24.06.2015, Brussels: The Executive Board of the European Hockey Federation met for the second time in 2015 over the weekend, in Brussels, Belgium.
The President opened the meeting with a welcome and general update of all the activity that has taken place since the last Board meeting. She noted in particular the success of the EHL with excellent crowds and the successful completion of 9 Club tournaments all over Europe over Whitsun.
The Board then received reports from:
Competitions Coordination Committee – which had met the previous day. The Committee reported on reviews of the regulations following recent tournaments, both Indoor and Outdoor.
They also presented a new points system for the Women’s EuroHockey Club Champions Cup which would be introduced for the 2016 season – all updated regulations will be published by the end of October 2015.
Updates were received on the planning of upcoming U18 and Senior tournaments in July and August, as well as a report following the review of the Club tournaments at Easter and Whitsun.
The draw for the EHL Round 1 in 2015 was also done and details will be published in a separate bulletin in July, when it is also expected that the host for Round 1 will be confirmed.
Indoor:
The Board heard a review of the TD reports from the Indoor Season.
The Board approved recommendations from the Competitions Committee Indoor for 2017 Indoor Junior Championship tournaments.
The Committee also informed the board of the agreed hosts and venues for the Indoor Club tournaments in 2016. Details will be published in a separate bulletin later this week.
Development Projects Committee updated the Board on the recent meetings with the KNHB with regard to the ‘Sharing Knowledge’ programme as part of the EuroHockey Championship 2017 agreement, which will include twinning projects with key nations, regions and Clubs with the KNHB and a number of its Clubs. Reports were also received on the planning for the upcoming Hockey 5s Mediterranean Cup in Malta and the EHF ParaHockey tournament in London during the EuroHockey Championship 2015.
The Board heard of the plans for the Youth Panel who hope to hold a Youth Hockey Summit in London where they will look at the career path of its members and launch a recruitment drive for new members.
Education Committee’s three Working Groups: Officials, Coaches and Umpires updated the Board on the activities in 2015 to date and plans for upcoming events in London and Breda in August.
Communications– a report was received from the Communications committee, and Simon Mason also gave a ‘master-class’ in Twitter to members of the Executive Board. Follow @ehf_Marijke, @ehf_jorge, @ehf_carola, @ehf_mika, @ehf_inez, @ehf_simon, @ehf_ludmila, @ehf_giannired!
EuroHockey Championships 2015 – The Director General updated the Board on the progress of the EuroHockey Championships in London. He reported that the staff had met with counterparts with England Hockey and whilst there were a few points to follow up on he was happy with how everything
was progressing and was confident that an excellent event will be delivered for players, sponsors and fans alike.
Streaming
The Director General outlined a version 1.0 plan for streaming certain events from 2016 onwards. More detail is required on the plan but the Board were very much in favour of raising awareness through this medium.
27thGeneral Assembly 2015 – the final agenda and format was agreed for the General Assembly in August and the Board was updated on the plans for the Welcome Event, General Assembly, and EuroHockey Championships.
The Hon Treasurer – The Hon. Treasurer presented the accounts for 2014 and gave an update on the year to date figures. He also reported on the Finance Committee meeting which took place the previous day which included forecasts for 2016 and 2017.
Appointments Committee – A report was received from the Appointments Committee and it was noted that the Chair of the Committee would join the meeting in September for a more detailed report.
The President thanked the Board members and the staff for their continuing contributions and their dedicated work for hockey.
The next meeting is scheduled for 20th August in London.
Pictured – Master Class on Twitter, the Board set up and started their journey on EuroHockey social media and fan engagement