We are proud to announce the 2018 EHF Club of the Year Winners as Mladost HC and Royal Victory HC.
EHF President Marijke Fleuren said of the winners: “The applications by all clubs were amazing, I am so proud to see so much development across the hockey clubs we have in Europe. The innovative projects that clubs run on and off the field of play are an inspiration to me. There is a true sense of a strong club community across our hockey family in Europe. I would like to congratulate all clubs involved with special praise to Royal Victory and Mladost for their awards.”
Each winning club will receive up to 500 Euros towards kit and equipment from the European Hockey Federation.
Mladost Hockey Club
EHF Club of the Year, Small Club
The Croatian Academic Hockey Club in 2018 marked the 115th anniversary of this sport in Croatia. Mladost HC claim a great facility and quote “our highly qualified coaches are for hockey players what Hawaii is for surfers!” within the great facility they boast official club rooms, dressing rooms and social facilities for joint gatherings and social gatherings. With now 204 club members in all categories increasing the number of players by 48 in 2018.
The club consists of three male senior teams, one female senior team and one veteran (masters) team. Of the younger categories, there are two cadet teams and two pioneering teams. The male senior teams have fourteen titles of Croatian championships and the female senior team has five Croatian title titles.
To all of them, as well as to many who are not mentioned here, it is part of the success and pride of creating a club and a healthy sports spirit, which has helped alongside sports success members of the club also have a number of successful projects. Including the Fitness for Moms project, the EU Erasmus+ Project ‘Active 4 Life’ & as well as hosting a Hockey World Series in 2018 and the Hockey Museum History programme was showcased all in 2018. Plans for 2019 include upgrading the pitch and indoor facilities.
“We are pleased and honoured to accept this award from EHF and very grateful for recognizing our effort on and off the field. This award is proof that we are on the right way and give us an incentive for further work. My special thanks to all members which help us to have such a beautiful and memorable time in our club. Belonging to Mladost means belonging to a family. Big, extended and diverse.” President ANDRIJA JAZBEC
Royal Victory Hockey Club
EHF Club of the Year, Large Club
Established 100 years ago, in 1919, Royal Victory Hockey Club has a unique position in the Belgian hockey landscape. Located in a southern suburb of Antwerp, Victory has almost inadvertently become the country’s second largest hockey club with about 1600 members. However, the club views membership growth as a consequence, and not as a target. The club’s top priorities are to integrate its main stakeholders (players, volunteers and fans) and to provide an ideal framework for these stakeholders to flourish. The club’s main ambition towards its members is that they should feel as welcome and appreciated as in their own tight family. It wants its members to combine their
love and passion for hockey with enthusiasm for their club so that everyone feels at home. This is translated into the club’s motto: Live Hockey. Love Victory.
The club and its members have invested heavily in developing an ambitious infrastructure. The club’s MasterPitch project consists of three elements: two new water pitches and a new clubhouse. The two new pitches were handed over in 2018. Construction on the new clubhouse should be completed by the start of the 2019-2020 season. As the club’s infrastructure has reached a new level, Victory stands ready to assume a more prominent and outspoken position. In line with its national pioneering tradition, Victory will organise the 2019 Euro ParaHockey Championships in August. In addition, as Victory attaches great importance to youth development, the club is seriously considering organising several national and international top hockey youth events. These initiatives will complement the club’s already full calendar of club and open events.
Leo Lucas, Victory president, says: “Royal Victory Hockey Club is privileged, proud and grateful to be awarded the EHF Club of the Year award for large clubs. This award recognises the giant steps our club has taken in creating a top-level infrastructure and inviting atmosphere for our hockey family; competitive, recreational and para hockey players, volunteers, relatives, sponsors and so many other stakeholders. It couldn’t have come at a better moment as Victory has just entered its centenary celebration year. It will energize our family, even more, to make 2019 a memorable year for hockey on local, regional, national and European level.”