OPENING CEREMONY — A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

The opening ceremony of the first ever AASB volleyball and futsal tournament was brief but meaningful, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Brazil's international school sports. Rather than focusing on length or spectacle, the moment stood out for what it represented: the unification of two long-standing traditions into something greater.

A video presented by NR introduced the transition from the Big 8 Tournament and ISSL to AASB, combining years of competition, rivalry, and shared experiences into a single association. With fourteen schools involved, AASB expands both the level of competition and the sense of community among schools, even if not all were present at the ceremony.

For EABH, being part of this first edition carries both pride and responsibility, as athletes step onto the court not only to compete but to help define what this tournament will become. This moment is especially significant for the senior athletes, who will be graduating this year and are therefore experiencing their first and last AASB tournament at the same time. Their years of commitment, discipline, and representation of the school make this final season particularly meaningful. As a community, there is a strong sense of gratitude for everything they have contributed to the program.

Although the ceremony itself was short, its meaning was not. It marked the start of a tournament that builds on the past while creating something new, and every team present becomes part of that story.