Ogre handball team to compete as Ogre/RSU

As the new handball season approaches, the city of Ogre's handball team will compete under the name Ogre/RSU, joining the family of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) sports teams. The team’s new name reflects a long-term strategic partnership between RSU and Ogre Handball Club, aimed at developing men’s handball and giving RSU students more opportunities to combine their studies with competing at a high level. 

The cooperation agreement was signed by RSU Rector, Professor Aigars Pētersons, and Artis Laganovskis, Board Member of Ogre Handball Club. The signing ceremony was also attended by club manager Andris Molotanovs, RSU Chancellor Toms Baumanis, and Head of the RSU Sports Club Laura Ritova. The partnership agreement has been concluded for a three-year period, with the option to extend it. 

Five RSU students already play for the team 

Ogre/RSU’s head coach is Rihards Leja, a lecturer at the Department of Individual and Team Sports of the RSU Academy of Sport. Five RSU students currently play for the team, gaining experience in the Latvian men’s handball championship and the Baltic Handball League alongside their studies. 

The partnership aims to gradually increase the number of RSU students involved in the team and expand cooperation in the areas of handball training, sports methodology, and national and international competitions. 

‘RSU continues to forge long-term partnerships with sports clubs, enabling our students to pursue their studies and develop as athletes. 

Last season, we developed partnerships with several sports clubs in this way, and Ogre/RSU is the next step in this direction. It is particularly significant that five RSU students already play for the team and that its head coach is a lecturer at our university. This serves as an excellent example of how the academic environment and high-level sports can complement each other,’ notes RSU Rector, Professor Aigars Pētersons. 

Partnership to support dual careers 

Ogre/RSU representatives emphasise that the partnership with RSU is also important for fostering dual-career opportunities for the club’s players and coaches.  

‘I believe this partnership is particularly important for our players’ future prospects. RSU gives us an opportunity to support our players in pursuing dual careers much more effectively, enabling them to train and compete at a high level while studying and planning for their future,’ 

says Ogre/RSU board representative Artis Laganovskis. 

RSU sports teams continue to develop 

The past season was a milestone for RSU sport. For the first time, the university topped the overall standings of the Latvian Universiade, affirming its leading position in student sport. 

RSU’s team sports also achieved outstanding results last season. The men’s volleyball team Robežsardze/RSU, the RSU women’s volleyball team and the ice hockey team Mogo/RSU all won Latvian championship titles. Meanwhile, the RSU/VEF Rīga basketball team became National Basketball League champions for the first time in the university’s history.