We are very proud of members of the European Hockey family who were honoured at the FIH Congress last weekend in New Delhi.
Our President, Marijke Fleuren was honoured with a President’s Award for her continuing outstanding services to hockey and especially for her role on the IOC Commission for Women.
President of Belgian Hockey, Marc Coudron was also honoured with a President’s Award for his leadership in the incredible growth of hockey in Belgium, both on and off the field.
Herman Kruis received the Etienne Glichitch for his work in Belarus and for the redirection of women’s hockey in particular. His approach to learning and having fun has paid huge dividends with an incredible bronze medal for the Belarus Women at the FIH Indoor World Cup.
The prestigious Pablo Negre Award was awarded to the KNHB acknowledging the fantastic twinning and sharing knowledge programme that the EHF and KNHB ran in the lead up to the 2017 EuroHockey Championships. This project has lead to real development in the twinned countries, with Dutch clubs sharing their knowledge and bonds of lifelong friendships have also grown across the continent.
Order of Merits awards were also awarded to Sue Catton, England, Alain Renaud, France and Dr. Peter Wefers Bettink for their immense work.
Finally, Wolfgang Hillmann, President of the DHB was on hand to accept a President’s award on behalf of the DHB’s U21 team. At the 2017 EuroHockey Championships, the German U21 team was due to face Spain in the Bronze medal game. Unfortunately, most of the Spain team had been struck down by a virus and could not play. During the medal ceremony the German squad, having been awarded the bronze medal unfurled a Spanish flag as a sign of solidarity with the players who were unable to play that day.
The EHF would like to thank all of you for your work for hockey and in particular the German U21 team. It is a very proud and important moment for hockey in Europe that our values of fairness are already instilled in the next generation of players and hopefully hockey leaders.