What is the Spanish University Sports Committee?

The Spanish University Sports Committee is the body responsible for regulating university level sports. So, how does it work?

The Spanish University Championships are among the most popular university sporting events in Spain. During championships, we often hear about the Spanish University Sports Committee (SUSC). It’s responsible for planning and organizing.

Despite the popularity of university sports in Spain, most people are unaware of the regulatory bodies. This includes the SUSC. Read along to find out more about the Spanish University Sports Committee.

What is the Spanish University Sports Committee?

The Spanish University Sports Committee SUSC is an autonomous body of the general administration of the Spanish state. It’s dependent on the Higher Sports Council.

It was created by decree on the 20th of December 1988. The committee optimizes and coordinates university activities throughout the country. In addition, the committee helps to strengthen campaigns in order to promote sports and competitions.

Subsequently, in February 2004, the decree was published. It regulates the functions attributed to the committee as well as the guidelines for its operations.

The committee’s competencies

As we previously mentioned, the committee’s main role is to organize and coordinate the Spanish University Championships (SUC). The Spanish University Championships are held every year between Spanish universities. It involves various sporting disciplines.

In order to participate, universities need to register teams of students. In addition to the Spanish University Championships, universities can also compete in regional championships.

The SUC is divided into three phases. However, all of them are to be coordinated by the Spanish University Sports Committee. The stages are as follows:

• Regional: competitions between universities in the same region.
• Interzonal: competitions take place over two zones with a total of eight teams participating in each zone.
• Finals: during this stage, the five champions of the CCAA compete against each other.

Functions of the Spanish University Sports Committee

The decree specifies the following functions:

• Present an annual plan detailing national university sports activities and competitions that will be held nationally and internationally to the Higher Sports Council.
• Provide technical assistance to the Higher Sports Council on the necessary actions to prepare and monitor the development of activities detailed in the annual plan.
• Prepare reports on university sports in Spain and their participation in the international arena.
• Assume instrumental functions that can be attributed by the Higher Sports Council.

The Spanish University Sports Committee also has international functions

In addition to fulfilling the functions set out by the decree, the committee is also a member of the  Federation International du Sport Universitaire- FISU. The federation is responsible for organizing several important university tournaments and events.

For example, every even year, the FISU organizes the World University Sports Championships. However, every odd year, it’s responsible for the promotion and development of the World University summer and winter games.

As a member, the committee assumes the responsibility for organizing and coordinating Spanish participation in international competitions organized by the FISU.

The Spanish University Sports Committee facilitates Spain’s participation in competitions organized by the FISU. The events are in line with the interests of each university.