Celebrating a Remarkable Year of SSIS Dragon Athletics

As we wrap up the school year, we celebrate a truly remarkable year in SSIS athletics, one defined not only by podium finishes but by perseverance, growth, and the shared spirit of our Dragon athletes.

This year, SSIS fielded an incredible 125 athletics teams across Elementary, Middle, and High School. That number is a testament to our no-cut policy, which ensures every student has the opportunity to participate, grow, and shine, regardless of their starting point.

“At SSIS, we’re proud to offer an athletics program where every student has the chance to get involved,” says Athletics Director Danial Hogg. “This year, more students than ever before joined teams, developed their skills, and most importantly, had fun. When you build a program that’s inclusive and supportive, you help students grow as individuals and teammates, and you also give them the foundation to perform at their best. Their success on the field this year is proof of that.”

Success at Every Level

This year marked one of the most successful in SSIS Athletics history, with exceptional performances across every division, reflecting the growth of our inclusive, student-centered program.

From first-time athletes to seasoned competitors, SSIS Dragons participated in 12 sports: volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, badminton, swimming, cross country, track & field, table tennis, tennis, golf, and tee-ball. From SISAC* games in Ho Chi Minh City to MRISA** and SEASAC*** competitions across the region, our athletes represented SSIS with skill and sportsmanship. We also successfully hosted several tournaments on campus, welcoming regional and international schools to SSIS, including MRISA Badminton (watch the reel here) for the first time. 

* Saigon International Schools Athletics Conference
** Mekong Region International Schools Association
*** South East Asia Student Activities Conference

High School

Our High School athletes achieved the school’s best-ever results at SEASAC!

Varsity Boys

• Golf team: SEASAC Champions (for the second consecutive year)
• SEASAC Volleyball: 2nd place
• MRISA Badminton: 2nd place
• SEASAC Basketball: 3rd place
• SEASAC Softball: 5th place
• 11-a-side Soccer: 6th place 
• SISAC U19 Badminton: Tournament champions
• SISAC U19 Volleyball: 2nd place
• SISAC U19 Basketbal: 2nd place

Varsity Girls

• SEASAC Badminton: 1st place in SEASAC Division 2 (earning a promotion to Division 1!)
• MRISA Senior Soccer: Tournament champions
• MRISA Badminton: 2nd place
• SISAC U19 Badminton: Tournament champions
• SISAC U19 Soccer: Tournament champions
• SISAC U19 Volleyball: Tournament champions

Middle School

Our teams recorded the highest-ever number of top-4 finishes in SISAC and a record number of City Championship victories.

Boys teams

• MRISA Junior Soccer: Tournament champions
• MRISA Junior Basketball: Tournament champions
• MRISA Junior Badminton: Tournament champions
• Volleyball: 3rd place

Girls teams

• MRISA Basketball: Tournament champions
• MRISA Badminton: 2nd place
• MRISA Volleyball: 2nd place
• Soccer: 5th place
• SISAC U13 Badminton: Tournament champions
• SISAC U15 Badminton: Tournament champions

Elementary School

We celebrated record participation numbers and successfully hosted three major events: cross country, track and field, and tee-ball, which brought the community together and provided valuable experiences for our youngest athletes. 

Looking ahead, we remain committed to a program where every child can be involved, develop their skills, and grow in a supportive and inclusive environment with great coaching.

Growth in the Pool and Beyond

Our Aquatics program continued to deepen its impact, with swimmers demonstrating remarkable commitment. “The progress we’ve seen from our swimmers this year has been fantastic,” says Aquatics Director Josh Smith. “This year was challenging as SSIS’s pool renovations meant we had to train early in the morning, off-campus. However, we saw focused commitment and effort from our ES and our MS/HS Swim Teams, leading to excellent results, including multiple “personal best” times and new SSIS records in 63 different events! We were also very proud of the 15 swimmers who competed at SEASAC in Bangkok against top swimmers from across Southeast Asia.”

More Than Just Games

Across all divisions and sports, it’s been a year to remember—full of growth, success, and school spirit. But what makes Dragon athletics special is not just the trophies, but the environment we’ve created: one where every student feels they belong and can grow.

With every match and every practice, our students learn the value of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. They set goals, manage setbacks, and discover what it means to lead and to follow.

“As I started training seriously and realized how sports are important to me. Looking back, I’ve improved so much both physically and mentally. It hasn’t always been easy, but the hard work has really paid off. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and how I never gave up despite the obstacles I faced,” shares grade 8 student Huy.

A Community Effort Worth Celebrating

None of this would be possible without the support of our broader SSIS community. We are deeply grateful to the parents who made sure their children got to early morning practices, cheered from the sidelines, and championed every game. 

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our PTA, Booster Clubs, and the Athletics Council for their tireless help during tournaments and events. It truly takes a community, and ours has shown up time and again to support our athletes and create a fun environment for all to enjoy. Friday Night Lights, anyone?

We’re proud not only of our teams’ results but of the community and character that SSIS athletics continues to build. With students from all grade levels embracing the challenges of sport and with coaches and staff supporting their journeys every step of the way, we’re confident that our Dragon spirit will burn even brighter next year.

Congratulations to all of our Dragon athletes, families, and coaches. You’ve made this a year to remember!