Athletics

Click to download the 2011-2012 catalog.

We strive to create good people, good students and good athletes - always in that order. Athletic competition is a holistic learning opportunity. As coaches and educators, we have a great opportunity and responsibility to help mold the character and values of our student athletes who will go on to be the future leaders in Mexico, the United States and many other countries. Coaches responsibility, discipline, respect, hard work and fair play. We will always represent ASF with pride, dignity and honor, fight as hard as we can for victory, but realize that losses can happen, which become an opportunity to work harder the next time around.

As a K-12 school on a shared campus, ASF has the opportunity to carefully plan the path of successful athletes from Early Childhood to highly competitive varsity athletics, making sure that at all ages they are inspired to enjoy fitness, teamwork and competition at their appropriate level.

In short, at ASF we treat success in athletics as something built and planned for using sound sport and educational practices, not something that happens by accident - just as we do with our academic programs.

While each sport has its specific K-12 plan (available for browsing on the left), the section below provides an generalized outline of what an athlete can expect to experience during their careers at ASF.

Success By Design

• Early Childhood: Sports and physical activities are available via the After School Program, most of which take place from 1pm to 2pm, 2 days per week. These activities emphasize fundamental footwork and hand-eye coordination, while sport-specific skills are gradually introduced. We do not emphasize competition at this age, since research suggests that it tends to deter more players than it encourages; simple competition is intramural and does not emphasize winning or keeping score. We encourage students to play more than one sport, which helps them to develop well-rounded abilities.
• Lower School: Practices for Lower School students typically take place between 2:45pm and 3:45pm, twice per week. We encourage students to play multiple sports. Competition gradually intensifies as players progress from 1st grade to 5th with some friendship matches with other schools. The aim is to prepare athletes with the maturity, fitness and skill level to handle league-based competition in Middle School.
• Middle School: Entering 6th grade represents the ASF student's initiation into league-based competition, in which athletes have the exciting opportunity to represent the ASF in Mexico City and travel to ASOMEX (American School Organization of Mexico) tournaments. The demand on maturity, commitment, fitness and skill level intensify correspondingly. Practices become mandatory, and most MS teams practice from 2:45pm to 3:45pm, Monday through Friday. Participation in competitions is mandatory, although equal participation is the emphasis. Cuts are used very sparingly, only when limits on facility space and time require it, and are based only on fitness benchmarks.
• Upper School: Entering 9th grade represents the next significant leap for young athletes as they begin to compete at advanced levels. Junior Varsity and Varsity sports become very demanding on maturity, commitment, fitness and skill level. Mandatory practices take place daily from 3:52pm to 6pm, requiring athletes to manage their time carefully. Additional preseason, fitness and weight training regimens are often required. Teams are selective and playing time is based on player performance. The commitment and sacrifice have there rewards, as ASF varsity teams routinely reach the finals of their Mexico City and ASOMEX league tournament.

Through this carefully planned program, young athletes can expect to achieve their potential, appreciate exercise and teamwork for life, and to mature and become more dedicated students, global citizens and leaders

And of course we expect that they will graduate from ASF with fond, life-long memories of representing the Bears!