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World Rugby and FISU sign agreement to foster sport and education

FISU 18 April 2016

 

 

LAUSANNE – World Rugby has reaffirmed its commitment to furthering sport through education by announcing an exciting collaboration with the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

World Rugby President Bernard Lapasset signed the agreement with FISU President Oleg Matytsin at the SportAccord Convention in Lausanne, which furthers a relationship that has seen Rugby Sevens appear at the World University Championships since 2004 and is designed to pave the way for the sport to regularly appear on the Universiade programme, the international sporting and cultural festival hosted every two years.  

Oleg Matytsin, FISU President (left) with Bernard Lapasset, President of “World Rugby”

 

At the heart of the collaboration is a common mission to further the educational and sporting potential of students around the world based on the following principles:

–      Encourage the development and practice of sport for male and female students in an inclusive and equitable environment

–      Establish joint educational initiatives to promote and protect the integrity of sport and fair play

–      Collaborate on the organisation, promotion and sustainability of Rugby Sevens as a World University Championship and Universiade sport

 

 

FISU is responsible for the organisation and governance of worldwide competitions for student-athletes between the ages of 17 and 28. It stages its events every two years, including two Universiades (summer and winter) and World University Championships in more than 45 sports, Rugby Sevens has itself featured as a Championship sport since 2004, appearing for the first time within the programme of the Summer Universiade in 2013, in Kazan, Russian Federation.

Rugby Sevens has become a hit with student participants and fans alike. Hosted every two years, the 2016 edition will take place in Swansea, Wales.

World Rugby President Bernard Lapasset said: “With global Rugby participation at a record 7.73 million ahead of rugby sevens’ debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, this exciting collaboration with FISU will further the reach of our sport through education, while providing excellent competition opportunities for students worldwide.”

FISU President Oleg Matytsin said: “Since 2004, Rugby Sevens has constantly grown within FISU demonstrating it is a real University Sport. After having appeared in Kazan for the 2013 Universiade, we are looking forward an exceptional edition of the 2016 World University Championship to be held in Swansea, Great-Britain. The cooperation between FISU and World Rugby will provide an excellent showcase for the best student players in the world, few months before the return of Rugby at the Olympic Games.”

 

(Source: WUC Dept.)