The European Athletes as Students (EAS) network successfully concluded its 22nd Annual Conference and General Assembly, hosted by the University of Latvia from October 6-8, 2025. The event served as a critical platform, gathering 82 delegates from 17 countries to facilitate high-level exchanges and advance the Dual Career (DC) policy agenda across the continent.

Welcoming the participants at the opening ceremony were Prof. Ilvis Abelkalns, President of the Organising Committee, along with Enno Ence (Vice Rector of the University of Latvia), Laura Capranica (EAS President), Raimonds Lazdins (President of the National Olympic Committee), and Agita Abele (President of the Latvian Universities Sports Federation and EUSA Executive Committee Member).

Izabela Pelczynska (European Education and Culture Executive Agency – EACEA) gave a key lecture detailing ERASMUS+ funding opportunities for Dual Careers, which successfully stimulated ideas for new collaborations among participants. Afterwards, Sara Massini, Secretary General of ENGSO, presented on the relationship between grassroots and elite sport, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between EAS and ENGSO.

The program explored diverse aspects of the Dual Career strategy. Fernando Parente (FISU Executive Committee) addressed a global approach for stakeholders, while Edgars Pukinsks (Latvian Ministry of Education and Science) focused on the national theme of Legacy Dual Careers – double impact, double responsibility. Joerg Foerster (ADH and EUSA Executive Committee Member) then closed the session by highlighting the Legacy of the FISU World University Games, particularly concerning Student-Para-Athletes.

Additionally, Olga Papale, the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship recipient from the University of Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale, Italy, presented her research: “Eating Right, Sleeping Tight? The Evaluation of the Student-Athlete Paradox.”

The afternoon program opened with Felipe Rodrigues da Costa (President of the Brazilian Association of Dual Career) discussing the challenges and opportunities for implementing and developing a student-athlete support program in the Federal District of Brazil. Afterwards, attendees participated in three Working Group Activities that focused on four transitional themes: Dual Career in High School, the transition to University, Dual Career in Universities, and the transition from a sports career to employment.

On the second day, the Conference was organised at the Rimi Olympic.
The EAS General Assembly, directed by Secretary Ole Keldorf, successfully ratified the network's direction. The key institutional decisions included the confirmation of "Sports" as the official EAS scientific journal, and the endorsement of the new Next Generation EAS Committee, tasked with enhancing communication channels and selecting the 2026 Bengt Nybelius Award recipient.

The conference location for 2026 was also announced: The 23rd EAS Conference will be hosted in Oulu, Finland, from October 5-7.
The Riga gathering successfully reinforced EAS’s commitment to forging robust, supportive pathways for European student-athletes, ensuring their excellence in both academic and athletic pursuits.

More information about EAS on the official website: dualcareer.eu