GISST Program at the International School Stuttgart (ISS)

The GISST (German International School Sports Tournament) Program at the International School Stuttgart (ISS) offers an exciting opportunity for students in grades 6 through 12 to engage in competitive sports throughout the academic year. As a member of the GISST league, ISS athletes compete against other international schools across Germany in both friendly matches and official tournaments. Please read our Athlete Guidelines for Sports Trips.

The program is structured around defined sports seasons—Fall (August to December), Winter (December to March), and Spring (March to May). Each season begins with a two-week tryout period, where students can demonstrate their skills, attitude, and commitment. Teams are then formed based on a competitive tryout process, with coaches selecting players according to ability, attitude, and commitment. Each team has a minimum and maximum number of athletes, and participation may require students to miss classes. In such cases, students must ensure all missed work is completed on time.

Once teams are established, they participate in various tournaments, including the major GISST competitions, which typically take place at the end of each season from Thursday to Saturday. ISS hosts two GISST tournaments annually, and in addition to these, each team is scheduled for at least two friendly matches or tournaments as preparation. Home and away games, sometimes involving overnight trips, are part of the experience, providing students with additional opportunities to develop their athletic skills and experience inter-school sports.

To further support student-athletes, ISS offers pre-season and post-season training sessions where demand and facility availability permit. The GISST program emphasizes not only competition but also the development of teamwork, perseverance, and school spirit. While the program fosters athletic growth, the school’s philosophy of “Student first; athlete second” remains central, with academic responsibilities taking priority.

We encourage all interested students to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to represent ISS, develop their athletic abilities, and create lasting memories with their peers. For more detailed information, students and parents can visit the GISST website.

Our pre-season and post-season sessions are designed to help athletes at every stage of their development. During the pre-season, the focus is on improving fitness, technique, and game understanding to ensure each player is well-prepared for the upcoming competition. Post-season sessions, on the other hand, provide an opportunity to refine skills, reflect on performance, and stay sharp for future challenges. We encourage all interested players to attend both sessions and make the most of these opportunities for growth.

Important Note: Should we experience a higher-than-expected turnout, we may conduct tryouts during pre-season and organize evaluation drills post-season to ensure high-quality practices and balanced training groups. This will help us provide the best possible experience for all participants throughout both preparation periods.

The GISST fee is 180€ per sport.

All athletes who will take part in an overnight tournaments, will be charged another 75€ per night accommodation, including breakfast and dinner at the
hotel/ hostel.  

Pre and Post Season cost will be calculated individually for each sport according to the number of practice sessions offered.

The ISS Finance Department will bill you via the Veracross Family Portal and notify you via email that payment is due.

If you have given your direct debit consent to ISS, we will collect payment after the due date.

• Bavarian International School (BIS)
• Berlin British School (BBS)
• Franconian International School (FIS)
• International School Hannover Region (ISHR)
• Frankfurt-Rhein-Main (ISFRM)
• Berlin Brandenburg International School (BBIS)
• Berlin International School (BIS)
• Dresden International School (DIS)
• International School of Stuttgart (ISS)
• Leipzig International School (LIS)
• St. George ́s School Duisburg – Düsseldorf (STG)
• International School Ulm (ISU)