European University Sports Association (EUSA) is an umbrella non-governmental (NGO) non-profit organisation, working in the field of university sport in Europe.
It links national university sport federations, universities, teams, individual competitors, volunteers and other partners in over 40 countries throughout Europe. In reaction to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, EUSA suspended the universities from Russia and Belarus and the representatives of the National University Sports Associations from Russia and Belarus from all EUSA events, blocked the organization of EUSA events in Russia and Belarus, and will not call upon the Members of EUSA Committees, Commissions, and Working Groups from Russia and Belarus for future EUSA meetings and activities.
History
1999–2009
EUSA was founded in November 1999 in Vienna, Austria, by 25 founding member organisation as a federation and network of national university sports organisations from Europe.
In 2000, the first General Assembly of EUSA was held in Paris, France. Four more countries became members and the Assembly approved the introduction of European Championships based on university teams for 2001. In 2001, the first European University Championships were organised – in basketball and volleyball. In 2002, the First EUSA Symposium took place in Nicosia, Cyprus. The General Assembly established the EUSA Student Commission in order to enhance the participation of students in European university sports.
The federation constantly grew – both in membership, as well as activities. In 2004, there were 9 sports in the programme of the European University Championships. The 3rd EUSA Symposium was held in Falun, Sweden, and at the end of the year, EUSA published the 1st EUSA Magazine. At the General Assembly in Nottingham, the United Kingdom, the Assembly passed several amendments of the statutes. Among others, the new position of a Treasurer and a non-voting, paid Secretary General were installed.
In 2006, the sports events were renamed European Universities Championships, to stress the universities being the participants in the events. The first edition of the EUSA Convention for the Organisers of the European Universities Championships was organised in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where also the first EUSA multi-sport event was held, hosting championships in volleyball, football, and tennis as well as EUSA Cup in Water Polo.
EUSA celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009; the main celebration was held at the General Assembly in Vienna, Austria. Special recognitions were awarded at the occasion of 10th anniversary for achievements 1999–2009. 15 European Universities Championships were organised, participation number reached 3000 student athletes, representing 417 universities from 32 countries.
2010–19
In 2010, EUSA opened its new office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where the secretariat is located. The 1st European Universities Games to be held in 2012 were attributed to the city of Cordoba, Spain.
In 2011, 16 European Universities Championships were organised, participation number exceeded 3500 student athletes which set a new record for participation in EUSA's events. In November 2011, the 2014 European Universities Games were attributed to Rotterdam, Netherlands.
In 2012, at the annual General Assembly held in Maribor, Slovenia, Adam Roczek from Poland was elected as the new EUSA President, with 12 other Executive Members elected as well. The very first edition of the European Universities Games took place in Cordoba, Spain, involving over 2500 participants from 154 different universities and 32 countries taking part in 10 different sports. EUSA officially became accredited for the European Commission's Youth in Action programme of European Voluntary Service (EVS).
In 2013, 17 European Universities Championships were hosted across the continent, with 3x3 Basketball the latest sport to be integrated into the EUSA programme. At the EUSA Executive Committee meeting held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, two bids from Coimbra and Zagreb-Rijeka were considered, with the latter two Croatian cities attributed the rights to host the third edition of the European Universities Games in 2016. EUSA was rebranded, with the association adopting a new look and logo.