EHF and FCH sign Memorandum of Understanding
On the occasion of the EHF Champions League VELUX FINAL4 on Sunday 30 May 2010, the European Handball Federation (EHF) and the newly constituted body Forum Club Handball (FCH) held a joint press conference in the LANXESS arena of Cologne.
Both organisations were represented by top level officials at the event and the Memorandum of Understanding, a strategic document on the future cooperation of European Handball stakeholders, was signed.
EHF President Tor Lian, Vice-president Jean Brihault and Secretary General Michael Wiederer took part on behalf of the European Handball Federation; FCH President Tomaz Jersic, FHC Vice-president/GCH President Joan Marin and FCH/GCH Managing Director Gerd Butzeck represented Forum Club Handball.
EHF President Tor Lian welcomed the representatives and summarised the results of the Presidents’ Meeting held over the weekend in Cologne.
Following this report, Joan Marin, GCH President, outlined the cooperation between EHF and Group Club Handball (GCH) and the development that led to the agreement.
FCH President Tomaz Jersic introduced Forum Club Handball and gave an account of the General Assembly that took place the day before. The newly constituted FCH will be the body representing the interests of European top clubs in the Professional Handball Board (PHB), a top level body creating the strategies and shaping the future of European handball.
The Vice-president of the EHF, Jean Brihault, gave further information on the Professional Handball Board and introduced its detailed structure to the public.
The PHB will comprise of 10 members altogether – two members representing all the following stakeholders: European top clubs, European Handball Leagues, Top Players, National Federations as well as the EHF Executive Committee. The EHF President and the EHF Secretary General will be part of the PHB without voting rights. In addition, the Chairman of the PHB will be acting as a member of the EHF Executive Committee.
Following the presentation of the structure, the parties moved on to adopting the Memorandum of Understanding. EHF President Tor Lian and Secretary General Michael Wiederer signed for the EHF; FCH President Tomaz Jersic and FHC Vice-president/GCH President Joan Marin signed for FCH.
The press conference took place in the framework of the EHF CL VELUX FINAL4 where representatives of 35 National Federations and European top clubs were present. The Memorandum of Understanding will be followed by the EHF Congress on 24/25 September 2010 in Copenhagen for approving the motion “Professional Handball Board”.
Therefore, the premiere EHF FINAL4 event has become – in addition to a successful and memorable handball competition – a milestone in the cooperation of the stakeholders in European Handball Sport.
TEXT:
EHF