Scheduled for 13-14 September 2024, this year’s FVLA will be hosted online from the FISU Headquarters, promising a dynamic and engaging virtual experience for participants worldwide.
With just one month remaining until the highly anticipated 2024 FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy (FVLA), the enthusiasm is growing rapidly among the international university sports community.
The programme
An impactful season: FVLA 2023/24 highlights
The 2023/24 season was a remarkable period for the FVLA programme, with 114 FISU Student Ambassadors representing 77 countries across 5 continents.
This season saw 6 national volunteer academies held in Argentina, Brazil, Burundi, Croatia, Costa Rica, and Uganda. Notably, Burundi and Costa Rica hosted their academies for the first time, bringing the total number of participating countries to 11.
4 members of the new FISU Student Committee (2024-2027) are FVLA alumni, with a total of 8 former FVLA participants serving on FISU’s Student, Media, Gender Equality, and International Control Committees.
Great opportunities for FISU Student Ambassadors
FISU continues to provide unique opportunities for its Student Ambassadors:
- 2024 Zagreb FISU World Forum : 14 ambassadors funded by FISU, will participate in this event. Nearly one-third of the forum’s participants have an FVLA background.
- FISU Springboard Programme: 21 students are part of this initiative, benefiting from mentorship by FISU Executive Committee members, FISU staff, and NUSF presidents.
- DTM Scholarship: 1 student recommended by FISU received scholarship for the Dream Together Master at Seoul National University.
- Educational webinars and much more…
A few testimonies from the participants
Stephanie Nicolaou from Cyprus about some of her activities as a FISU Student Ambassador: “I carried out interviews with high-level athletes of Cyprus about their dual-careers. I helped the University of Nicosia to organise training sessions for basketball and volleyball, with a dual purpose: to encourage to practise any kind of sport and to prepare the students for the tournaments that take place during the year. Finally, together with my NUSF (National University Sport Federation) we organised a friendly 3×3 basketball tournament.”
Herve Orly Cubahiro and James Manamugabe from Burundi were also very active: “We organised the first national volunteer academy in Burundi. Herve participated in our national university championships as an athlete. James took part to various national competitions, including basketball, volleyball, football, handball, and athletics. We also managed to launch our NUSF’s Instagram account”.
Menia Chaphamtengo from Malawi about the new opportunities she was given: “FISU has given me lifelong friendships with people from all parts of the world. The ambassadors programme has helped me work on my communication skills and overcome procrastination. Being a team leader is something I also enjoyed. I have grown as a person and have gained valuable insights from people from other countries. I will make sure that the Malawian University Sport Movement does not die but rather grows. The only way is up. As Billie Jean King once said, “Champions keep playing until they get it right.”
NUSFs encouraged to nominate candidates
Leonz Eder, FISU President, encourages all federations to nominate their candidates for the FISU Student Ambassadors programme.”These students become part of the FISU community and our events, gaining access to special FISU opportunities. This season, the International Volunteer Programme and the FISU Springboard Programme were opened for FVLA participants.”
Federations can nominate up to two students, who will be awarded the status of FISU Student Ambassadors for the 2024/25 season. The application process is open via the FISU online accreditation system.
As the countdown to 2024 FISU Volunteers Leaders Academy begins, the global FISU community eagerly anticipates another season of growth, leadership and international collaboration.
Written by Albina Rakhmatullina and Virginie Rochat
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