EUSA’S MOST
SUCCESSFUL
NUSA AWARD
(2009-2019)
At the occasion of EUSA’s 20th anniversary celebrations held in Aveiro,
Portugal, the German University Sports Federation (ADH) was recognised as
EUSA’s Most Successful NUSA over the previous 10-year period (2009-2019).
ADH President Mr Joerg Foerster discuss-
es what the award means o the German
association as he fondly reminisces over
some of his favourite EUSA memories.
Congratulations on ADH’s success in
being named EUSA’s Most Successful
NUSA over the last decade! What does
this award mean for the federation?
The German University Sport Federation is
honoured to be awarded EUSA’s Most Suc-
cessful NUSA over the last decade. This
underlines not only the commitment of
ADH as one of the founding members, but
it also points out that German universi-
ties and students greatly value the EUSA
competitions and the opportunity for Euro-
pean exchange and networking among
themselves.
On the other hand, this success is also
a mandate for the future to continue to
commit ourselves, so that the successful
work of EUSA can be continued.
What do you believe was the biggest
contributing factor in the federation’s
success over the last ten years, in
terms of sports achievements, and in
general?
Decisive for the success was on one hand
the differentiated national competition
programme of ADH, which was very well
received by the students at the member
universities and thus enabled ADH to send
high-performing athletes to the EUSA
competitions.
On the other hand, it is also the con-
tinuously growing quality of the EUSA
competitions themselves that makes it
attractive for our students to qualify. That
has created a positive interaction for both
EUSA and ADH.How important a role does EUSA play
in developing university sport among
student-athletes in Europe?EUSA events are an ideal combination of
top level and high level grassroot sports,
and the participants take home to their
own universities and share a significant
experience. High performance-oriented
top athletes and, depending on the
national qualification system and level
of performance in the recent country,
athletes acting more at performance-
oriented mass sports level, meet in the
same competition, share experiences, find
friends and overcome nationalities.EUSA events make a significant contribu-
tion to the European idea of sport and
to the process of internationalisation of
Higher Education Institutions all over
Europe.What in your opinion makes EUSA com-
petitions so highly-anticipated among
student-athletes across the continent?For students from all over Europe, EUSA
events are a great opportunity not only to
experience an international competition
at a high sporting level as a spectator, but
to also be an active part of it, a participant
performing at the best possible level.We can learn the pride and enthusiasm for
being able to run your own university and
nation from the extent to which the par-
ticipants report about it on social media.And yet the focus of the experience
reports on the different social mediachannels ae time and time again about en-
counters with fellow students from other
countries, some of which are continued
after the events by visiting and returning
once more.Finally, what are some of your per-
sonal favourite memories from a EUSA
competition/event?The most valuable memories for me are
always linked with hospitality. Of course,
sport is always in focus for all of us and
as a former volleyball player and coach,
I immediately have rallies in mind and
extraordinary performances by individual
athletes.But I go home from every event with the
experience of making new friends; I’ve met
so many dedicated persons, volunteers
and officials since my first EUSA event in
2007 in Valencia that I cannot point out a
single one.Honestly to be part of the Organis-
ing Committee of a EUSA event as the
Tournament Director of the EUG Vol-
leyball 2009 in Hamburg, and to face
and overcome all the related challenges,
including a fire in the athletes’ hotel, cre-
ated memories that I will never forget, and
nevertheless “Espresso con Varnelli” will
be a favourite combination for the rest of
my life!I’m really proud to be part of that great
family of University Sport and I’m very
thankful for the possibility to be able to
contribute to EUSA for better student
sport in Europe.