EUSA Year Magazine 2022-2023

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The success seen in this field at the European Universities Games in Lodz,

this year, which included para table tennis in its official program, as well

as sitting volleyball and para weightlifting as side events, showcased

that the European University Sports Association continuously promotes

equality, respect and full inclusion of student athletes, while simultaneously

promoting the spirit of fair play and sport values, at all our events.

Gender

The importance of gender
balance is something that
EUSA does not take for granted
and something that, as an
organisation EUSA can proudly
state the fact that all our
sporting events are inclusive
of all genders. Having said
this, when we reflect on the
gender balance of the European
Universities Games participants,
athletes, coaches, and officials,
we can say that 60% of the
athletes were men and 40%
were women, while among the
officials 77% were men and 23%
were women. Although the ratio
is tending to improve over the
years, we acknowledge there is
more to be done and we strive
to continue the road towards a
more balanced participation of

male and female participants at

EUSA future events.

Socio-Economic Status

One of the aims of EUSA is

to strengthen and support

its member federations, the

national university sports

bodies across Europe, so the

organisation and conditions of

each of our members are very

diverse. Recognising that not

all EUSA members have the

same funding opportunities,

the decision of launching

a development fund was

made, aiming in developing

and making university sport

throughout Europe stronger.

With the support of the Club of

Donors, EUSA is able to secure

a development fund, for each

year, planned to be distributed

primarily to those with little or

no participation in EUSA events

in recent years. In 2022, due to

the war in Ukraine, this helping

body donated all resources to

the solidarity fund, used solely

to support Ukraine.

Disabilities

Since the inclusion of athletes

with disabilities for the first time

in the European Universities

Games in 2016, EUSA has

continued to search for ways

to build a more open path

for inclusivity in our events.

Following the inclusion of

Para Table Tennis at the last

European Universities Games in

2018, EUSA together with the

organisers included Para Table

Tennis again onto the official

schedule of this year’s European

Universities Games in Lodz.

This year, Para Table Tennis

has welcomed 10 male and 3

female para-student athletes,

representing 10 different

universities.

Besides this discipline being

part of the official sport

program, Sitting Volleyball

and Para Weightlifting, were

also present, as promo events.

EUSA recognises that university

sport can still make great

improvements regarding the

inclusion of all students into

sports, and with having partners

as the European Paralympic

Committee, we strongly believe

we will continue making

progress and changes in the

future.

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION YEAR MAGAZINE 2022-23^92

7. EUSA PROJECTS