27th January 2021, Brussels, Belgium: The 2021 EuroHockey Club of the Year awards focused on community, volunteers and building back stronger from the pandemic. All these elements are relevant to our Club of the Year awards as each entry was assessed bearing in mind how our clubs are grasping with both hands to make sure that those opportunities are available to anyone who wants to be involved in hockey.
As Peter Elders, Chair of the EHF Development Committee enthused about club hockey
“We were delighted to read about projects being delivered to support communities and the local people. Thank you to all the volunteers who have delivered these projects on the ground.”
EuroHockey Large Club of the Year: KHC Dragons vzw (Belgium, Est. 1946)
Project Title: Introduction to hockey
Success outcome: Increased and sustained membership
On the EuroHockey award Jean-Paul Dumortier, board member of Dragon Hockey Club stated.
“KHC Dragons is very honoured and proud to have been elected as EHF Large Club of the year 2021.
This reward is important for all our volunteers in a year full of emotions and uncertainties. Their unconditional help has enabled KHC Dragons to reach its local, national and European goals. Thanks to the relentless input of the KHC Dragons volunteers, our Club has earned its place in the European hockey scene and is aiming to stay there, for many years to come!”
EuroHockey Small Club of the Year: City of Birmingham Hockey Club (England, Est. 2019)
Project Title: Welfare, health, and wellbeing of all members
Success outcome: Commitment in engaging positively with the community
On hearing of the award Jeevan Chagger, Chairperson of City of Birmingham Hockey Club (Men’s and Junior sections)
“City of Birmingham Hockey Club is delighted to have been named the European Hockey Federation Small Club of the Year 2021. Over the last few years, we have been working tirelessly to provide community hockey for all. Through restructuring and re-development of the club, we have now set foundations to continue to have a growing positive impact in our local areas. Behind the scenes, there are many volunteers who have worked and continue to work tirelessly, with drive and dedication and this award highlights their work and all our members who joined us to enjoy hockey. As we celebrate 90 years of history in 2022, this motivates us further to continue our positive impact and it is a huge honour for us, we could not be happier! We would like to thank all club members, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for helping bring the club to where it is today”
Each club received €1,000 to support ongoing project costs and a EuroHockey Club of the Year Pennant awarded to display in their clubhouses. For more information on EuroHockey development programmes, please visit www.eurohockey.org
