Over the past month, a number of key figures in the EuroHockey family have been honoured for their incredible service to the sport in Europe and beyond.
EuroHockey President’s Award – Norman Hughes
Norman was presented with the EuroHockey President’s Award (pictured above) following his incredible work to promote and develop Hockey ID.
Following a successful playing career, reaching the Olympic Games with Great Britain, he went on to become one of the leading lights in promoting inclusivity in our sport through EuroHockey and, now, within the FIH.
Speaking about his impact, EuroHockey Honourary Life President Marijke Fleuren said: “You have a rich history of playing hockey at the Olympic Games, but since then, your heart and passion have allowed this great sport to flourish for all others across five continents.
“You always endeavour that hockey should foster excitement across all communities and ensure a clear vision of collaboration and acceptance. You have been ambitious to build a highly effective body of supporters worldwide in your own time to expand the capabilities of current and future generations who have an intellectual disability to love the game and those involved with a 500% increase in nations playing worldwide since you took this upon yourself.
“You bring an innovative mindset, inspiring people – something they want to be involved in! You have been instrumental in getting international bodies to sign MOUs to support the inclusive need for all to play sports.
“You always have a vision of acceptance and will incorporate everyone. You champion that sport and physical activity have a unique reach to energise the local community and beyond. You invigorate teams and partners to be and feel empowered by sport and for leadership to enact those feelings.”
The EuroHockey President’s Award is offered to those with long and valuable services to hockey, whether direct or indirect, or services which have had an indisputable beneficial effect for hockey at European level.
Members of Honour
Bjorn Isberg
Bjorn was president of the Swedish federation (SLHF) for 15 years from 1997 to 2012 and has served on numerous EuroHockey committees including development, competitions and regulations as well as being on the FIH Finance and Umpiring committees.
He umpired internationally before becoming a EuroHockey tournament official in 1998 and has subsequently been a TD for Olympic Games, World Cups and EuroHockey Championships.
Simon Mason
Simon’s influence on EuroHockey is far-reaching from his roles as a player, administrator, commentator and a board member for 12-years. After three Olympic Games, he became a member of the FIH’s athletes committee for a decade while he was the president of England Hockey from 2010 to 2013.
Since election to the EuroHockey board, he played a key role in communications guidance, in particular via the development of the organisation’s broadcast and streaming projects.
“You are quite simply one of the good guys,” said Marijke Fleuren when presenting the honour. “You have no agenda other than doing your best for your sport, and passionately pursue excellence in all that he does. You are ‘our’ Simon.”
Mika Rihtila
Mika has been the EuroHockey treasurer since 2011 following extensive experience in both hockey and finance. He won 18 Finnish national titles as a player, coach or manager before becoming a club president and a board member of the Finnish Hockey Association.
With EuroHockey, he used his vast knowledge of finance and administration to join the finance committee in 2009 before taking on the treasurer role.
“You have modernised our financial system to realise that we could see every moment of the day what was the status of our finances,” said Marijke Fleuren. “It gives us the opportunity to make the right decisions. You worked very hard to get the system in place for our new EuroHockey platform. We are very grateful for that!”
Diploma of Merit
Sylvie Petitjean
Sylvie was presented with her Diploma of Merit during the EuroHockey Championship II event in Prague where she was the technical delegate. She has been involved for many years with both EuroHockey and FIH committees, working with the appointments and education panels for the former and on the officials committee for the latter.
At the presentation in Prague, Marijke Fleuren said: “EuroHockey thanks Sylvie for her outstanding contribution to our sport by her performance as official in all capacities during many years, but also by supporting and educating new talents to do this important work! I am very grateful to her!”
Sabina Zampetti
Sabina was awarded a Diploma of Merit at the recent general assembly, honouring her life in the sport. Following an international playing career with Italy, she became vice president of the national associations’ athlete’s committee and a key organiser in Italian hockey.
Beyond her EuroHockey work on the board and with the communications committee, she has been a technical delegate for over a decade, most recently at the EuroHockeyID Championship in Mönchengladbach. In Italy, she has been a long-term mmeber of the executive board of CONI and the Italian multi-sports women’s network.
Udo Rolle
For over 20 years, Udo has been an appointed medical officer for EuroHockey and FIH events while also making contributions to IOC and ASOIF medical meetings alongside experience in anti-doping measures and injury prevention.
During Covid times, he also played a leading role in guiding EuroHockey’s response to the pandemic, setting the parameters for 25 events to be run under such conditions. He also chairs the FIH Health & Safety Committee, advising on the physical and psychological wellbeing of athletes, officials, coaches, event staff and spectators.
