The European Athlete as Student (EAS) - dual career network held its annual Conference and General Assembly in Katowice, Poland, between October 1 and 3, 2024.

The dynamic programme started on Tuesday at the premises of the Academy of Physical Education (AWF) in Katowice, the host of the event. Official opening was carried out by Piotr Rodak, President of the Organizing Committee; Laura Capranica, EAS President, European Athlete as Student network); Adam Zajac, Vice Rector of Sport AWF Katowice, Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak (Member of the European Parliament, Olympian), and Rajmund Tomik, Conference Director.

On the first day, key lectures were held by Adam Zajac (Academy of Pysical Education in Katowice - AWF) on AWF - School of Champions; Izabela Pelczynska (European Education and Culture Executive Agency - EACEA) on Erasmus+ for Dual Careers – International cooperation and funding opportunities; Bill Thompson (International University Sports Federation - FISU) on FISU) and Dual Career – a global approach for stakeholders; and by Antonio Tessitore (European Network of Sport Education - ENSE) on Collaboration between EAS and ENSE.

At the conference, the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship Award was presented for the best research in the field of dual career, awarded to Flavia Guidotti from Italy, followed by EAS 20th anniversary commemoration, looking back into the history and main achievements of EAS.

The afternoon sessions focused on oral presentations on dual career at university level and European dual career projects. Several speakers shared the insights into the activities and projects. On behalf of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the EUSA Institute, its Projects and Policy Manager Andrej Pisl presented the project Discovering University Sport and Supporting Dual Career (DiscoverU).

Wednesday programme was held at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow (Stadion Slaski), where the participants were able to explore the refurbished sports infrastructure and facilities, as well as get immersed in the dual career topics.

Panel Discussion Sport in School and University, chaired by Piotr Rodak, featured Weronika Nowakowska as a former Olympian and sport professional; Marianna Pikul from Academic Sports Association of Poland - AZS; Krzysztof Wilusz, Vice-Dean of AWF Katowice, and Maciej Wyderka, current AWF Katowice student and Olympian. They shared from their perspective the importance and experiences of dual career support.

The participants took part in the EAS General Assembly, where EAS President Laura Capranica, Treasurer Mojca Doupona and Executive Committee member Ole Keldorf presented the activities and finances of the past year, as well as introduced the future activities, projects and events. Oral presentations on dual career – National Solutions and at School and University followed after the General Assembly, and concluded the formal part of the Wednesday afternoon.

The EAS Conference concluded on Thursday, with a guided tour of the Guido Mine in Zabrze. Participants had a chance to visit a mine museum, where the event finished 320m under ground, with a summary and closing ceremony.

The EAS Conference was also an occasion for some DiscoverU project partners to meet and prepare next project steps, as well as to discuss with other partners and stakeholders ongoing projects, like the Fit4Green, and potential new initiatives and project ideas. European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the European Athlete as Student (EAS) are strategic partners, cooperating in advancing conditions and opportunities for dual career student athletes and sport persons.

Next year, the EAS Conference and General Assembly will be held in Zagreb, Croatia - hosted by the Croatian Olympic Committee.

For more information, please see https://eas24.awf.katowice.pl and https://www.dualcareer.eu.