The third edition of the UniSport ViLA Volunteer Leadership Academy officially began on March 21st with an opening lecture, during which participants were welcomed by the project coordinator Ivana Aničić. With great enthusiasm, she highlighted the excellent turnout and shared her joy at seeing some familiar faces from previous editions of the academy, as well as meeting new enthusiasts of volunteering, sports, and personal development.
Day One: Introduction to University Sports and Volunteering Opportunities
Following the welcoming remarks, participants had the opportunity to learn more about university sports and various volunteering opportunities. Three key organizations playing an important role in student sports were presented: the Croatian Academic Sports Federation (HASS), the European University Sports Association (EUSA), and the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
Toni Gamulin, Croatian Academic Sports Federation
The first lecture was delivered by Toni Gamulin, First Vice President of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation and one of the original creators of UniSport. In his presentation, he outlined the mission and goals of the federation, as well as a range of key projects, including the International Rowing Regatta Sv. Duje, UniSport Finals, the UniSport Heart Foundation, the Conference for a Healthy Academic Society, and, of course, UniSport ViLA. He emphasized that these projects aim to enable students to combine sport with their academic experience. He particularly highlighted one of the most successful and significant projects – the European University Games Zagreb-Rijeka 2016, which gave a strong boost to the further development of student sports. He also noted that preparations are currently underway for two European university championships – water polo in Vukovar and futsal in Zagreb – which are highly anticipated. To conclude, he proudly announced that Split will host the European University Games in 2028, marking an important milestone in the further development of academic sports in Croatia.
Andrej Pišl, European University Sports Association
The next speaker, Andrej Pišl, project manager of the European University Sports Association, introduced participants to the organization’s work, with a special focus on its volunteer program. He explained that the EUSA volunteer program offers young people the chance to volunteer at numerous EUSA competitions and events across Europe, providing them with hands-on experience in organizing sports events. He also mentioned the opportunity to volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps, which allows young people to engage in various projects for up to a year. Like the previous speaker, he noted that Croatia is hosting two major events this year – the European University Championships in water polo (Vukovar) and futsal (Zagreb). He invited all interested participants to apply and become part of these important international sporting events.
Albina Rakhmatullina, International University Sports Federation (FISU)
Albina Rakhmatullina, project manager of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy and coordinator of the FISU Student Ambassadors project, introduced the mission and objectives of FISU, along with key sporting and educational events organized by the federation. FISU hosts some of the world’s largest international university sports events, including the Universiade, World University Championships, and World University Cups. In addition to sports competitions, she placed special emphasis on educational events, particularly the FISU World Forum, which was held in Zagreb last year and saw record attendance. During the lecture, participants learned more about the FISU volunteer program and the opportunities available to FISU ambassadors. She particularly highlighted the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy, which served as an inspiration for the development of the UniSport ViLA Academy. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from FISU ambassador Diana Baras, who shared how volunteering had a profound impact on her personal growth and significantly changed her life. On that note, she encouraged all attendees to get involved and seize the opportunities that volunteering offers.
After the presentations, participants engaged in an interactive session where they got to know each other better in smaller groups. They shared their expectations and motivations for joining the UniSport ViLA Academy, as well as their past volunteer experiences.
The first lecture concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring volunteers Tina Balaž, Marija Lešković, and Karlo Žeželj, who openly and honestly shared their rich experiences in volunteering. They reflected on the opportunities and challenges that volunteering brings, and their inspiring stories left a lasting impression on the participants. The first day ended on a positive and encouraging note, leaving attendees inspired and motivated for what lies ahead in the program.
Day Two: Volunteer Management in Practice
The Saturday program, held on March 22nd, was dedicated to the practical aspects of volunteer management at sports events. The day began with an opening address from Haris Pavletić, President of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, followed by a session led by volunteer coordinators Ivana Aničić and Anja Gelo. They presented the key steps required for the successful implementation of a volunteer program, including:
- Planning and organizing the volunteer program
- Volunteer recruitment and selection
- Education and coordination during events
- Volunteer recognition and reward system
After a coffee break, the second part of the program saw Ivana Aničić introduce working groups. Participants were then divided into teams led by Sara Ćetković, Ivana Aničić, and Ilona Matijević. Each team worked on specific practical tasks, applying their newly acquired knowledge and preparing for future volunteering challenges.
The first weekend of the UniSport ViLA Academy concluded in a great atmosphere, full of new insights, inspiration, and friendships. In the coming weeks, participants can look forward to even more engaging lectures and opportunities to gain valuable hands-on experience!
Authors: Jasmina Herčeki and Anđelka Štih
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