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. Over the past seventeen years, ISSI has had the opportunity to share the land Down Under with tens of thousands of individuals from across the United States . From its first Down Under Bowl in 1989, when 4 states produced a handful of teams, to 2001 when ISSI sent All-State athletes from all 50 states to participate in the Down Under Bowl, the goal has been the same; to use the common language of sports to bridge the continents.

Over the years, ISSI and its coaches and athletes have afforded the people of Australia and New Zealand hundreds of football clinics and instructional workshops to assist them in building their football programs. In turn, many wonderful acquaintances and experiences for our U.S. athletes have been made with the Australians and New Zealanders.

The success of the Down Under Bowl was a springboard for ISSI's involvement in the Down Under Hoops Classic, now in its tenth year. The number of those desiring to participate in the "Classic" has been doubling each year. The year 2007 will see the continuing expansion of not only the Down Under Bowl and the Hoops Classic, but also the Down Under International Games. ISSI will be hosting the "Games" which provides a forum for athletes from many other countries to compete head to head in the sport they love. The 2007 Down Under International Games includes competition in volleyball, golf, cross-country, track and field, free style wrestling and swimming. ISSI's goal is to continue to provide athletes who excel in their sport the opportunity to experience the culture, beauty and grandeur of the land Down Under all within the framework of spirited and intense competition in many different sports. It is ISSI's desire to assure that each and every individual associated with the Down Under Sports Programs, including the athletes and the people Down Under, benefit in some way from its annual tournaments.

Each athlete must be nominated by a coach from his or her state or be on a pre or post season honors list in order to participate in the Down Under Sports Program. Some prior standouts of the Down Under Bowl include Jake "The Snake" Plummer, quarterback for the Denver Broncos and Ahman Green, running back for the Green Bay Packers. Many of the top universities also have Down Under Bowl Alumni.

The 2001 Down Under Sports had the opportunity of having Ahman Green from the Green Bay Packers as an ISSI alumni spokesperson in Australia . While in Australia, Ahman had the opportunity to make several appearances including sports television talk shows, a Rugby league match (where he had the opportunity to meet Wendell Sailor, the team captain of the Brisbane Broncos), and was the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July celebration parade.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 435.753.4732.