Students play a crucial role in the growth of university sport

75 National University Sport Federations, 3 Continental University Sport Federations and a total of 120 participants joined the FISU Student Ambassadors programme during the September 2024 online event.

September isn’t only the month of the International Day of University Sport (IDUS, on 20 September), it is also a key month in the , with the second part of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy (FVLA) taking place over two days where the future generation of university sports enthusiasts meet online.

This unique educational event – which finishes with the launch of a new season of the FISU Student Ambassadors Programme – is designed to give emerging leaders a variety of lectures and seminars about international university sport and how to manage volunteer programmes and then apply them in their National (NUSF) or Continental (CUSF) University Sport Federations.

The Student Ambassador’s engagement

This 2024 edition was a great success, with a total of 120 participants who are motivated to spread the passion of university sports and learn and share their knowledge in volunteer management.

This season, Student Ambassadors were involved in almost every FISU World University Championship in different roles: volunteers, members of the organising committees or officials. The @fisuambassadors Instagram account is also run by students and they moderated most of the sessions on 13 and 14 September.

Their engagement was one of the central topics of the discussions, for example when FISU President Leonz Eder and FISU Vice-President Jin Liu highlighted the unique energy, optimism, and creativity students bring to university sports and how student ambassadors play a crucial role to maximise impact and grow university sports at all levels.

Multiple opportunities

The event was also aiming to showcase the many opportunities offered to students at FISU, like the Young Reporters Programme (the next applications will be open this autumn for the ), the possibility to work as volunteers during the FISU World University Championships, the next one being in India in November, or at World Cups (3×3 Basketball in China), and also during the FISU World University Games. During their time as ambassadors, these students can also learn how to manage volunteers at events. The Springboard Programme, set up by members of the FISU Education Committee, links mentors from the FISU Family to the alumni of the the FVLA. And those who have the right amount of time and dedication can also apply to become members of the FISU Student Committee.

A strong testimony

Jackeline Torres Vargas from Costa Rica experienced the Student Ambassadors Programme to its fullest. She was able to travel to FISU headquarters in Lausanne to witness the FVLA from the other side of her computer screen. And to catch up with members of FISU’s Education and Culture Department and with President Leonz Eder.

“Jackie” helps to run the @fisuambassadors Instagram page and and has become a team leader for new students. “Additionally, I had the honour being an attaché at the FISU World University Cycling Championship in Costa Rica. I also co-founded the first University Volunteer Leaders Academy in Costa Rica, with two other FISU Student Ambassadors. Thanks to this initiative, we are now working in collaboration with our federation, FedeU.”

Cultural programme and leadership

But of course, students also did a lot more than listen and learn. Part of the programme was cultural and focused on inclusion, with a sign language crash course given by Diana Barasa from Kenya before participants were asked to show a sentimental object and tell its story to an audience from all over the world.

Different forms of leadership were then discussed in smaller breakout rooms, including the concept of ‘servant leadership, where the leader is at the bottom, holding up the weight of everyone else.”

And, as often with students, the event ended up with a party and a set of fun games that can be played together from afar. All participants left their heads full of ideas and their eyes full of hope.

Written by Thérèse Courvoisier, information and pictures courtesy of Albina Rakhmatullina