The European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) held a meeting in Grosuplje, Slovenia, which provided an opportunity to exchange views on shared priorities and explore potential areas of cooperation.

The meeting took place close to the Slovenian capital city, where UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin met with EUSA President Haris Pavletic and EUSA Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik for an exchange on the role of sport and education in supporting student-athletes and creating opportunities for their future.

A key topic of discussion was the importance of dual careers, enabling athletes to pursue higher education alongside their sporting ambitions. While a career in professional football can offer significant opportunities, it is equally important to prepare athletes for life beyond competitive sport. Access to education and the development of transferable skills can help student-athletes build a more sustainable future, both during and after their sporting careers.

The discussion also addressed opportunities to advance women’s football through university sport, recognising the role of educational institutions and university sports organisations in promoting participation and supporting women in balancing academic and athletic commitments.

These priorities align with UEFA’s United for Success and Unstoppable strategies, which provide a framework for addressing challenges and creating opportunities within football. Through university sport, EUSA aims to contribute to an environment in which student-athletes can develop their sporting potential while pursuing their academic goals.

The exchange reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and cooperation between European sports organisations in strengthening the links between sport and education. EUSA looks forward to continuing discussions with UEFA and exploring opportunities for future collaboration in support of student-athletes and the further development of university sport across Europe.