Today our Friday Focus comes from the Olympic town of Terrassa! On 23rd June 2018 the EHF Vice President Carola Meyer and EHF Education and Development Manager travelled to Átletic Terrassa Hockey Club to present the club with their EHF Large Club of the Year.
The Vice president, Carola said that it was her pleasure to be in Terrassa to present this important award.
She thanked Oriol Cortada for this invitation and for putting together a very comprehensive entry on behalf of the club.
Speaking about the club she said “A club like ATHC does not exist without many years of hard work from many volunteers and staff and this award is not just a recognition for the year of 2017 but for all the years before that has gone into building this great club.Having read your entry a few of the achievements ready stood out for me.”
She then highlighted what the EHF felt were the major achievements of the club which ensured that they would take this prestigious award ” You have had a significant increase in your participation of women’s teams, it is vital that we keep women in sport, so well done on this excellent achievement.”
“You have made learning a priority over winning for your junior teams, this emphasis is often not a priority and I commend you for taking this important step that children can learn good hockey skills early in their hockey lives!”
“You have 2 ParaHockey teams, as we are in the middle of the European ParaHockey event in Barcelona, I have to say a big well done to the club in being an active part in being inclusive and making our beloved sport available for all.”
She referenced that when the 2011 financial crash hit, it had a massive impact on Spain and indeed all of Europe. She said ‘It is often in the face of adversity that we have to look inside ourselves and how we overcome the challenges. To find a solution with public and private funding to replace your pitch is a testament to how you have overcome these challenges, well done!”
Finally she said “I must commend you on your values; respect, team and commitment. There is no doubt in my mind you live these values every day in this club.”
The lunch was attended by:
Carola Meyer – VicePresident EHF, Santi Deó – President Real Federación Española de Hockey (RFEH)Tom Pedersen – Development & Education Manager EHF, Josep Maria Biosca – President Atlètic Terrassa, Oscar Pallarols – Vicepresident Atlètic Terrassa, Miquel Cunill – Hockey Section President Atlètic Terrassa, Joan Castelló – Board Secretary Atlètic Terrassa, Xavi Adell – President Catalan Hockey Federation (FCH) and Oriol Cortada – General Manager Atlètic Terrassa
Well done ATHC and best wishes from all of us for the future!
Want to know more about the EHF Club of the Year award – click here.