The 37th EuroHockey General Assembly brought together 29 national associations, the FIH President and Director General, and further key stakeholders for a two-day meeting in Mönchengladbach.
The highly productive assembly gave time to reflect on the past year, showcase central initiatives and outline how EuroHockey can work for its members.
Day one began with the launch of three key projects – the EuroHockey Foundation, the Inclusion Charter and the Organisational Health service.
It was followed by a series of masterclasses, looking at Leadership and Management; national strategies; a commercial round-table; organisational health; digital transformation; an officials masterclass; and an update on the pitches of the future.
Day two was formally opened by Mayor Mönchengladbach Felix Heinrichs before FIH President Tayyab Ikram and Director General Mike Joyce presented to the audience about their global engagement.
They emphasised the key priorities, namely: partnerships, sustainability, membership services, and international relations. They highlighted education through the FIH Academy, sustainability innovations such as dry turf technology, and funding and grant opportunities to support national associations.
EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann then reflected on a landmark year shaped by the Paris Olympics last summer.
He praised the year’s extensive competition calendar, from elite championships to development events, engaging over 5,500 players and staff across Europe.
Hosts and promoters were hailed as pillars of success, while growing investment in communications and marketing aims to make EuroHockey a reliable content creator in a competitive sports landscape. Hofmann announced the creation of a commercial panel, led by Vice President Inez Cooper, to explore new structures and revenue streams.
Development milestones included the Organisational Health Framework, piloted in six nations and expanding with EU and FIH funding, and continued leadership in inclusion, with EuroHockey taking second place in the EU #BeInclusive Awards and launching a new inclusion charter. The newly founded EuroHockey Foundation will focus on gender equality, urban outreach, and intellectual disability inclusion.
Hofmann reaffirmed Europe’s historic and ongoing influence in global hockey, rooted in service, duty, and responsibility, and thanked the board for key achievements including expanding the EuroHockey Championships, launching the Foundation, and strategic investment. He closed by pledging EuroHockey’s continued support for its members.
After presentations from Bulgaria and Hungary on their Organisational Health, Croatia’s Slaven Zlatar was presented with a EuroHockey Diploma of Merit.
Gabriele Lemmle and Patrick Keusters were honoured for their service on the executive board while Members of Honour were presented with a new EuroHockey gilded pin.
Inez Cooper and Walter Kapounek were both re-elected at Vice Presidents of EuroHockey.
Gizem Karaali Karadağ from Türkiye was elected as an Ordinary Member (female) of the board while Christian Deckenbrock and Peter Elders were elected as Ordinary Member (male).
Christoph van Dessel was elected as the final Ordinary Member (male or female) following the final vote of the meeting.
