4th April 2017: The Executive Board of the European Hockey Federation met for the first time in 2017 over last weekend in Barcelona, Spain. They met in Barcelona to acknowledge the enormous contribution of Jorge Alcover to the European Hockey.
The Board was in full attendance and was delighted to be invited to hold their meeting at the Union of Sports Federations of Catalonia (UFEC) office. The Board had the opportunity to meet with Mr Gerard Esteva, President and Mr Jordi Sans, Director of UFEC and Mr Narcis Carrio, President of the Catalan Hockey Federation.
Marijke pictured with Gerard Figueras
The Board were also very honoured to be invited to visit the Palace de la Generalitat de Catalonia which houses the offices of the Presidency of the Generalitat, where they met with Mrs Neus Munté, Minister of the Presidency. They were given a tour of the Palace by Mr Gerard Figueras, the Secretary of Sports of the Catalan Government, who also hosted a dinner for the Executive Board on Friday evening. We were very happy to also be joined by the former FIH President and EHF Member of Honour Leandro Negre.
The Board pictured with Mrs Neus Munté, Minister of the Presidency
The Board also met with Mr Santi Deo, President of the Real Federación Española de Hockey who hosted a lunch for the Board on Saturday.
There was a full agenda and after the Welcome of the President the Executive Board received reports from:
Director General
Angus Kirkland presented a report from Tim Ollerenshaw on Disciplinary issues. He also reported on the EU Sport Forum which he recently attended, the plans for the EHF Athletes Committee, a Commercial Update, and a review of our internal operations. Angus informed the Board of the Live Streaming platform options for 2018 onwards.
The Board was also presented with proposals for the format of the upcoming General Assembly.
Communications Committee
Simon Mason, Chair of the committee presented his report, updating the Board on the Hall of Fame, the Website, Digital Content Plan, Hall of Fame and analysis of our communications channels for the first quarter of the year.
Outdoor Committee
Bjorn Isberg (Chair Competitions Committee) presented the report from his committee, including updates an all outdoor competitions in 2017 – Clubs, EHL, Junior EHL, Youth (U16 Hockey 5s), Junior and Senior.
The Board was presented with and approved some regulations changes.
The Board approved the proposed venues to host the EuroHockey Youth U18 tournaments in 2018.
Details of both will be published shortly on the EHF website.
Indoor Committee
Walter Kapounek presented a report updating the Board on the completed Indoor season for 2017. It was reported that Indoor Championship III (Men) 2018 will take place in Nicosia, Cyprus. There was originally no offer to host this tournament, however following a request by the Competitions Committee Indoor the Board was delighted to hear that the Cyprus Hockey Federation has agreed to host their first EuroHockey tournament.
Euro Hockey League
Jorge Alcover updated the Board on the progress of planning for EHL KO16 in Oranje Rood.
Education Committee (Coaches, Umpires & Officials Working Groups)
Inez Cooper, Chair of the committee presented the reports from the 3 Working Groups who had met in Brussels the previous weekend. It was noted that a tremendous amount of acticvity was being delivered by a large number of committed volunteers.
Coaches – Inez gave an update on plans and ongoing activity for 2017 for TCP, C4E and Supporting National Growth.
Umpires – Inez gave an update on plan and ongoing activity for 2017 for UDP, U4E and Supporting National Growth.
Officials – Inez reported on the plans for 2017 & 2018, including a TO Seminar which took place in Brussels over the weekend.
Development Projects Committee
Gianni Rossi, Chair of the committee updated the board on various Development activities including Club of the Year Presentations, EHF Youth Panel, ParaHockey and EHF/KNHB Sharing Knowledge and Twinning Programme.
The Executive Board approved the proposal from the Development Projects Committee for Club of the Year winners 2016, they were very happy to hear that there was a record number of entries this year – 11 countries with 15 applications.
Details of the winning clubs will be published on the EHF website in due course.
Appointments Committee
Angus Kirkland presented on behalf of Ray O’Connor, Appointments Committee Chair.
Hon. Treasurer
Hon Treasurer Mika Rihtila reported on a meeting the previous day with the Finance Committee including the management accounts for 2016.
President’s Report
Marijke Fleuren updated the Board on her activities during the last months which were mainly FIH orientated. She informed the Board that she was invited by the United Nations in Geneva to participate in a panel debate about Gender Champions which she felt as a big honour. She reported on the most recent Executive Board meeting of the FIH, its new committee structure and Home and Away league progress. She also invited the EHF Executive Board and staff to sign up together to support the HeforShe policy, which they did simultaneously on Saturday morning. This policy supports the idea that together men and women have to work on gender equality .