We feel fortunate to be associated with the youth of America and in being able to help them experience Australia and to compete in the sports they love.

In light of the recent events in our country, we realize that you may have safety concerns about travel. Since the inception of our program in 1989 ISSI has had the safety of its participants as a paramount concern. If you have some concerns about traveling we would invite you to please consider the following:

• ISSI employs its officers, directors, coaches, asst. coaches and tour guides to assure that each and every participant has a safe a wonderful experience.
• Airline travel with all the checks and rechecks is now safer than it has ever been in the history of aviation.
• With the passage of the Airline Safety Bill, airline travel will become even safer as new measures of protection are implemented.
• ISSI unlike many other companies does not do home-stays while in Australia. Each and every night athletes are kept in quality hotels where bed checks are performed to assure that all participants are properly accounted for.
• ISSI does not allow the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances which could impair the safety of the participants or others.
• Australia is one of the safest destinations that Americans can travel to. The people are wonderful, warm and love Americans.
• Qantas Airways, the official carrier of the ISSI program participants, has the safest flying record of any airlines.
• President Bush, along with many others exemplifying the greatness of America, has indicated that we will not let the evil of the world win. We must live our lives to the fullest. Our youth should be able to visit other countries and experience the world that is filled with wonderful people.

We welcome you to the "Down Under Bowl", "Down Under Hoops Classic", and the "Down Under International Games". We will do all within our power to assure the safety of our participants and continue our tradition of hosting in Australia the best sporting competition possible. You will never forget the experience of traveling to and competing in the land DOWN UNDER.