The EuroHockey Development Committee convened in Brussels last week for a full-day strategic meeting focused on strengthening national associations by encouraging ownership of their development pathways.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders to align on progressive strategies, club development, youth leadership, and organisational health.
The first focus was on membership with a focus on Dutch Hockey’s system from a club and member national association perspective, asking: “why and how you should have a membership programme?”
The next session was entitled “Clubs – the beating heart of Europe”, looking at the process and delivery of how national associations celebrate our clubs.
Bulgarian Hockey’s Dimitri Dubuisson concluded the morning’s activities with a look at how his organisation planned, launched and operate a new strategic plan, one which they released this year with the help of EuroHockey’s Soldiarity through Great Governance.
After a lunchtime networking session, the afternoon theme was on Organisational Health and using your insight to grow the sport.
The focus was on identifying what each national association wants and aligning that with strategic roadmaps.
Emphasis was placed on partnerships with ministries of sport and national Olympic committees to elevate hockey’s profile.
It was followed by a presentation on Croatian Hockey’s experience of hosting the Indoor World Cup, setting the stage for discussions on strategy for their future.
A dedicated Youth Leadership Challenge session explored how to amplify youth voices and inspire grassroots mobilisation.
The meeting concluded by looking ahead to define the key topics for future meetings in 2025, August’s General Assembly, and the process for nominating members to the committee for the year ahead.
“It was again great to see the energy in the room when this Committee meets. The successes show what we can achieve. But at the other hand it’s time for each national association to truly own their development story. We’re here to support, but progress starts from within,” said EuroHockey Board Members Cathelijne Rockall and Peter Elders who are both on the EuroHockey Development Committee.
