The 2014 EHF Club of the Year winners formally received their award at the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London, England.
EHF President, Marijke Fleuren and EHF Development Projects Chair, Gianni Rossi were on hand to deliver the awards to the winning clubs during the half-time break of the the ENG v SCO game, on Saturday 22nd August.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Small Club Winner, Grupo Deportivo do Viso from Porto, Portugal, were Club president, António Alvarenga and the Porto Town Council President Rui Moreira. GDViso is a small club with less than 100 members. However, their motto is: Together we are stronger! They have developed a program and have high hopes for the future of their club and hockey in their home city, Porto. By partnering with schools and clever use of marketing, GDViso hopes to continue growing.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Medium Club winner, HK Zelina from Sveti Ivan Zelina, Croatia was the Club’s President, Damir Hrupec. HK Zelina is a club that has come back from, at its lowest, only 30 members and an uncertain future to grow their club exponentially to more than 250 members, by working with the Youth and investing in infrastructure.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Large Club winner, Old Silhillians HC from Solihull, England, were Stephen Tabb and John Harrison. Old Sihillians HC has shown tremendous development in the last year. Their player membership grew 46% in 2014, and they now have a ParaHockey Flyerz programme, as well as coaches and umpiring training. OSHC is also planning to build more infrastructure, with hopes to build a second pitch.
Source: EHF
Photographs: EHF/Frank Uijlenbroek