2014 – EHF Executive Board, 26/27 September

BULLETIN
Executive Board Meeting
Bordeaux, France
26th & 27th September, 2014
The Executive Board of the European Hockey Federation met for the fourth time in 2014 over the weekend, in Bordeaux, France.
The Board had the opportunity to meet with the Olivier Moreau, President and the Executive Board of the French Hockey Federation, as well as representatives of the local Mayor and members of Villa Primrose Hockey Club – where the meetings were held.
David Voskamp, Competitions Coordinator also attended part of the meeting and took the opportunity to do a site visit to SA Merignac Hockey Club who will host EuroHockey Club Challenge II, Women in 2015
During the meeting, the Board received reports from:
Development Projects Committee, who reported on activities by the EHF Youth Panel, events planned for 2015 including an U16 Mediterranean Cup using the Hockey 5’s format in Malta and an U14 Festival in Italy.
An update was received on planning for the ParaHockey event which will take place in conjunction with the Eurohockey Championships in London, 2015. Half year reports were also received on the projects from recipients of EHF Development Grants.
Jerome Labbaye, EHF Development Projects Committee Member gave a presentation on the system of developing clubs in the area of Pas de Calais in northern France and a possible example for other regions not only in France but across Europe.
Education Committee reports were received from all 3 Working Groups – Coaches, Umpires and Officials updating progress on their various programmes and seminars in 2014, and their plans for 2015.
A Development and Education Budget was provisionally approved by the Board for 2015 – to be finally agreed at the meeting in December.
Competitions – Indoor updated the Board on progress of the EuroHockey Indoor Junior Championship and Club tournaments in 2015.
Competitions – Outdoor updated the Board following their recent committee meeting, with details of venues and pools for the EuroHockey Club tournaments in 2015, regulations review, review of 2014 Nations tournaments, and updates on 2015 Nations tournaments.
They also gave their recommendations to the Board for a calendar review of Nations competitions (Senior, Junior & Youth) following the FIH decision to hold the Junior World Cup in 2016 instead of 2017.
Full details of the approved new calendar will be sent directly to National Associations and published on the EHF website in a separate bulletin.
The Director General updated the Board on progress with England Hockey for the EuroHockey Championships, London 2015, and the KNHB for the EuroHockey Championships, Amsterdam 2017. The forthcoming General Assembly was discussed including the proposed revised statutes which will align them to the FIH Statutes. A new membership structure proposed by FIH and based on ranking rather than player numbers was discussed and fees per band agreed for approval at the General Assembly.
Euro Hockey League – an update was received on the status of the Euro Hockey League.
Communications – A report was received and the committee will be focusing on 3 main areas – Fan Engagement, the Website and Social Media (attracting more fans and tracking the numbers) and an E-magazine.
Reports were also received from Appointments, and the Hon Treasurer updated the Board on the accounts.
The Board also took the opportunity to share their thoughts on the FIH World League.
Source: EHF
Photograph: EHF Executive Board with Fédération Française de Hockey Board Members, including President Olivier Moreau