Kazan hosted the second edition of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy at the Youth Centre Volga between June 14 and 21, bringing together over 110 student representatives from 92 countries, who have been given fantastic opportunities to learn from leading experts in the world of sport and becoming FISU Ambassadors.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU), in cooperation with the local hosts, offered the participants unique learning opportunities. Over the period of eight days, the programme covered the topics of Team Work, FISU, Communications, Media, Volunteer Management, Group Projects, FIFA World Cup 2018 Experience and Closing. Speakers from all over the world shared their experiences and the participants had the chance to ask practical questions regarding the topics presented.



At the Opening, FISU President Mr Oleg Matytsin was joined by Mr Alexey Pesoshin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, and other distinguished guests, including FISU Steering Committee members, for a short cultural show and ceremony. Mr Matytsin praised the role that first year Academy graduates have already played in sport, including helping to deliver the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade, and expressed his expectations for the new edition to carry the legacy of volunteerism to even greater heights.



In cooperation with the local organising committee of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, all participants also had an opportunity to watch a match at the Kazan Arena, main venue of the 2013 Summer Universiade. As part of the practical work, they were also assisting the local volunteers of the event.



At the event, the European University Sports Association (EUSA) was represented as Mr Moritz Belmann as a young delegate and Mr Andrej Pisl as a speaker, presenting the activities of EUSA.



Ms Anna Edes, EUSA Student Commission Chair and Ms Annet Fodor, former EUSA EVS volunteer and coordinator of the ENACT project - both selected top 10 participants from last year's edition - played a role of mentors. EUSA Student Commission member Ms Katarzyna Czalej also attended the event, as the young delegate from Poland.



At the closing event, certificates of appointment and special FISU Ambassador pins were awarded to the participants at the Kazan city hall. FISU President Mr Matytsin personally presented the marks of distinction to every Academy participant.



Academy's delegates were also assigned a group project to work on, fostering communication and a chance to put into practice some of the things they had learned. The projects were then presented before a panel of judges, led by FISU President. The points given by the judges were added to the individual scores of the participants, with the top 10 attendees offered the opportunity to work at the FISU Winter and Summer Universiade events in Krasnoyarsk and Napoli respectively.



Newly appointed Ambassadors will serve as an important link between FISU and the general student community, helping both FISU and their continental and national university sports federations to be more visible. Top students of the Academy will be given the chance to work at FISU events: Mahela Bandera (Sri Lanka) and Antoine Attard (Malta) will present the FISU Ambassador Programme at the FISU Forum in Krasnoyarsk in August. Eight will join FISU Staff at the Universiades next year: Maja Andersson (Sweden), Abassier Leukers (Namibia), Adam Pratchett (United Kingdom), Moritz Belmann (Germany, representing EUSA), Meaghan Kempson (Australia), Kristy Havill (New Zealand), Katarzyna Czalej (Poland) and Celina Toth (Canada).



EUSA would like to thank FISU for the opportunity to take part in the event, and congratulate the young delegates, especially the two EUSA Student Commission members for their engagement and achievements.

For more information, please see www.fisu.net.