World Rowing unites with University rowing

FISA President, Denis Oswald signing the agreement as FISA Executive Director Matt Smith looks on

FISA, the International Rowing Federation has joined forces with FISU, the International Federation of University Sports to fully recognise the World Rowing University Championships as a World Rowing sanctioned event.

As a reflection of the development of rowing and the interests of the university sports movement, FISA and FISU have worked together in the past months to mutually recognise their specific tasks. The two parties signed a joint cooperation agreement in Beijing at the end of last month which officially seals the intention of close collaboration.

Behind the push for unity, Lionel Girard says he hopes that it will mean greater stability for university rowing competitions. Girard, who is chairman of FISU’s International Technical Commission as well as on FISA’s Rowing for All Commission, said rowing at world university championships was not consistently held every two years in the past. “Now rowing is considered a stable sport and has a strong position in FISU.”

Secretary General for FISU, Roch Campana described the union as a result of more than 28 years of cooperation between the two federations. “This will help us to fix better rules and we are glad we now have a rowing championships,” said Campana.

Executive Director for FISA, Matt Smith said the move illustrates the importance of university rowing. “We are always aiming to raise the level of rowing and university rowing is a key component to the development of our sport. The joining of FISA and FISU reflects the importance that we place on university rowing.”

The World Rowing University Championships will be held every two years, on even numbered years, as part of the World University Championship programme. FISU will set the programme of competition which will then be governed by FISA’s Rules of Racing.

Both organisations will work together to promote the development of rowing amongst all university students and, in particular, to achieve a balance in development between male and female university students.

There is also a commitment on both sides to safeguard the sport against the dangers of doping and violence.

FISA Events Commission along with the chair of FISU’s International Technical Commission for rowing will manage the bid process to select the rowing venue.

FISA’s involvement will begin in 2009 when rowing will be on the universiade programme as part of the chosen optional sports of the 2009 Summer Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia. It is open to all student athletes between the age of 17-28 that have not been out of university, or its equivalent, for more than one year.