March 21st 2020 Executive Board Meeting Bulletin
Introduction
On Saturday 21st March the Executive Board held its first-ever Executive board meeting by video conference due to the ongoing travel restrictions regarding health safety surrounding COVID 19.
All Board members were present, and the President, Marijke Fleuren, welcomed everyone in these unusual circumstances and difficult times. The President highlighted that as well as the health impact there will be an economic impact to which all parties will be affected and that it is our responsibility to make decisions with fairness and solidarity at our heart.
The December minutes were reviewed and approved.
Competitions Outdoor
- The Board discussed all competition matters at length led by Walter Kapounek (Competitions Chair) and David Voskamp (Competitions Manager).
Clubs:
- It was agreed that the Women’s Club Trophy scheduled for Easter and all the other Club events scheduled for Whitsun are to be cancelled, due to the ongoing impact of COVID 19.
The EHF President, Marijke Fleuren said “We (the EHF Board) are very disappointed for every player, coach, official, umpire, fan and volunteer that we have to make this decision to cancel the EuroHockey Club Trophy and Challenge events for 2020.
This festival of hockey all around Europe, with our clubs being the focus is a highlight for me every year.
What we had to prevent is that everybody has to make a choice for her/himself. We had to take the decision to go on with or to cancel the matches with all your interests in our minds.
I wish the whole European hockey family well and I know that when we restart hockey in Europe we will find extra joy in seeing each other, our friends and families in our hockey clubs and being all together again”
- Ranking – the implications for the rankings were discussed and the EHF will inform National Associations of this in due course.
- The EHL Final8 is still on hold and options for it will be discussed with the EHL Board shortly.
Championships:
- A decision on whether the U18 and U21 competitions in summer 2020 will continue or not will be made before April 7th
- The host for the U18 boys and girls Championships, Kazan, Russia, has had to withdraw from hosting due to a Government directive – participating teams have been informed. (If by April 7th we decide we are going ahead with U18 events we will, at that point, look for a possible new host)
- Hockey5 Senior update – The FIH Hockey5s World Cup is scheduled for 2023. A first EHF event is scheduled for early July 2021 to determine the seedings for an EHF World Cup Qualifying event in 2022. Any National Associations willing to participate in the Hockey5s World Cup in 2023 MUST enter into the 2021 EuroHockey event.
- The hosts for 2021 EuroHockey Championships and EuroHockey5s U16 Championships were approved and will be announced in due course.
Competitions Indoor
- Deadlines for Indoor Clubs 2021 to be extended to June 1st, 2020 and Indoor Championships 2022 to September 1st2020.
Finance Report
Mika Rithila updated the Board on the Finances.
A Finance meeting had taken place earlier in the week and the 2019 year-end figures were shown which are upon the approved budget figure. These management accounts will be sent to the auditor who will have the audited accounts ready for the June Board meeting.
Work has begun on assessing various scenarios coming from the current uncertain global situation. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. It was agreed to hold sending Competition entry invoices until a clearer picture emerges so that a fair and equitable solution can be sent.
Director-General Report
Angus Kirkland updated the Board on progress with the planning for the EHC 2021 in Amsterdam.
He updated the Board on the bids received for the EHC 2023 and the Bid Committee was confirmed as Marijke Fleuren, Inez Cooper, Walter Kapounek, Bjorn Isberg and Angus Kirkland.
Since the last Board meeting the EHF has sent in correspondence to the FIH regarding the calendar and World Cup qualification and about the Targeted Assistance Programme. Angus will follow up with the FIH on these matters. The next FIH Executive Board is scheduled for June 5th/6th.
A report from the Disciplinary Commissioner was circulated.
Angus reported that the Athletes Committee had, had its first meeting by Conference Call and that this was very positive and future dates for meetings are in the calendar.
Angus updated the Board that Monika Ivanauskaite had joined the staff as Administration Manager last Wednesday. He and the team will do their best to welcome and induct her at this time.
Other Reports
Inez Cooper and Magda Nazaret reported that the Education and Officials Committee meeting had gone well and was very fruitful.
It was reported that the Development Manager Tom Pedersen Smith was working hard on applications to Erasmus+. Funding from this channel would be very welcome.
All other reports were taken as read.
Next meeting
The Board will meet by Conference Call on Saturday 4th April.
