This weekend 9 – 11 September, ParaHockey teams from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands will join the Belgian ParaHockey team to compete for the Integration Cup 2016. The third edition of this tournament will this time take place at KHC Dragons in Brasschaat, Belgium.
The EHF Youth Panel, who have been involved with this tournament in its previous editions, is present once again, with members Leen Ryckx, Roberta Ilijasev, Max Ryckx, and Pedro Avila all present at the event! Some of the teams even got a welcome delegation at the airport!
The weekend will kick off today with an opening meet and greet for the teams, where the players will get to meet new teammates and old ones, as some of the players attended the EHF Essen ParaHockey Festival in June.
Saturday will see an early start for the teams who will have breakfast before heading off to play. Games will be held continuously between 10:00 – 18:00 so if you are in Belgium, make sure to come and see some of the matches and experience ParaHockey first-hand. At 15:00 the first ladies’ team of Dragons and Victory HC will meet for a top hockey match. The day will end with a BBQ and party for all the participants.
Sunday will kick off with a vintage car rally, as the Dragons Classic Tour is joining the ParaHockey players this year and will donate proceeds from their fundraising to the ParaHockey section of KHC Dragons. Matches will begin at 10:00 and the final of the tournament will be held at 13:30, followed by an awards ceremony. To close the event, the men’s first team of Dragons and Braxgata HC will play a match at 16:00.
You can find a full schedule of matches on the event website. Huge thanks to ABN-AMRO and the Province of Antwerp, as well as KHC Dragons and the Youth Panel for their support and work for ParaHockey!
Don’t forget that next year alongside the EuroHockey Championships 2017, the fourth edition of the Euro ParaHockey Championships will take place 20 – 24 August. The Dutch Hockey Federation (KNHB) hopes to host 11 teams (of 12 players) to compete for the title and share an amazing experience. The tournament will be held in a local Amsterdam club, while the final will take place on the main pitch at the Wagener Stadium. Is your nation ready to bring a team? Or do you wish to volunteer at this tournament? Contact us with all your questions and download the 2017 ParaHockey Flyer for more information.