RSU Sports Club Manager Laura Ritova: the consolidation has resulted in boost for sports
Photos: both private and from Sports Club archives
This year, one of the most significant events at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) was the consolidation with the Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE). This opened new horizons, mainly in the field of sports development.
The consolidation has brought changes to many structural units and in the University as a whole - it has not only allowed the University to supplement its range of study programmes with new sports-related programmes and to develop sports educations topics in more detail, but also to develop our "muscles" in the literal sense - to cultivate sportsmanship and to unite and build strong sports teams and infrastructure.
We invited Laura Ritova (pictured), the manager of the RSU Sports Club, to talk about these topics.
How has the consolidation with LASE affected the Sports Club?
I have to admit that the consolidation with LASE has happened quickly. This spring, we were already having discussions with LASE sports teams where we explored the situation. The merger with LASE has given us new sports teams that we did not have before, such as handball and hockey. Now we have a men's handball team, ASK Zemessardze RSU, and the RSU women's handball team. We have also taken over the hockey team, which is now called Mogo RSU. Likewise, we are happy to have a new energetic teammate join the club as a result of this consolidation, former Latvian national handball team player Rihards Leja. There are only five handball teams in Latvia, so we have a lot of opportunities to develop sport. We have plans to create a combined rugby team in the future.
A year before the consolidation, we had already created a joint men's volleyball team to compete in the national league. The coaches of both teams worked well together and because there was a lack of players on both teams, the merger with LASE has brought a boost. The amateur volleyball league has both women's and men's volleyball mixed teams.
In basketball, the new teams are based on the existing teams at RSU, which LASE students can now join.
We did a lot of work to take over the sports equipment, and we helped to equip the LASE study process. Together with colleagues from the Infrastructure Department, we also took over and improved the premises.
The RSU Sports Club now has a new colleague from LASE, Sergejs Saulīte, who supervises all RSU LASE sports infrastructure facilities and manages rentals and use.
The RSU/ MSĢ team - Latvian 2023/2024 champions in women’s volleyball. Laura Ritova (left) with head coach Ingūna Minusa and RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons
What has taking over the teams meant in practice?
It involves everything from financial commitments, to providing training, to familiarising with RSU systems. We organised open training sessions for all teams in early September, which were open to students and staff.
We have done all we could to take over the teams, and now we are getting involved in specific events.
The Winter World University Games in Torino are coming up soon, where RSU LASE students will compete in orienteering and figure skating.
What are the main benefits that the consolidation has had on sports at RSU?
We have become fitter and stronger! The main benefit is that the field of sports at the University has expanded considerably. Naturally this means that more money has to be invested, but this is only natural as we are building a new sports complex on Cigoriņu iela. We will have our own sports centre with new, modern facilities and infrastructure. This will also be a great investment to ensure the quality of the study process.
We hope that construction work will start in the new year, and that the new sports complex will be completed within two years. I expect that the development of sports at RSU will not be as dynamic over these two years until we have our own sports centre. However, afterwards activities will be on a completely different level!
What are the benefits for students of the consolidation with LASE?
The new sports are attractive to our international students because they are interested in more specific sports - for example, eight international students joined the handball team at once. We organised open training sessions to get students interested, and it worked!
The RSU women's basketball team won 2nd place in the 2023/2024 Latvian Women's Basketball League. Laura Ritova and head coach Mārcis Pliens
Students now have more sports to participate in, they can train with RSU coaches and use RSU LASE facilities. We also offer a number of classes for students and staff outside the study process - these include functional and strength training as well as Zumba classes. We organise hikes and participation in the marathon in the spring.
RSU LASE benefits from various systems we have, like booking premises and IT systems, which can improve the study process.
Project no. KPVIS 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/005 RSU internal and RSU with LASE external consolidation.
Related news
Apply for the B-Space incubation programmeInnovation, RSU LSPA, For Students, RSU Alumni, For RSU Employees
