Flint Hill Hosts Tajikistani Fighting Experts

As part of a three-week U.S. tour, a group of women fighting experts stopped by Flint Hill School on Oct. 3 to see how women's sports have been incorporated in America.

The Oakton private school welcomed the opportunity to promote gender equality in sports and to build a new international relationship.

The athletes, took a daylong tour of the school, visiting with Lower School Director Sheena Hall, Headmaster John Thomas, Athletics Director Steve Henry and women's basketball Coach Jody Patrick, as well as Russian-speaking eighth-grader Val Iliassov and native Russian Lola McCray, an eighth-grade math teacher.

"I think it is great that the athletes are able to visit schools like Flint Hill," McCray said. "It is very special that they are able to see the differences in schooling here in the U.S., but also for them to see that the education they have received in their home country is translatable, and valuable."

As part of their tour, Flint Hill's representatives emphasized the importance the school places on international awareness.

“We love the opportunity to host visitors from other nations. We want to share our School with them and also learn about their cultures, countries, and educational systems," Thomas said. "We hope that by being open, responsive, and excited about differences, we can help our children become stronger as future leaders.”

All of the visiting athletes work in Tajikistan as coaches, holding fighting expertise in the areas of free-style wrestling, boxing or Tae Kwon Do.

In meeting with Henry and Patrick, the women learned about the school's athletic facilities. Henry focused on how sports instills discipline in its athletes.

"Athletics teaches the important values of respect, commitment, hard work, and responsibility,” he said. "I believe this allows us to build character. Achieving excellence in whatever we do is important. It does not mean that you have to win, but simply means that you always do your best!"

Patrick, who helped to facilitate the visit through the U.S. State Department’s SportsUnited program and also serves on the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental Under 16 National Team Committee, talked about the history of women's sports in America, with an emphasis on Title IX's influence on gender equality.

"These young athletes are pioneers in their country," Patrick said. "We encourage them to keep leading the way as positive role models for their next generation, so that their actions go far in helping shape their country's academic/athletic philosophy, as well as their international identity."