Written by: Olivia Faulkner
Has anyone heard of the Athletic Department? People might be well acquainted with afternoon soccer matches or basketball games; however, they are often unaware of the work and effort put by the Athletic Department to host these events.
The Athletic Department is, in fact, a key part of BAIS. They organize sports events, make travel plans for IISSAC, and order sports equipment for clubs and PE classes. Transitioning to the 2023-2024 school year, the Athletic Department has gone through a significant change in leadership. Leading the department this year, Ms. Jamie Fulwood and Pak Andy Mulyadi shared with The BAIS Times their goals and visions for the Athletic Department.
Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Sastra
What are the Athletic Department's goal for this year?
The goals that the Athletic Department has for this year are growing interest and developing sports at BAIS as well as engaging the community around BAIS.
Pak Andy explained that he doesn’t want any of the sports at BAIS to be ignored or overlooked. He said, “I can see the passion from the kids and the potential to make them excellent.” The Athletic Department is striving to make all sports developed and at a high level for the students.
Pak Andy also said that he wants BAIS sports to impact the community around BAIS and make BAIS well known throughout the community around BAIS. Similarly, Ms. Fulwood said, “We want to gain more exposure amongst other communities in Kota Baru, in Bandung, and hopefully regionally in Indonesia.” With the goal to impact beyond the walls of BAIS, the Athletic Department this year wants to make BAIS more known to the communities around.
How does the Athletic Department Plan to carry out their goals for this year?
Three ways that the Athletic Department places to carry their goals are by partnering with the Student Council (StuCo), getting advice from others, and by giving students the best resources.
The Athletic Department plans to collaborate with StuCo in planning and organizing events in order to engage students and the community around BAIS. When asked Pak Andy how to connect with the community outside of BAIS he said, “I try to bring StuCo to help me out because they know the community better than me.” By partnering with StuCo they are able to create events that engage the community in and around BAIS.
When asked the same question to Ms. Fulwood, she talked about using advice from the BAIS community, past athletic directors, as well as athletic directors from other schools. She also talked about using humility and lots of planning to help carry out the Athletic Department’s goals.
Not only does the Athletic Department plan to use the advice from others and StuCo, but the Athletic Department also plans to give students the best resources for sports, including jerseys, transportation, coaches, and other equipment. Pak Andy explained, “We will try to get the best coaches like what I did for badminton. I try to bring people from outside who are national athletes to give their knowledge and share with us.”. Giving students the best resources helps the Athletic Department develop and grow sports at BAIS.
Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Sastra
What are some challenges that the Athletic Department has this year?
Some challenges that the Athletic Department has this year is adjusting work done by the Athletic Department in the past and connecting people to the Athletic Department.
When asked what was a challenge for him this year Pak Andy responded that, “A challenge was connecting people with AD: like AD with parents, AD with staff, AD with teachers, and AD with students.” The Athletic Department has to maintain the community and keep clear communication with everyone. They have to keep everyone on the same page so that everything runs smoothly. Ms. Fulwood also explained how the Athletic Department is like the mediator to the community. This causes the Athletic Department to have to try and solve conflicts related to clubs and sports at BAIS.
Another challenge faced by the Athletic Department is translating the work from past years to fit the Athletic Department now. Pak Andy expressed, “I need to adjust from Ibu Hani and Ibu Dias' work to me and Ibu Fulwood.” The Athletic Department had to change their policies in order to fit the continuously changing school environment.
How does the Athletic Department plan to handle health concerns and issues?
The Athletic Department plans to give the students health suggestions to improve the student’s lifestyles. Their goal is to improve students’ lifestyles in order to help prevent injuries and make them better players.
Pak Andy said, “We are not doctors but we try our best to give you guys some suggestions with our programs.”. He wants to keep athletes healthy especially during the season so they can fully focus and develop their potential.
Another way the Athletic Department plans to handle health concerns and issues is by collecting students medical information through health forms. Ms. Fulwood shared, “Having medical information prepared beforehand makes it easier to do first aid. It makes it easier for us to get the medical help they need.”. The Athletic Department wants to use the medical and health forms to give guidance and more information to the people doing first aid, ensuring the best treatment for the students.
How do students feel about the Athletic Department this year?
Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Sastra
The students are happy with the improvements and work done by the Athletic Department this year. When asked Lionel Putra Hirina (“25), he expressed his gratitude in having Ms. Fulwood and Pak Andy leading the Athletic Department this year.
However, one area Lionel suggested the Athletic Department could improve is the soccer field. He said, “As a soccer player I would like to have an upgrade on the soccer field, like the quality of the grass.” He also expressed that he felt the amount of equipment could be increased.
One thing students want to see from the Athletic Department is a new gymnasium. Lionel said, “I want to have a gymnasium where students can play basketball, futsal, volleyball, and other things and it can be a place where students can hang out and play around in.”
The Athletic department continues to work to develop sports, engage the community, and do the best for the students at BAIS. Whether it is through giving students the best opportunities or listening to the feedback of the BAIS community, the AD is striving to improve BAIS clubs and athletics. “Being AD is challenging and it is a reward in itself.” commented Ms. Fulwood. Through the struggles and the joys of running BAIS athletics, the Athletic Department strives to improve the BAIS community and beyond.