Hosted by Education Committee members Donna Spethman and Bill Thompson, and with greetings from FISU President Leonz Eder and FISU Vice President and Education Committee Chair Verena Burk, the session allowed mentees to ask questions and get a better understanding of what to expect from the programme, wrote Doug McLean for FISU.net. 

Mentors and mentees are expected to have their first meeting by the end of January, leading to an agreement in the following month. This will outline key issues and topics of importance to the mentee, the responsibilities and expectations of both parties and ultimately the mentee's goals for the relationship. It is expected that mentors and mentees will meet approximately once a month until November, at which point feedback on the programme will be provided. 

As part of the session, participants discussed key tips for understanding their responsibilities, as well as elements that can make for a strong mentoring relationship. The importance of trust and open communication was often mentioned as a key component of good discussions. 

Participants also talked about the value of the Springboard programme, including the opportunity to learn about themselves and share experiences, the potential to improve and expand networks, the creation of lifelong relationships, and the desire to grow and help someone else grow. 

Two participants shared their views on what they believe makes for a successful mentoring relationship. Paiwast Amanj, from Iraq, said, "The experience and meeting new people and friends are the main things that drove me to work with FISU and still drive me to get out of my comfort zone and learn as much as I can." 

Bridget Umutoni from Uganda added about her hopes for the programme: "To connect with someone new and learn from the experience of someone who is in a circle or place that I want to be in." 

The final element of the session focused on the responsibilities of the mentees in driving the process and the relationship. As there is no curriculum, it was emphasised that it is up to them to identify the topics they want to discuss and to come prepared with thoughts and questions. 

The importance of openness and honesty in the relationship was also stressed so that both parties could benefit from the programme. Whether mentees want to discuss work or general life issues, being as open as possible was noted as a key to getting value from the interactions. 

Mentors and mentees will be introduced to kick off the FISU Springboard Programme on its way to 2024. This programme is another important educational pillar for FISU to help develop the next generation of sport leaders.