AASB Tournament Day One: A New Era Begins

October 26 2025  marked the beginning of a new chapter in American schools in Brazil. The first-ever AASB National Tournament, uniting eight schools from both the ISSL and Big 8 leagues. Unlike previous years, there will be no separate ISSL or Big 8 champions advancing to nationals, this time, all schools compete for one ultimate national title.

This year’s format also brings change. Instead of the traditional five-day ISSL setup, the tournament is split into two halves:

• First half: Girls’ Soccer and Boys’ Basketball.

• Second half: Boys’ Soccer and Girls’ Basketball.

That means unless athletes compete in both halves, they won’t see players from the other rotation, something that disappointed several ISSL athletes but not the Big 8 players, who are already used to this system.

The competition structure now includes multiple brackets (“chaves” in Portuguese). Each bracket winner advances to the chave nationals, corresponding to the former national championship.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony kicked off with speeches by the EAC SALC President and OLM SALC President, who shared their excitement for the first AASB event bringing together 16 schools from across Brazil:

1. Pan American School of Bahia (PASB)

2. Pan American School of Porto Alegre (PASPOA)

3. Nations

4. Escola Americana de Belo Horizonte (EABH)

5. Escola Americana de Recife (EAR)

6. British School of Rio de Janeiro (Barra + Urca)

7. Our Lady of Mercy (OLM)

8. Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro (EARJ)

9. Escola Americana de Brasília (EAB)

10. Pan American Christian Academy (PACA)

11. Chapel

12. Graded

13. International School of Curitiba (ISC)

14. Escola Americana de Campinas (EAC)

15. Sant'Anna

After the introductions, the Brazilian, American, and British national anthems were played, officially opening the tournament.

Girls’ Soccer: EABH Hawks vs. ISC Wildcats

EABH’s first match was Girls’ Soccer against ISC Wildcats, a historic moment, since the Hawks had never faced the Wildcats before.

It was a a tight, hard-fought game. ISC scored one goal in the first half, but Coach Daniel’s halftime message was clear: “There’s no way you don’t win this game.”

The Hawks came back stronger in the second half, dominating possession and creating multiple near-goals,  including a crossbar shot by Laura Calixto (99) that had the crowd roaring. Despite the pressure, the Wildcats’ goalkeeper held firm.

In the final three minutes, Laura Calixto (99) finally found the net, but the game ended 3–1 for ISC.

“We knew what to do and how to do it. It just wasn’t this time,” said Mariana Lanna (13) 

Even so, the team’s spirit stayed high. Co-captain Marina Cambraia (12th grade) received the Fair Play Card, recognizing her sportsmanship and leadership.

Boys’ Basketball: EABH Hawks vs. Sant'Anna Wolves 

Next up, the Boys’ Basketball team faced the Sant'Anna Wolves, another opponent EABH had never played before.

This match was extra special, it marked the inaugural performance of EABH’s Varsity Cheerleading Team, who brought energy and school pride to the court.

Due to injuries, EABH had only seven basketball players this season, leaving just two on the bench. Despite the limited roster and a strong Wolves crowd, the Hawks stayed determined.

After a rough start, EABH began closing the gap, showing resilience and teamwork. The final score was 30–17 for Sant'Anna, but the Hawks left the court with their heads high.

Lucca (9th grade) was awarded the Fair Play Card for his performance and attitude.

Looking Ahead

Although both teams faced tough losses, no one felt defeated. The Hawks remain focused and optimistic, knowing what needs to be done for the upcoming games. The season still holds plenty of promise.

The AASB Tournament has officially begun, and the Hawks are ready to soar.