28th March 2018: The Executive Board met for the first time in 2018 in the EHF office in Brussels on 23rd and 24th March.
The EHF President, Marijke Fleuren, was pleased that the Indoor season had gone well with a lot of excellent tournaments and where the fans could enjoy many of the matches live through eurohockeytv.org. Georgia and Cyprus both hosted events for the first time bringing the international game to their territories and helping inspire the next generation. The President was also pleased that she managed to meet, on her travels, the new Presidents of Poland and Ukraine, who are keen to play a bigger role at the European level.
The President visited the Indoor World Cup which was hosted wonderfully by DHB (German Hockey Bund) and she congratulated the German women and Austrian men on becoming Indoor World Champions.
The Board received the following reports:
Marketing & Communications: Siobhán Madeley (Communications Manager) updated the Board on the performance of the different social media channels and the targets for 2018. The new marketing and communications committee met the day before the Executive Board meeting and David Serrahima, the new co-chair of this committee, presented how the new sponsoring group will work to secure additional commercial partners.
Competitions: Walter Kapounek (Chair) reported on the recent indoor season at the beginning of the year. The new Indoor Committee met briefly and informally at the Indoor World Cup in Berlin.
The recommended venues for the Outdoor Senior, Junior and U16 tournaments in 2019 were discussed and agreed, and details will be published in a separate bulletin. The Board were happy to hear of the approved changes to the global calendar and the impact of this on EHF events will be discussed and agreed in the forthcoming Board meetings.
Euro Hockey League (EHL): Angus Kirkland updated the Board with the KO16/KO8 coming up next weekend in Rotterdam. The host for the Final 4 will be decided depending on the results of the KO16/KO8. The new points system for goals will be evaluated at the end of the EHL season. The discussion regarding the impact of the FIH calendar and the Pro League on future calendar dates of the EHL is ongoing.
Development: The new committee met for the first time earlier this month. Peter Elders (Chair) was delighted to meet the new members of the committee and see a lot of enthusiasm on their side. He reported to the Board on the activities planned for 2018. The Club of the Year was approved by the Board. The details of the winning clubs will be published on the EHF website in due course. A submission for an EU grant will be submitted by the Education and Development Manager, Tom Pedersen-Smith, by the end of the month.
Education: Inez Cooper (Chair) presented the reports of the 3 working groups (umpires, coaches, officials) who had met in Brussels earlier in March. Inez gave an update on plans and ongoing activities, across these three areas, for 2018.
Director Generals’ Report: Angus Kirkland updated the Board on the Continental Federations meeting held with the FIH. Angus went on to give an update on HR, the Facilities Committee work, the EuroHockey Championships 2019, bids for EuroHockey Championships 2021, streaming and a disciplinary update.
FIH Report: The President reported on the ongoing work of the FIH. Walter Kapounek and Peter Elders reported to the Board about their recent and future meetings with the FIH about competitions and rules respectively. The President shared her experience of the Paralympics Games, which she attended in Pyeongchang. Angus Kirkland highlighted the International Relations plan for 2018.
Hon. Treasurer’s Report: In absence of Mika Rihtila, Angus Kirkland presented the report of the end of year accounts for 2017. The new financial software is being successfully implemented and the Treasurer will present it in more detail during the next meeting.
Appointments Committee: Angus Kirkland presented the report on behalf of the Appointments Committee.
The next meeting will be held in Brussels on June 8th and 9th.
EHF Office 28th March 2018