Luís and his boys squad. Lots of wonderful memories and friendships made; made sweeter that we were in Thailand! Matt is going for the U13 and I might be going again with the U11 in May - who knows yet... let's hope so! 

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