Down Under Experience

My name is Diamond Marshall, a sophomore honors student with a 3.8 GPA at Patuxent High School in Lusby, Maryland. I am honored and delighted to have been awarded First Team All-State honors to represent the 2016 Maryland State Track and Field Team at the Downunder International Games. This spectacle will be held in Brisbane, Australia for an astounding nine days starting July 3, 2016.  

“International Sports Specialists, Inc. (ISSI) was founded in February 1989 based upon the dream of a New Zealander by the name of George O'Scanlon. George fell in love with athletics, especially American football (gridiron) as a young man growing up in his native country of New Zealand. His desire over the years has been to promote gridiron, not only to the people of New Zealand, but also to Australia where he lived for many years. For over twenty years, ISSI has had the opportunity to share the land Down Under with tens of thousands of individuals from across the United States. The overwhelming success of the Down Under Bowl was a springboard for ISSI’s establishment of the Down Under Hoops Classic and eventually the Down Under International Games. From its first Down Under Bowl in 1989, when four states produced a handful of teams, to 2015 when ISSI sent athletes from almost all 50 states to compete in the Down Under Bowl, Hoops Classic and International Games, the goal has been the same; to use the common language of sports to bridge the continents” (Down Under Sports, 2016).

In regards to track and field, I run the 100m, 200m, 400m sprints and 4x1, 4x2, 4x4 relays during the indoor and outdoor seasons. My 100m time placed me in the top 10 in state, and our combined points got the Patuxent girls track and field 5th in the state.

In addition, my extra-curricular activities include platoon commander in the Navy JROTC, president of our school’s Interact Club, and midfielder/defender on our field hockey team.

The total package includes the following: Airfare, Hotel, Food, Tournament Fees and Insurance, which costs $4,798. Due to my age, this trip requires parental supervision (Supporter) which costs an additional $5,098.

I pray that you will consider being a sponsor as my goal is to excel in this life-changing, international athletic endeavor.


Sincerely,

Diamond A. Marshall