Press Release
Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) Celebrates its 25th Anniversary The 2019-2020 school year marks the 25th anniversary of APAC. The members of the first basketball, soccer and volleyball tournaments held during the 1995-1996 school year have long since graduated and are now in their forties. Some of them are now the alumni parents of the next generation of APAC participants. Over time APAC has grown into far more than just a sports league. Choir was added in 1997-1998 followed by tennis the next year and by band the following year. By the 20112012 school year APAC consisted of twelve schools in two divisions hosting eleven sports (Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Swimming, Cross Country, Rugby, Track and Field, Badminton, and Table Tennis), five performing arts (Choir, Band, Orchestra, Theater, and Dance), as well as Forensics. The original conversations held between Brent International School Manila and Canadian Academy over twenty-five years ago have grown into a collaborative network of schools around Asia working to promote the physical, social and emotional growth of our students through extra-curricular involvement. Our league of international schools now includes: American International School Guangzhou Brent International School Manila Concordia International School Shanghai Canadian Academy Hong Kong International School International School Beijing Shanghai American School Pudong Shanghai American School Puxi Seoul Foreign School Taejon Christian International School United Nations International School Hanoi Western Academy of Beijing
28 EARCOS Triannual Journal
As our alumni have returned to visit, it is clear that the self-discipline, respect and drive for excellence fostered during their experiences in APAC have continued to inform their future decisions. The network of relationships built during APAC events have enriched the collegial interactions of educators and connected parents and college students leading to lifetime friendships and business partnerships. This remarkable legacy would not be possible without the continuous support, commitment and cooperation provided by the communities at all the APAC schools. Throughout the years difficulties from typhoons to bird flu to political unrest have presented challenges, but our schools have always come together and found a way forward. An incredible level of coordination is overseen by a tireless group of dedicated Activities Directors who act as the organization’s backbone. Students stay with host families at each school, adding a vibrant intercultural dimension to the APAC experience. Coaches, faculty, students, families and administration at all of our APAC schools are to be commended for helping to provide the rich experiences that contribute to the growth of so many young people. As the APAC organization celebrates our silver anniversary we look forward to many years of continued partnership in the future.
