EUSA Year Magazine 2024-2025

EUROPEAN ATHLETE AS STUDENT (EAS) NETWORK

The European Athlete as Student (EAS) network was founded in 2004 with

support of the EU Commission during the European Year of Education Through

Sport (EYES), with the aim of supporting European athletes in combining high

performance sport and education.

The European Athlete as Student
(EAS) dual career network
hosted its annual Conference
and General Assembly in
Katowice, Poland, from October
1-3, 2024, at the Academy of
Physical Education (AWF). The
event brought together experts,
researchers, and stakeholders
to discuss the challenges and
opportunities in balancing sports
and academics.

The conference opened with
key lectures from distinguished
speakers, including Adam Zajac
on AWF’s legacy as a “School of
Champions,” Izabela Pelczynska
on Erasmus+ funding for dual
careers, Bill Thompson on FISU’s
global approach to dual careers,
and Antonio Tessitore on the
collaboration between EAS and
ENSE.

A highlight of the event was

the presentation of the Bengt

Nybelius Scholarship Award to

Flavia Guidotti for outstanding

research in dual careers. The

celebration continued with a

tribute to EAS’s 20th anniversary,

reflecting on its history and major

achievements.

Subsequent sessions featured

presentations on university-

level dual careers and European

projects, with insights shared

by experts and organizations,

including Andrej Pisl from the

European University Sports

Association (EUSA), who

introduced the DiscoverU project.

A dynamic panel discussion on

“Sport in School and University,”

chaired by Piotr Rodak, featured

Olympians and academic

leaders, including Weronika

Nowakowska, Marianna Pikul,

Krzysztof Wilusz, and Maciej

Wyderka. They provided

firsthand perspectives on the

importance of structured support

for student-athletes.

The EAS General Assembly

reviewed the organization’s

activities, finances, and future

initiatives, led by EAS President

Laura Capranica, Treasurer

Mojca Doupona, and Executive

Committee member Ole Keldorf.

The event concluded with

discussions on national and

institutional approaches to dual

careers.

Next year’s EAS Conference and

General Assembly will take place

in Zagreb, Croatia, hosted by the

Croatian Olympic Committee.

MORE INFO:

http://www.dualcareer.eu

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11. COOPERATION AND ALLIANCES