Dear ENAS Members,

As you probably noticed from the vacancy notice we published, these are my last weeks in ENAS.

After five and a half years in this amazing network, I have decided to take on a new professional challenge. I unexpectedly received a new job offer and, after some thinking and talks with my wife and family, I decided to accept it. It was not an easy decision. ENAS has been my professional and personal family for a very long time, and its mission has been both my personal and professional mission. But sometimes life is unpredictable, and I felt that the time for a new chapter was now.

These years have taught me a lot, and deep in my heart, I am very grateful for everything ENAS has given me. I have met so many amazing and wonderful people, and the memories of this sports and education network will stay with me forever.

Of course, over the years, there have been many challenges—COVID-19, wars, and rising costs, to name a few. But I have always believed that the passion, energy, and friendship within this network could overcome any challenge our sector faced. And indeed we managed it.

My role in ENAS has also taught me how to be independent and to care about every little detail. In a small non-profit like ENAS, the Development Manager role is a solitary one, where almost everything is handled by a single person. But despite this, I never really felt alone, because behind my work, there was always the support of amazing people and members. 

First and foremost, the ENAS Executive Committee. Throughout these five years, I could always count on incredible EC members who helped me grow—both personally and professionally. I will always be grateful to them.

Second, to those who organized the five Forums I was responsible for. They sacrificed time, money, and energy to deliver outstanding events, and I learned so much from each of them. I am sure that the Forum in Vilnius—whose registration I will open soon—will once again be a fantastic opportunity for our network to shine.

And finally, our members. Our sports community is truly unique. There are so many people who, over these five years, have been a part of my life, and I cannot thank you all enough. I hope you continue to stay involved in ENAS and help Europe’s largest university sports community continue to thrive. Thank you for being ENAS!

We live in uncertain times, in a world where values like peace, friendship, and cooperation are too often taken for granted. That’s why I truly believe that being part of a network built on friendship, active engagement, and international cooperation makes the world a better place. So, I encourage every member of our ENAS family to stay involved, to promote sports and international cooperation, and to uphold the values I have worked to promote throughout these years.

That’s why, despite accepting a new job in the non-profit sector starting in May with the Centre for Future Generations – an NGO that advocates for a better future for young people – I will always be grateful to ENAS. I may change job title, but I don’t want to lose the amazing community I’ve helped build over the years. Being part of this community means so much to me, and no matter what the future holds, ENAS will always be my family. I will always be happy to contribute to it, even in a different capacity.

I’ll close with one final request: please share the vacancy notice within your networks. We need a new Manager to take this community to the moon and back. And I am certain that among the people of ENAS, we can find someone who will help our community shine like a star in the sky.

With a grateful heart,
Andrea