Swiss University Sports Federation (SHSV) held their General Assembly in Ittigen near Bern on March 15, bringing some important changes as well. Mike Kurt was appointed new President of the federation, and the delegates adopted a new strategy, mission, structures and name of the organisation.

The new President became the Swiss Olympic Executive Council member Mr Mike Kurt. The former world-class canoeist and university world championship competitor succeeds Mr Andreas Csonka, who is retiring.



Outgoing President Mr Csonka was awarded honorary membership for his many years of outstanding work and commitment to Swiss university sport. Speaking about his departure, he said the time for the change was just right. “In recent years we have succeeded in achieving many long-term goals: bringing the Winter Universiade to Switzerland, establishing the ‘Top Sport and Study’ programme across Switzerland and, not least reorganising the federation structures. Combined with the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, this is right basis for a generational change at the top.”



The delegates also approved a new mission statement, a strategy up to 2021 and an adjustment in the organisation structure. While the strategy ensures continuity of the federation’s chosen path, its restructured organisation will enable it to make the most of the Winter Universiade 2021 for university sport in the long term and involve key figures from local university sport organisations. This also encompassed the motion to change the name from Schweizer Hochschulsport-Verband SHSV to Swiss University Sports SUS. The federation logo will be updated accordingly as well.



At the Delegate Assembly the federation not only welcomed a new president, but also a new member: the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), located in Ticino. The admittance of new member means that all seven Swiss universities of applied science are now members of the national university sport federation.



The Delegate Assembly also provided the official backdrop for the Swiss Students Sport Awards 2017 ceremony: worth CHF 1500, the awards were bestowed on one summer and one winter sportswoman. Track athlete Ms Salomé Kora from St. Gallen University of Teacher Education was honoured for her outstanding achievements at the Summer Universiade in Taipei. The athlete from LC Brühl and her team mates Cornelia Halbheer, Aila del Ponte and Selina von Jackowski won a gold in the relay race and bronze in the 100 metres. After a long break due to injury, ETH student Ms Miriam Wuffli secured a sensational silver at the Winter Universiade in Almaty in snowboard cross, ending her career with a major triumph. The 27-year-old will now pass on her expertise to talented young athletes from the North-East region as trainer of the Boarding Association Switzerland East (BASE).



The next highlight in the calendar of international university sport is coming up soon. On 7 April 2018 the university world championship in cross country running takes place at the University of St. Gallen. The organisers are delighted by the record participation with students coming from five continents, including a 6-strong Swiss team. Overall, top sport officer Ms Marilen Matter estimates that this year the federation will send teams to 15 university world championships in various sporting disciplines from modern pentathlon and beach volleyball to floorball.



Mr Leonz Eder presented the involvement of Swiss university teams at the European Universities Championships 2017 and announced that delegations from several Swiss universities will also take part in the European Universities Games this year in Coimbra.

For more information, please see www.shsv.ch.