EUSA Executive Committee meets in Zagreb
The second in-person EUSA Executive Committee (EC) meeting of 2025 was held on October 9th in Zagreb, Croatia, marking the beginning of a week filled with significant events.
The session set the framework for the days ahead, as the General Assembly and Strategic Dialogue are also scheduled to take place before the week concludes.
The meeting was hosted by the Croatian Academic Sports Federation (CASF), whose warm hospitality and strong organisational support played a vital role in the smooth execution of the event. Their efforts once again showcased Croatia’s dedication to promoting and developing university sports at the European level.
CASF President and EUSA 1st Vice-President Haris Pavletic welcomed all the Meeting attendees, guaranteeing the best conditions for the three-day event.
Besides the EUSA Executive Committee, the meeting was attended by FISU President Leonz Eder, FISU Secretary General Matthias Remund, and Marzel Wyden, EUSA Legal Advisor.
Mr Eder underlined the status of EUSA as the most structured continental association, for its deep and detailed schedule of sports and educational events; while Mr Remund, excited for his first time at an EUSA event, confirmed his enthusiasm in getting to build an even better and operational cooperation with the European University Sports Association.
EUSA President Adam Roczek commended the Croatian Academic Sports Federation (CASF) for its invaluable contributions, underlining its strong commitment to fostering and advancing university sports in Croatia. He noted CASF’s growing impact within the European university sports community, stressing that their active engagement and dedication are essential to the continued success and progress of the movement.
President Roczek officially opened the meeting, starting with the approval of the agenda, followed by the adoption of the minutes from both the first in-person Executive Committee meeting and the preceding online meetings.
Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik and Treasurer Francis M. Cirianni presented reports from the Office and the Finance Department, including a review of budget performance for the last part of the year. New membership fees for 2026–2027 were also approved.
Special attention was given to the Runners4All project – European Students Run, which will see the participation of over 1,900 students. The presentation highlighted the event’s goals, detailed planning, and coordination efforts, as well as initiatives to boost student involvement. Focus was also placed on fostering inclusivity, promoting physical activity, and enhancing the overall.
The next session was largely devoted to European Universities' competitions, offering a comprehensive overview of ongoing and upcoming events.
Detailed progress on the European Universities Championships (EUC) 2025 was presented by Liam Smith, Director of Sports Events, alongside preliminary updates for EUC 2026 and 2027, presented by EUSA Sports Manager Miha Zvan. Preparations for the European Universities Games (EUG) 2026 were examined in depth, reflecting substantial advancements and careful planning.
In addition, the committee reviewed reports on endorsed and partnership events, such as the EUSA Patronage & Cup and the FISU World Cup, underscoring the strong and continuing collaboration between EUSA and its partners, during the last year and the upcoming future.
Updates were provided by EUSA Director of Education and Development, Sara Rozman, on the upcoming EUSA General Assembly, the EUSA-FISU Strategic Dialogue, and the EUSA Winter Forum (held next December during EUC Winter Sports 2025), underlining EUSA’s commitment to dialogue, governance, and educational initiatives.
The Projects section showcased EUSA’s strong presence in the European sports and education landscape. Andrej Pisl, Director Project and Policy, reported on the current projects and initiatives co-funded by the European Union (EU) through the Erasmus+ Programme and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) running in 2025, alongside updates on applications for 2026.
EUSA is engaged in several projects and, through its institute, currently leads several EU-funded projects: European Solidarity Corps (ESC), Erasmus+ Internship, Discovering university sport and supporting dual career (DiscoverU), Fit4 Green, European Week of Winter Sports (EWWS), European Youth and Sport Together (EUYOUSPORT), Youth Individual Sports Mindset (YouMind), Sports Clubs Integrating Organised Networks (FUSION), ERASMUS+ youth mobility and youth workers mobility projects.
Additional reports on EUSA-led or partnered initiatives reaffirmed the organisation’s role as a leading player in youth engagement and innovation through sport.
The committee acknowledged the efforts of EUSA Members, Associated Members, and Partner Federations through activity reports and strategic reviews, presented by Director of Sports Events Liam Smith. These insights underscored EUSA’s continued commitment to international collaboration, diversity, and the development of sustainable partnerships.
The meeting also featured an update from the EUSA Ethical Panel, reaffirming the organisation’s dedication to integrity and good governance, together with the formation of a new commission which will oversee these themes until the beginning of next spring.
The session concluded with a gesture of appreciation for the outgoing board members, as this marked the last Executive Committee meeting with this board.
Each member was presented with a commemorative pen in recognition of their fruitful mandates, dedication, and hard work over the past four years, honouring their commitment and valuable contributions to the organisation.