1st November 2016: As we have already mentioned, the EHF is highlighting the European candidates who are standing for the upcoming FIH Elections.
We spoke to Erik Cornelissen, President of the KNHB, who is standing for election to the FIH Board.
Erik currently sits on the Risk and Compliance Committee of the FIH. Given his Law background this enables him to speak with authority on these matters for the FIH. A proficient hockey player who played in the Premier Dutch League for 8 years, but now rather’s offering his time and energy to hockey, off the field of play.
We asked Erik about his vision for hockey and his desire for the future:
“Hockey is a global sport. A successful sport we can be justly proud of. Strong competitions and events strengthen the sport of hockey even further; both in
sporting and financial terms as well as in the media. But hockey is also an integral part of society, and therefore directly impacts social issues. It is very important that we profile our sport correctly on the complex, ever- changing global playing field. It is my desire to make hockey bigger, broader and better worldwide. And for us, together, to roll up our sleeves and continue to stimulate involvement in and commitment to the sport we love.”
Erik also spoke about how sharing knowledge is an intricate part of the policy of the KNHB and as President it is something he fully endorses
“It is vitally important for the development of the sport that we share our knowledge and experience with one another. Both specific knowledge concerning hockey and centrally held information and data. In the Netherlands we are aware of our privileged position and in the KNHB we have developed new opportunities and ways of thinking, thanks in part to its international relationships and exchange programmes. The KNHB feels that it should help in the development of hockey as a sport worldwide. At present, together with the EHF, the KNHB is helping ten smaller European countries with knowledge and resources to further develop hockey through a broad ‘Twinning project’ – these countries include Poland, Croatia and Austria. Progress is being made in areas such as the development of technical staff, refereeing, club development and para-hockey. Outside of Europe, cooperations are currently up and running between Dutch hockey clubs and organisations in India, Cuba, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, among others.”
When we asked him as to what sets him apart and why the members should vote for him, he said “My key drivers, both in my business life and in hockey, are cooperation, innovation, execution and commitment. I combine a strong business background, in particular in the media industry, with a thorough knowledge and experience of (international) hockey. As a former top hockey player, I am as much focused on developing hockey from the grassroots up as on high-performance sport and large events.”
For more information on the other candidates click here
Photograph courtesy of Koen Suyk (c)