24.08.2015, London; Thomas Eilmer, Austria was awarded the EHF Diploma of Merit for services to the European Hockey Federation and hockey. Thomas Eilmer is the Umpires Manager of Austrian Hockey since 2001, before he was involved in the Youth Section of his club SV Arminen. Since 2001 is has restructured the umpires section completely and he has developed close contacts to several neighbouring National Associations and especially to the DHB.
His contribution to the EHF has consisted of tireless work conducting several seminars all over Europe to assist developing NAs with their umpire programmes. His passion for Indoor Hockey as a proud Austrian is well known!
He was former player and an International umpire and is currently on the FIH and EHF Umpires Manager list.
On making the Presentation Marijke Fleuren, President of the EHF said “Thomas has become the welcome face of the EHF for all new UDP umpires as he has tirelessly organised their initial Seminar in Vienna over many years. He is an integral part of the EHF Umpires Committee, the Education Committee (Umpires Working Group) and played a vital role in the creation of the new 3 tier system of Education of Umpires. As one of our valued Volunteers it is my pleasure to be able to award him and EHF Diploma of Merit here in London during our EuroHockey Championships. It is a testament to the work of our Umpire Development Programme that Marcin Grochal (POL), Jakub Mezjlik (CZE), Geoff Conn (IRL), Laurine Delforge (BEL), Sarah Wilson (SCO), are all UDP Graduates here at this event. “
Photograph: Marijke Fleuren and Thomas Eilmer (Frank Uijlenbroek (c))