European University Sports Association

History

EUSA was founded in November 1999 in Vienna, Austria by 25 founding member organisation as a federation and network of national university sports organisations from Europe.

In 2000, the first General Assembly of EUSA was held in Paris, France. Four more countries became members and the Assembly approved the introduction of European Championships based on University teams for 2001. In 2001, the first European University Championships were organised - in basketball and volleyball.

In 2002, the First EUSA Symposium took place in Nicosia, Cyprus. The General Assembly established the EUSA Student Commission in order to enhance the participation of students in European university sports.

The federation constantly grew - both in membership, as well as activities. In 2004, there were 9 sports in the programme of the European University Championships. The 3rd EUSA Symposium was held in Falun, Sweden and at the end of the year, EUSA published the 1st EUSA Magazine. At the General Assembly in Nottingham, the United Kingdom, the Assembly passed several amendments of the statutes. Among others, the new position of a Treasurer and a non-voting, paid Secretary General was installed.

In 2006, the sports events were renamed European Universities Championships, to stress the universities being the participants in the events. The first edition of the EUSA Convention for the Organisers of the European Universities Championships was organised in Eindhoven, the Netherlands where also the first EUSA multi-sport event was held, hosting championships in volleyball, football and tennis as well as EUSA Cup in Water Polo.

EUSA celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009, the main celebration was held at the General Assembly in Vienna, Austria. Special recognitions were awarded at the occasion of 10th anniversary for achievements 1999-2009. 15 European Universities Championships were organised, participation number reached 3000 student athletes, representing 417 universities from 32 countries. 2009 was also marked by the death of one of the initiators and the first President of the European University Sports Association, Mr Enno Harms.

In 2010, EUSA opened its new office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where the secretariat is located. The 1st European Universities Games to be held in 2012 were attributed to the city of Cordoba, Spain.

In 2011, 16 European Universities Championships were organised, participation number exceeded 3500 student athletes which sets a new record for participation in EUSA's events. In November 2011, the 2014 European Universities Games were attributed to Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Mission

EUSA mission is to maintain and develop regular communication between the national federations; to co-ordinate competitions, conferences, mass-sport-events and other activities both at university and national level; to represent university sport in general and the member federations in particular in relation to European organisations; to disseminate throughout Europe the ideals of university sport in close collaboration with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and other European organisations.

Sport events

EUSA is the licence-holder and coordinator of European Universities Championships, European Universities Games and EUSA Cups. EUSA may also award the title of EUSA Patronage to university sport events in Europe.

There are currently 19 sports on the programme of European Universities Championships, including individual and team sports: Badminton, Basketball, Basketball 3x3, Beach Volleyball, Bridge, Chess, Football, Futsal, Golf, Handball, Judo, Karate, Rowing, Rugby sevens, Sport Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis and Volleyball.

European Universities Games (EUG) is a multi-sport event, encompassing 10 sports - 8 compulsory sports: basketball, football, futsal, handball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, table tennis and two optional sports (out of 4): beach volleyball, golf, rowing or rugby sevens. The first edition of the EUG will be held in Cordoba, Spain between July 13 and 24, 2012. The second edition of the EUG was held between July 24 and August 8, 2014 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The third edition has been attributed to be held in 2016 in Zagreb and Rijeka, Croatia. The fourth edition of the EUG will be held in 2018 in Coimbra, Portugal.

The title of EUSA Cup is awarded to those sport events that are yet to be considered to be put on the list of European Universities Championships. EUSA also grants its patronage to already established university sport events in Europe, helping to promote them through its networks.

Educational programme

Apart from the sports programme and activities, EUSA also supports and encourages educational activities in the field of student sport. These are mainly realised by the three events organised by EUSA: EUSA Seminars, EUSA Symposiums and EUSA Conventions.

EUSA Seminars are organised biannually, and usually accompany the General Assemblies and focus on subjects which are of interest for the member organisations.

EUSA Symposiums are also organised biannually, and focus in active inclusion of students and cooperation with the universities. EUSA Conventions are organised annually as a training programme for the organisers of the European Universities Championships and European Universities Games.

Other Projects

To support the development of University Sport in Europe, EUSA is also implementing or participating in different programs and projects.

Since 2005, through its Student Commission, EUSA has implemented a Volunteer Program. It allows student from all over Europe to take part in the different European Universities Championships as volunteers via a network connecting them to the organisers.

In 2011, EUSA became partner of an EU-funded project (funded by the European Commission in the preparatory Action in the field of Sport 2011-2012): the European Anti-Doping Initiative. This project has for chief goal to establish a European-wide "Anti-Doping Mentality" in the youth sector.

Emblem, flag and anthem

EUSA logo or emblem consists of a blue letter "U" on a white background, with 12 yellow stars surrounding it. Below there is the abbreviation of the organisation - EUSA, in blue letters.

The EUSA flag includes the EUSA emblem centred on a flag made out of white material.

EUSA adopted the international university anthem Gaudeamus Igitur as its own anthem.

Structure

Highest governing body of EUSA is the General Assembly which represents the members (currently 45 national university sports associations). The General Assembly elects the Executive Committee (consisting of 13 members) for a period of four years and it takes all the necessary decisions for the smooth running of the organisation. Permanent and ad hoc commissions advise the Executive Committee in their specialised areas (Technical Commission, Medical Commission, Student Commission, Gender Commission, etc.).

EUSA is a member of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The current EUSA president is Mr. Adam Roczek from Poland.