Members of the Executive Committee of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and invited guests met for the second EUSA EC meeting, held on September 21 and 22 in 2017 in Tartu, Estonia.

The meeting was hosted by EUSA member Estonian Academic Sports Federation (EASL), governing body for university sport in Estonia. The meeting was closely connected to the celebrations of the International Day of University Sport (IDUS) on September 20, as well as to the opening of the European Week of Sport (EWOS #beactive) on September 23, and activities related to these events.



On behalf of EASL, EUSA guests were welcomed by its President Mr Ants Veetousme, Secretary General Mr Tarmo Jaakson and a team of volunteers.



EUSA President thanked Mr Veetousme and Mr Jaakson for the hospitality and for hosting the meeting, combining it with the important events, all of them contributing to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of EASL, which is being marked this year.



EUSA Executive Committee meeting was attended also by the President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Oleg Matytsin. Mr Matytsin thanked EUSA and EASL for the invitation and congratulated both organisations on their work, wishing them success also in the future.



The meeting started with the reports by the office report, presented by the EUSA Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, who gave an overview of activities from the last meeting, and shared the future outlooks.



EUSA Treasurer Mr Lorenz Ursprung presented the financial report with budget realisation and plans until the end of the year.



Sports events were discussed in more details, presented by EUSA Sports Manager Mr Besim Aliti. Mr Aliti presented in details the reports on this years' European Universities Championships, where we witness a new record of having over 4.100 participants.



The future editions of the European Universities Games - Coimbra 2018, Belgrade 2020 and bidding process for next Games were discussed next, being the largest university multi-sport events in Europe, and becoming very recognisable EUSA flagship events.



Sports part concluded with the reports and discussions on the EUSA endorsed events and partnership sport events. EUSA Executive Committee also discussed additions of new sports to the EUSA sports events.



EUSA Communications and Projects Manager Mr Andrej Pisl shared the excellent news related to the EU-supported projects. Through the EUSA Institute, a 2-year project Empowered Nation (ENAcT) on encouraging social inclusion and equal opportunities in sport was confirmed for funding through Erasmus+ project.



The Institute will also form a partnership consortium in some other projects which were selected for funding in the field of promotion of education in and through sport with special focus on skills development and supporting the implementation of the EU Guidelines on Dual Careers of Athlete; as well as in the field of encouraging social inclusion and equal opportunities in sport: Equality Toolkit for Generation Z (GETZ); Model for Parents of Athletes In Academics (EMPATIA) and SMART SPORT. Two additional projects with EUSA and EUSA Institute as indirect partners were confirmed for funding as well - the European Universities Games 2018 (EUG2018) and a project on Dual Career and qualification in sports.



Other projects, directly managed by EUSA were presented as well, many of them also supported by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), including the activities related to the work and governance of the organisation, sports events and joint events.



Upcoming events were discussed as well, besides the sports events also the next EUSA Executive Committee meetings and EUSA General Assembly and Gala, which will be held in Madrid on April 13 and 14, 2018. The Committee confirmed the postponing of the FISU-EUSA-NUSA seminar, initially planned in December this year to 2018.



International cooperation covered the development related to the EUSA members, FISU and continental federations, and partner organisations.



EUSA member organisation from Germany - the German University Sports Federation (ADH) attended the meeting, being represented by ADH Secretary General Mr Christoph Fischer and Board member Mr Joerg Foerster, who is also the EUSA Technical Delegate for Volleyball.



The meeting officially concluded with internal matters, starting with the reports of the Student Commission given by its Chair Ms Anna Edes, Education Commission by its Chair Mr Milan Zvan, Media and Communications Commission by its Chair Mr Bill Thompson and Rules and Regulations Commission, Chaired by EUSA President Mr Adam Roczek.



Executive Committee also discussed the report by the Finances and Marketing Commission, presented by its Chair Mr Lorenz Ursprung and member Mr Bill Thompson. They also presented the draft of the EUSA strategy recommendations and consultations, which will be the base for the EUSA strategy, to be developed in cooperation with the EUSA Commissions and office, as well as with the EUSA members.



The organisation of the EUSA Executive Committee meeting is also supported by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The meeting also included a rich #beactive programme, including the participation in IDUS activities, morning runs, active transport and adventure expedition in Tartu, as well as taking part in the official opening of the European Week of Sport on September 23.