Italian University Sport Centre (CUSI) hosted the Executive Committee meeting of the European University Sports Association in Rome on October 26 and 27, 2018.

EUSA President Mr Adam Roczek and Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, accompanied by EUSA and CUSI Executive Committee member Mr Francis M. M. Cirianni first visited the CUSI headquarters in Rome, meeting the CUSI President Mr Lorenzo Lentini and Secretary General Mr Antonio Dima a day prior to the official start of the meeting.



Executive Committee members, auditors, Honorary President, staff and invited guests were welcomed at the meeting by EUSA President Mr Roczek, who thanked Mr Cirianni for the invitation to host the meeting in Italy, which will host next year also the 30th Summer Universiade in the Naples – Napoli 2019.



Office report and highlights of the activities from the past meeting was given by EUSA Secretary General Mr Pecovnik, including the European Universities Games Coimbra 2018, EUSA Convention Kranjska Gora, celebration of the International Day of University Sport (IDUS) #letsidus and the European Week of Sport #beactive, results of the EU Erasmus+ funding for 2018 and other activities.



Financial report with provisional budget realisation was presented by EUSA Treasurer Mr Lorenz Ursprung, also introducing the report on the development fund and the development of EUSA strategy measurements and action plan.



EUSA Executive Committee members were presented the report on this year’s largest university sport event in Europe – the European Universities Games Coimbra 2018. EUSA report was presented by the Vice-President and Chair of the EUG2018 SCAC Mr Haris Pavletic.



On behalf of the Organising Committee, the report was also presented by the President of the Portuguese University Sport Federation (FADU) Mr Daniel Monteiro and EUG2018 Secretary General Mr Mario Santos, highlighting the successes and legacy of the event.



A report on the upcoming European Universities Games – Belgrade (SRB) 2020, Lodz (POL) 2022 and Debrecen/Miskolc (HUN) 2024 – was also presented and discussed.



EUSA Sports Manager Mr Besim Aliti gave an introduction of the sports events report, including the update on preparation of the upcoming European Universities Championships 2019 and proposal for the 2021 bidding procedure, which will open this year. Other sports events and activities were also presented, including the patronage of the EUSA endorsed events and FISU world university leagues.



The topic of projects received a special attention as well, with the projects supported by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and those supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. EUSA Education and Development Manager Ms Sara Rozman presented the latest news related to EU projects, sharing the news about the successful funding of new projects and gave a report on the ongoing and concluded projects.



EUSA own projects were presented as well, and the #myeusa campaign which was launched this summer, was highlighted as a novelty, combining awareness raising, promotion and also the traditional photo competition in a new format.



Executive committee members proposed the FISU Seminar for Europe 2019 to be held in the spring in Slovenia, and the 2019 EUSA Extraordinary Assembly, Conference and Gala to be held in the fall in Portugal. Details are to be communicated to the members shortly.



On the topic of international cooperation, the activities of member federations, FISU and other continental university sport federations, as well as partner and other organisations were presented. Special focus was given on the cooperation between the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the European Olympic Academies (EOA), which are to be defined by a memorandum of understanding, soon to be signed.



Chairs of the EUSA Commissions, assisted by EUSA staff, presented their reports and gave updates on the activities; Ms Anna Edes on the Student Commission; Ms Ivana Ertlova on the Technical Commission; Mr Aitor Canibe Sanchez on the Equal Opportunities Commission; Mr Milan Zvan on the Education Commission; Mr Bill Thompson on the Media and Communication Commission and Mr Lorenz Ursprung on the Finance and Marketing Commission.


 
Executive Committee members also nominated the Technical Delegate for Water Polo – Mr Attila Marosvari, and the Chair of the Student Commission for the period 2018-2020 – Ms Anna Edes. The nomination of Mr Marosvari completes the EUSA Technical Commission, and the rest of the Student Commission members will be nominated by December 1.



The meeting in Rome was attended also by the representatives of the Finnish Student Sports Federation (OLL), President Ms Soile Koski-Aho and Secretary General Ms Elina Havu. After the initial presentation of the organisation, the discussion focused on the topic of safeguarding in sport and how to work together to prevent potential cases of harassment and abuse and if they do occur, to have more detailed incidence management policies in place.



On the invitation of CUSI, the participants were also invited to experience traditional Italian cuisine, announcing the festivities to come in 2019.

EUSA Executive Committee meeting in Rome was supported by FISU and CUSI. The next meeting will be held in March 2019 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia during the 29th Winter Universiade.