It’s #FridayFocus and time to look at our Youth Leadership panel (YLP). The new EHF YLP met at the weekend in the EHF Head Office to review the previous year and to plan actions for delivery over the coming two years. The EHF YLP compromises of young leaders aged between 18-30 representing each region of the EHF’s member nations.
The panel reviewed the aims, mission and objectives and agreed upon the following
Aim:
Give youth the real voice in European Hockey development
Priorities
- Youth Hockey: Supporting the increase of young people involved in hockey
- ParaHockey: Increase the amount of European Nations playing ParaHockey
- Youth Leadership: The EHF to provide a pathway to committees in nations and/or with the EHF
- Work Experience: Across a range of hockey programmes, this could be development, competitions and marketing
The panel discussed feedback from the 47 participants of the EHF Youth Festival held alongside the European Championships in Antwerp last summer. They used this feedback to build the initial structures and foundations for the 2021 addition which will be held in Amsterdam in August 2021.
The YLP was really happy to see such positive, ambitious feedback about the festival in 2019 which exceeded expectations and the challenge the panel face is to build upon on that with the support of the EHF, KNHB and partners. We thank again all of our special guests in Antwerp last year.
Individual roles and responsibilities were presented and evaluated in regards to ParaHockey development and arrangements have been put forward to the EHF for the organisation of the 2021 Euro ParaHockey Championships. The YLP is clear, as the EuroHockey Championships is athlete-centred, the Euro ParaHockey Championships must consider any proposed amendments changes to reflect an athlete-centred event. The EHF and KNHB will be announcing the host of the 2021 Championships and the YLP is looking forward to working with the hosts to exceed the athletes’ expectations!
A strong desire amongst the group is the activation of more young leaders across the EHF network of member federations. The YLP is backing the EHF to partner with Federations over the coming weeks for a submission of funding to the European Union. This would enable a formalised pilot to be tested to provide more young people with the opportunities to gain certified experiences that would excel their roles with hockey and their own careers ranging from leadership, management and event delivery skills.
The EHF continue to offer work experience opportunities alongside staff at events through 2020. So don’t be surprised to be introduced to the inspiring and skilled young leaders who will be present and supporting events in the Hague, Poznan, Kazan and Amsterdam over the coming months!
Exciting times ahead for a great group of committed young leaders!