Oct 5, 2026
The EAPA General Assembly brought athlete associations from across Europe together in Kisakallio, Finland, for two days focused on strengthening the collective response to some of the most important issues facing athletes today.
For EAPA President Natalia Orive, one message underpinned the event: “What we want EAPA members to take away from this General Assembly is the importance of being united and continuing to work for athletes’ rights in Europe.”
That sense of unity shaped the programme from the outset. While Day Two provided the formal setting for discussions around EAPA’s advocacy, strategy and the evolving international framework for athlete rights, the decision to lead with Tackle Your Feelings Europe (TYFE) on Day One was equally significant.
Mental health and wellbeing remain among the biggest challenges facing athletes in elite sport. TYFE is examining not only athletes’ mental health experiences, but also the capacity of player associations to respond effectively. As that research develops, the practical workshops delivered in Kisakallio may prove crucial in helping associations across Europe build stronger and more consistent systems of support.
Professor Vincent Gouttebarge established that context by presenting the TYFE research, before Dr Hannah McCormack led members through practical workshops addressing emergency action planning and practitioner wellbeing. Her advice to those working with athletes was simple: “Be the best version of yourself for athletes.”
The Gaelic Players Association’s Arron Graffin, Pamela Gilpin and Stephen Henry added another important dimension, drawing on their experience to explore how those supporting athletes can approach difficult conversations. Together, the sessions moved beyond recognising the scale of the mental health challenge towards developing the practical skills, structures and confidence needed within athlete associations.
Day Two widened the lens to the rights, representation and structures that shape athletes’ working lives. Walter Palmer executive Director of World Players Association and Ann-Sophie Duyck of United Athletes and EAPA Board member led a discussion on the ILO Guidelines on Decent Work in the World of Sport, exploring what the Guidelines mean for athletes and the importance of independent athlete representation and social dialogue in turning international principles into meaningful change.
The international perspective continued as Eric Zachrisson joined Walter Palmer and Natalia Orive to consider the Global Framework for Players and Athletes. Their discussion explored the significance of the Framework for the international player association movement and the opportunities it presents to strengthen athlete voice, representation and cooperation across borders.
Attention then turned to EAPA itself. Led by the Association’s leadership, members reflected on EAPA’s future direction and the priorities that should shape its work in the years ahead. Discussions encompassed its growing advocacy with the European Commission and Council of Europe, the development of its international network and how the experience and expertise within its membership can inform that work.
For Orive, whether the focus is mental health and wellbeing, decent work, representation or institutional advocacy, the underlying principle is the same.
“We need to keep working for athletes across Europe, through the advocacy work we are doing with the European Commission and Council of Europe, and through the network of expertise we are working hard to establish in partnership with World Players and FIFPRO Europe.”
Across the two days, that meant moving from the practical to the strategic: strengthening the capacity of associations to support athletes directly, while also considering how they can collectively influence the wider systems and institutions shaping athletes’ working lives.
EAPA Vice President Simon Keogh feels the connections made through EAPA are an important part of building that capacity.
“I really believe events like our General Assembly can do so much for the European athlete movement. By bringing everyone together in one room, associations in one country can learn from the experiences of those in another, while different sports can learn from each other too.
“There is a huge pool of expertise across our network. Events like this help us share that knowledge, build stronger connections and make sure our members can draw on that expertise to better support and represent their athletes.”
It was a fitting reflection on two days spent Connected with Purpose.
Jun 6, 2023
On Tuesday the 6th of June 2023, EU Athletes members gathered for the EU Athletes General Assembly 2023 in Bologna, Italy. Over 20 representatives of athlete and player associations from different sports and countries across Europe participated in the General Assembly this year.
The meeting focused on the discussions about EU Athletes priorities and activities, including policy work, EU funded projects and the ISU case. The participants also engaged in workshops to discuss the key issues and build the future work of EU Athletes to best support the athlete associations and the European athletes.
In 2023, four candidates stood for the elections for the Board positions. Simon Keogh (RPI) and Marc Leroy (United Athletes) were re-elected to the Board of EU Athletes for terms of three and two years respectively. Julie Campassens (SNB) and Line Ottersen Dahlberg (NISO) were elected to the Board for a three years term each.
The General Assembly was followed by the Board meeting, during which Natalia Orive (AJFSF) was elected as the President of EU Athletes and Simon Keogh (RPI) as the Vice-President.
The members thanked Brendon Batson, who has decided to step down from his position as President this year, for his leadership and dedication over the past years.
Apr 27, 2022
After two years of online meetings caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, EU Athletes members were happy to meet in person for the 2022 General Assembly. The event took place last Friday, the 22nd of April 2022 in Valencia, Spain and gathered over 30 representatives of player and athlete unions and associations from different sports and countries in Europe.
The participants reflected on the work and achievements of the association advancing the rights and interests of the European athletes over the last year, including Erasmus+ projects, advocacy work or the ISU case. Topics discussed also included the Russian invasion on Ukraine, place of player associations in the sport governance and the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on athletes and their associations. The General Assembly was an opportunity to discuss the policy and future priorities, following an exchange on the draft of the new Common Position Paper, as the document adopted in 2018 is under revision.
During the Assembly, Brendon Batson (PPF) and Natalia Orive (AJFSF) were re-elected to the Board for next 3 year terms. Tom Parsons (GPA) and Mark Leroy (UA) were elected as new members for terms of 3 years and 1 year respectively. During the Board meeting tat took place directly after the General Assembly and recognizing their leadership in the previous years, Brendon and Natalia were re-elected as the President and Vice President of EU Athletes.
Jun 8, 2021
On the 7th of June, the EU Athletes General Assembly took place online due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly 30 participants and representatives of player and athlete unions and associations from different sports and countries in Europe expressed their concerns for the circumstances and their hope to meet soon in person.
Despite the difficult situation for carrying on international projects and cooperation activities, the staff presented the positive results achieved by the association over the past year. In addition, Camille Delzant presented an innovative project coordinated by FNASS about professionalization of women’s sport. The General Assembly agenda also included discussions about the current review of EU Athletes Common Position Paper and the plan to furtherly research into the effects of the pandemic on players and their player unions and associations.
During the Assembly, members welcomed the development of a partnership between EU Athletes and FIFPro, and voted for Joachim Walltin, FIFPRO Europe General Secretary, to be part of the EU Athletes Board. Alessandro Marzoli (Giocatori Italiani Basket Associati) and Sander van der Holst (NL Sporter) were re-elected for the next terms. After contributing to EU Athletes’ work for over 12 years in different roles, Jean-François Reymond decided to not stand for re-election as the Board member. EU Athletes members and staff thanked Jeff for his valuable efforts and commitment and wished him all best best in the future.
Jun 19, 2020
EU Athletes General Assembly, held virtually this year due to the current situation, too place yesterday and gathered over 30 representatives of player and athlete unions and associations from different countires and sports in Europe.
Exchanges between associations included a presentation and feedback on the results of a preliminary research on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on players and players associations. The research highlighted, on the one hand, the importance of player associations and increased demand due to the current crisis and on the other hand, potential long-term issues for the athlete movement.
The participants also had an opportunity to hear from Yves Le Lostecque, Head of the Sport Unit at the European Commission, about the sport policy at the EU level and the response to Covid-19 crisis.
During the GA, Paul Flynn from Gaelic Players Association and Simon Keogh from Rugby Players Ireland from were elected to the EU Athletes Board. Camille Delzant (Union nationale des footballeurs professionnels) and Simon Taylor (Professional Players Federation) were reelected for next terms.
Oct 9, 2019
EU Athletes member associations met in Athens, Greece, on 9th of October for the annual meeting. Members and staff discussed the work and achievements of the organiazation over the last months, including Erasmus+ projects, cooperation with key stakeholders such as European Union and Council of Europe, as well as latest developments within the sport policy, including anti-doping or the Olympic Rule 40.
During the Assembly, Brendon Batson and Natalia Orive were reelected to the Board for 3 year terms. Subsequently, at the Board meeting they have been reelected as the President and Vice-President of EU Athletes respectively.
