Athletics function as an integral part of the total curriculum and life at AOSR. The athletic program serves as a miniature model of life in that it provides opportunities for students with regard to responsibility, integrity, honesty, teamwork, leadership, and respect for authority. While we strive to compete and win at a high level of play, our main objective is to provide opportunities for students to develop themselves as well-rounded individuals with positive social and group attitudes and habits, capable of taking their place in a global society

AOSR plays in the ASIL: American Schools Italy League. ASIL consists of seven schools. Three are independent American schools: AOSR, Marymount, and Milan. Four schools are for the dependents of US Department of Defense employees (known as DoDDS schools): Aviano, Naples, Vicenza, and Sigonella. The ASIL is part of the Europe Interscholastic Athletic Program run by the US Department of Defense. The program has 4 divisions with the larger schools being in division 1 and 2 and the smaller in 3 and 4. AOSR, like many of the ASIL members, is in division 2. Each sports season consists of a few months of competition and culminates at the European championships, usually held in Germany. AOSR fields one varsity team per sport, with the exception of basketball, which fields a junior varsity team, numbers permitting.

Fall: Girls/Boys Cross Country, Volleyball and Tennis
Winter: Girls/Boys Basketball, Cheerleading
Spring: Girls/Boys Soccer

Please note: Wrestling will not be offered for the 2010-2011 school year

Teams practice everyday after school from 3:30-5:00. When limited facilities necessitate sharing, teams will alternate between 3:30-5:00 and 5:00-6:30 practice times. Late buses for athletes run all year and depart at 5:00. These buses have more limited routes than the normal buses. The school has a more extensive late bus system once school-wide after school activities begin. Athletes with late practices must make their own transportation arrangements.

Games occur weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays. Away games require students to travel on Friday, often missing part of the school day. Teams travel by bus to competitions within Italy. Besides the initial participation fee of 150 Euro, students selexted to travel to the championship games pay an additional fee of 50 Euro per day to cover transportation and hotel fees. Students must bring a passport to all away games in order to get on military bases. Students buy their meals on the bases using US dollars (euros accepted sometimes). Our teams sleep on the floor in secure classrooms. Each student should bring a sleeping roll and pad. Electrical service on bases is 110 voltage with American-pronged outlets. AOSR expects its student athletes to balance their academics and athletics appropriately. Students should notify teachers about missing school for travel and seek assignments in advance. As a varsity program, playing time is not guaranteed.

High school students are eligible for 8 consecutive semesters after entering 9th grade. Students who turn 19 before September 1st are ineligible. Students in 7th and 8th grade may participate in cross country, or tennis space permitting. Their scores are not counted in official competitions and they do not travel to away events. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and not be failing more than one class or failing one class and earning more than one D in other classes to be eligible to play. A valid doctor's physical (good for one year) must be on file with the school before participating.

Please see the athletics handbook for more information. Should you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Director at sports@aosr.org.