Russia beckons a Charles Sturt University (CSU) education and sports leader student as Australia’s representative at an international forum.

After a comprehensive selection process, CSU student sports leader Ms Meaghan Kempson was selected to represent Australia at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Volunteer Leaders Academy 2018 in Kazan, Russia, from Thursday 14 to Friday 22 June.

Ms Kempson is a fourth-year Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education) student in the School of Teacher Education at CSU in Bathurst. She is the current CSU Bathurst Sports Council President, previous president of the CSU Bathurst Football Club, and current Team Captain of CSU Sport at representative events.

Her selection resulted when the Australian University Sport organisation sought expressions of interest from its 43 tertiary institution members in Australia for student sports leaders to represent Australia at the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy 2018.

"The opportunity to represent Australian University Sport on an international stage is something that I am extremely proud and privileged to do,” Ms Kempson said.

“As a future Health and Physical Education teacher, the experience to expand my knowledge regarding the physical activity of young people and the facilitation of large scale sporting events will be invaluable.

“I am also excited to develop my professional network of international peers and colleagues, while gaining a cultural experience. I am very proud to be a student of Charles Sturt University, and am forever grateful for the opportunities that this institution and its staff provide me,” Ms Kempson said.

The FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy 2018 selected one representative from each member country to participate in the Academy. It covers all costs, including travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, and educational program. Kazan in south-west Russia is the sixth most populous city in Russia, and is known as the ‘Sports capital of Russia’.

The aim of the FISU Academy is to create an international cultural and educational platform for the professional training of young leaders capable of creating, organising and implementing international, national and/or local university projects. The Academy aims to promote the values of sport and healthy lifestyle choices through the activities of the FISU Student Ambassadors.