EUSA office prepares for 2019 season

EUSA office prepares for 2019 season

The EUSA office readied themselves for a busy summer ahead by enjoying the twilight of winter in Slovenia’s Soca Valley on a three-day teambuilding camp between March 20-22.

All ten members of the office, which is based in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, enjoyed a valuable few days away from their desks and computers to get to know their colleagues more away from the typical working environment, enjoying the natural beauty of northern Slovenia while also planning and discussing the way forward for 2019.

The EUSA office core team is composed of Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, Sports Manager Mr Besim Aliti, Communications and Projects Manager Mr Andrej Pisl, Education and Development Manager Ms Sara Rozman, Office Assistant Ms Danijela Smeh, Assistant Sports Manager Mr Liam Smith and Communications Officer Mr Fabio De Dominicis. We are currently also hosting two volunteers, Mr Mariano Carcatella and Mr Kieran Slocum, as interns in the office, while Lea Medvesek, who will join the team next month as Sports Assistant, was also present.


EUSA team outside Trenta Museum

The aim of the team-building getaway was to enrich social relations, strengthen the cooperation within the organisation and prepare for upcoming tasks in what will be another busy year ahead. The teambuilding also emphasised the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet, enjoying and preserving nature, reinforcing the #beactive campaign and commitment to sport and recreation.

The first stop on the way to Soca Valley was Kranjska Gora, where the team visited the Nordic Centre Planica and were privileged to see a handful of warm-up runs on the famous ski flying hill as athletes readied themselves for the ski jumping World Cup that was taking place over the weekend.
 

EUSA teambuilding hotel view


The next stop was Trenta Museum, where the museum curator gave the team a tour while explaining the topography of the Triglav National Park, the wildlife in the area as well as age-old traditions, before a lunch of local cuisine was enjoyed.

The afternoon was spent listening to an engaging talk by Mario Sambolec, also known as Dr Feelgood, on ‘Understanding the basic principles of healthy diet’, where the sport-oriented office was able to fire away a number of questions regarding healthy eating habits and nutrition.

EUSA teambuilding skiing

The second day began with much excitement as the team first received all their equipment before being transported to Kanin Ski Resort and enjoying a morning of skiing on the picturesque mountains. It was especially exciting for three of the office’s members, who attempted skiing for the very first time.

After lunch the team took part in a team-building workshop, breaking off into groups to discuss office dynamics, strengths and areas of improvements, discussing both individual and team areas of improvement and concrete ways in which to implement positive change. The workshop was immensely beneficial and left each member motivated and eager continue building the already positive, professional and efficient working space the EUSA office enjoys.
 

EUSA Teambuilding Workshop

After dinner, the team embarked on a full-moon hike to a waterfall just outside the small village of Bovec, where again a sense of camaraderie and unison was felt.

After breakfast the following morning, the team set out for a short hike to Kozjak waterfall, the emerald water that enters the Soca River making for breath-taking photos in the beautiful natural surroundings.

EUSA teambuilding hike

After then stopping by at the equally-picturesque Tolmin Gorge before a hearty lunch, the office settled in for the return trip back to Ljubljana, feeling invigorated and ever more ready for the upcoming Championships season, which is now only just about two months away! Before that though, we still have preparation meetings for EUSA events in Aveiro, Portugal later this year, as well as the FISU-EUSA Seminar taking place in Slovenia next month.

We are ready, are you?