20th December 2017: The Executive Board met last weekend in Brussels for the last time in 2017. Whilst a relatively quiet period hockey wise, a lot has been going on in the office and committees. This weekend was very special as we hosted a Christmas farewell party to celebrate and to thank our leaving members of the Executive Board and especially Norman Hughes. It was a heart warming evening!
The Board received the following reports:
Competitions:
The Board received an update on the entries and applications to host for the different tournaments that will be held in 2019. David Voskamp (Competitions Manager) confirmed that the U14 EHCC girls will also take place during the EHCC in Surbiton. The new competitions committees will meet for the first time in March of the next year.
There was an Indoor committee webinar during the week and the Indoor tournaments are shaping up well. We are all looking forward to our Championship events (12/14 January (Men) and 19/21 January (Women), the WC Indoor in Berlin (7-11 February 2018), and then finally our Indoor Club events (16/18 February (Men) and 23/25 February (Women).
EHL:
Angus Kirkland began his report by thanking Jorge Alcover for securing a 4-year contract with the City of Barcelona and the Catalunya Hockey Federation for 3 EHL Round 1’s and one Final 4 event. The first edition was held in October and the EHL Board looks forward to building the event and profile of the city and EHL over the coming seasons. Work is underway with KO16 hosts Rotterdam and discussions are taking place with two Clubs for the Final 4.
Director Generals Report:
Angus informed the Board that a new set of Working Regulations had been drafted, with the help of Belgium Hockey, and would come into effect from Jan 1st. He updated the Board on the various contacts he has had with Member Nations regarding using the streaming platform and will update the Board again in March. He updated the Board on commercial contracts, he will be announcing a renewed partnership in due course. Angus then updated the Board about a site visit of the EuroHockey Championships 2019 and that the teams from Belgium and EHF would start meeting early in the New Year. Lastly, he reported on the FIH Continental Federation meeting that had taken place in Auckland. A number of presentations were received, and all continents shared their achievement in 2017 and goals for 2018.
Communications:
Siobhán Madeley (Communications Manager) and Simon Mason (Chair) presented an overview of the figures related to our different communications channels. They also presented the plan and main areas of focus for 2018. The Communications Committee becomes the Marketing and Communications Committee from 2018 onwards with our digital footprint supporting our commercial offering.
Development/Education:
Norman Hughes presented during what was his last Executive Board meeting, the different projects and goals for 2018 together with Tom Pedersen Smith, the new Development and Education Manager. They emphasised the importance of quality and not quantity for all these projects and the future. Tom presented to the Board the new Education prospectuses to help members more easily understand how the courses work and run.
Tom also set out a clear, empowering policy showing how we can encourage the role of women in our sport.
FIH report:
Walter Kapounek and Peter Elders reported to the Board on their respective, recent Competitions and Rules meetings with the FIH. Marijke Fleuren also gave her report about her last meetings with the FIH.
Hon. Treasurer’s Report:
The treasurer, Mika Rithila, updated the Board about the new VAT system that will apply to the EHF from 2018 on. The Board approved a proposal to initiate a new financial software pckage. He presented the updated forecast for 2018 to the Board and reported the October year to date and outlook figures for 2017.
Appointments:
Angus Kirkland updated the Board about the last meeting of the Appointments committee.
Nominations Committees:
The Board discussed the nominations to the different committees for the period 2018/2019 and approved the proposal made by the President and Office Bearers. All letters have been sent out now to the different people. The full list is available here.
The President and Director General closed off the meeting by thanking the Executive Board and all the Staff for their hard work and dedication. It has been a great year with a lot of important moments for Hockey in Europe. Many thanks to all our VOLUNTEERS and a Happy 2018!???
Click here for our Season’s Greetings!