A typical season goes on for 8 to 10 weeks. However, these do vary, depending on when the school starts back in the year and when the holidays are. The end of a competitive sports season is marked by the final ISST Tournament for all Varsity Teams (U18s). This international tournament is carried out in different countries with each school taking its turn to host one of the tournaments. All recreational activities finish at the same time. 

Students wanting to take part in a competitive team or recreational activity must sign up via a google form. Information is sent out to all students and families via email and newsletter, with information about the coming season and a link to the signup form. Students MUST sign up if they want to be involved.

In some sports. Year 7 - 9 Students who are aged 13 on or before given dates of the school year may try out for Varsity or JV teams. Specifically, students may try out for Varsity and JV teams in:

Volleyball and Cross Country if they are aged 13 on or before 1 September

Golf, Track and Field and Tennis if they are 13 on or before 1 March.

Rugby has special rules that is guided by the World Rugby Federation Laws. This can be found on the school sports website under ‘eligibility’.

Uniforms are purchased by the Athletic Department. Uniforms are issued by the Assistant Athletic Director and the coach of each team. The player is responsible for returning all parts of the uniform clean and in good condition to the Assistant AD and coach at the end of the season. Some personal items such as socks and shorts can be purchased on the School Web Sports Shop. These remain the property of the player.

Replacing uniforms is costly and time consuming. When a player loses an item the parents/guardians will be billed 50 euros per item. This means if a basketball uniform is lost the parents are billed 100 euros (50 euros for the shorts and 50 euros for the top).

Valuables may NOT be left out or in bags in the changing rooms during practices or games. All valuables should be locked away in the student's regular locker or in the lockers provided outside of the changing rooms. The sports lockers are large enough to fit laptops. These lockers require a 4 digit code that the student types into the locker.

Game schedules are posted on the Athletics Calendar, as well as schedules by specific teams. Both schedule types can be found on the sports page of the school website. You need to log on to the parent portal to access this.

All students are housed in pairs or more by families of the host school. However, there are some situations whereby students will stay in Hotel Accommodation due to the limitations of the host school or the nature of the tournament. You will be informed if this is the case!

Yes, all families with children on an ISH athletics team are required to provide housing for visiting athletes, minimum two students, which facilitates easier social situations. This ‘housing’ programme is at the heart of the ISST league and without member schools opening up their homes and providing meals to visiting athletes the costs of travel weekends and end of season tournaments would increase to much higher costs. The housing programme also allows for both visiting and our own athletes to enjoy a secure and inter-cultural experience while on away trips.

If a Varsity team is hosting an ISST, then there is mandatory housing for that team and also the JV team of that sport. Other sports teams will also be approached to help out.

If for any reason you are not able to host students on a particular weekend or tournament, please contact me and let me know the reason why. Often we are able to assist or recommend solutions. 

Housing Rules and Regulations (ISST Regulations) can be found on the school website via the sports page ISST.

Athletics at ISH is financed in large part by the school. Each student-athlete pays a “User Fee” to help offset costs. This user fee is the same per level no matter the sport. The fees charged is a contribution towards facility hire, coaches, referees, local travel within Zuid Holland, kit, ISST membership, tournament entry fees and other elements of the sports department.

The competitive programme: The fees, to be apart of an ISH Silverbacks Team, depends on the level and where the team travel to during the season and where the post-season tournament is taking place. The cost for each team and season is:

• Varsity Team = €125
• Junior Varsity (JV) = €105
• U14 & U12 Teams = €70

Additional Costs:

€40 is charged for a team top and warm up shirt. This is optional and parents/guardians must inform the Athletic Director at the beginning of the season if this is not to be purchased.

*Rugby - €55 is charged for a team training top and training hoody. This is optional and parents/guardians must inform the Athletic Director at the beginning of the season if this is not to be purchased.

Any extra kit purchased, e.g. Rugby / Football shorts, black socks, Rugby Contact Top etc.

All travel costs to any fixture outside of the Zuid Holland and ISST or end of season tournaments. Please note, we always try to involve other school teams with away travel games (except ISST) to keep transportation costs to a minimum.

Accommodation - Even though students are often housed when they travel away, there are some situations whereby students will stay in Hotel Accommodation due to the limitations of the host school or the nature of the tournament. Should this happen all students involved will be looked after by ISH staff/coaches. You will be informed of the details, including costs involved, in advance.

The Recreational Programme: The cost of these activities vary. Some are charged per session or for the total number of weeks.

The Competitive Club Programme: These costs can change. For the 2019/2020 season they are:

• Hockey = €315 Full Season
• Basketball = €185 Full Season / €100 Half Season

The costs are billed by ISH Accounts at the end of the season and you will receive an invoice which will need to be paid. Should you require a break down you can contact the Athletic Director for further details. Competitive Club Programme requires payment before the start of the season takes place. 

Parents are immediately informed that the child is going to the hospital. Coaches have insurance details but it is the responsibility of the student to have their medical insurance card/papers as this would be needed should medical treatment be required. Communication between the coach and parents/guardians is crucial. 

All coaches are first aid trained!

The Silverbacks Booster Club is a team of volunteer parents that run the concession stand and raises funds, promotes school spirit and works together with the Athletic Director and sports department to support the ISH athletic community, its events and programs. Parents/Guardians who are interested.

Refunds will be provided in two cases:

Competitive Sports and Club Programme:

1.  If the student-athlete decides to stop playing or is injured within two weeks of the first tryout, a full refund is provided. In this case, the Head Coach must be informed via email along with the Athletic Director. The date of the email is the official date the student-athlete has quit.
2. If a student-athlete is injured before the halfway mark of the season (measured in weeks), a 50% refund will be offered with the presentation of a signed medical certificate.

Recreational Activities Programme: No refund is given once the activity has started. 

Junior Teams:

All students must be enrolled as full time students at ISH.

Competitors must be 12, 13 or 14 years of age on September 1st of the academic year in which they are competing. In addition, competitors turning 12 on or before December 1st may compete in the Winter season and competitors turning 12 on or before March 1st may compete in the Spring season.

A student may participate on only one team and in one sport during any given weekend or Championship series of games (except in Swimming relays as per rules).

No student is eligible to compete for the school until the ‘Athletes Participation’ form is filled in.

Each student and his parent or guardian must sign the Athletic Code.

Junior Varsity & Varsity Teams:

All students must be enrolled as full time students at ISH.

Competitors must be 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 years of age on September 1st of the academic year in which they are competing. In addition, competitors turning 13 on or before December 1st may compete in the Winter season and competitors turning 13 on or before March 1st may compete in the Spring season. For rugby, the minimum age is 15 years on September 1st and maximum is 17 years on June 1st of the academic year.

A student may participate on only one team and in one sport during any given weekend or Championship series of games (except in swimming relays as per rules).

No student is eligible to compete for the school until the ‘Athletes Participation’ form is filed in.

Each student and his parent or guardian must sign the Athletic Code.

In sports where both Varsity and Junior teams exist, students must be at least 14 years of age by September 1st of the academic year in which they are competing to participate in the Varsity division.