IFF Central Board meeting 3/2018
Participants: Excused: § 1. Opening of the meeting CB decided: To approve the report § 2. Approval of the agenda Appendix 2 - IFF Financial Report 2018, sent on 31.08.2018 § 3 Minutes from the CB meeting: § 4. Economy However, the liquidity is down by around 38,000 CHF, compared to previous year. This is due to the outstanding payments of the WFC 2017 organiser, but the Slovak association has informed and have sent in the receipt that they have paid a total of 52.528,41 CHF to reduce their debt on the 31st of August. CB decided: To approve the report. b) Information on IFF claims – status August 31st, 2018 The paying back of debts has basically been very slow during summer and the association‘s with the biggest problem seems to be Latvia where the debt has increased since last meeting due to the non-payment of the Annual fee 2018. Mr. Kratz has been in contact with the Latvians and been very clear about the fact that the updated license system will be in full force from the registrations to the WFC and U19 2020 in the end of this year. The Latvian association has due to reduced governmental support increased their debt but have agreed upon a new payment plan with the IFF. Slovakia is aware of the license system and has not change their aim of paying off their debt before the last of December this year and have made a large payment by the end of August. The following actions needs to be taken in connection to the registration of the teams for the WFC 2020, as the dead-line for registration was in the end of December 2018, in accordance of the IFF License System 2.0. The association must be without debts to IFF by the time of the registration to be guaranteed participation but also associations following a set up plan to pay off their debts may be given the possibility to participate. For the WFC 2019 the association must be without debts by the end of year 2018, to be able to participate in the qualifications. Mr. Klabere pointed out that there soon will be a problem with the countries which have been accumulating their debt, formed from unpaid membership fees. These are also unsure claims and can cause some issues in the future. Mr. Eriksson answered that this has been discussed with the auditor and the solution has to be discussed in the end of the year, in order to take away the uncertain claims. CB decided: To approve the reports c) IFF General Assembly 2018, Prague, Czech Republic The invitation for the IFF GA shall be sent out 90 full days prior to the GA, which is on the 7th of September 2018. The member associations are to hand in all proposals, nominations and motions to the IFF GA 60 full days prior to the IFF GA, which is the 7th of October 2018. The IFF CB shall send out all proposals and materials of the GA 30 full days before the meeting, on the 7th of November 2018. The CB is to approve the announcement of the IFF GA (Appendix 5) and it shall be sent out until the 7th of September. The Agenda for the IFF GA will be sent out after the CB meeting in November. The normal topics to be discussed at the GA are the Annual Report 2017 – 2018, Plan of Action 2019 – 2020 and the Budget 2019 – 2020. The Special Topics are for this GA are the already CB approved proposal of the Statutes change (maybe some changes from the Ethics Commission still to come) and then the still to be prepared License System Implementation and Future of Floorball documents. Mr. Suman asked if it would be important to include the information of the City Reception of the City of Prague on Friday the 7th. Based on the discussions of the ExCo the possible persons to be invited to the GA and the WFC 2018 are: Mr. Eriksson is further to inform that the CB members are welcomed to arrive on Wednesday the 5th of December. The CB meeting will be held on Friday the 7th of December and the IFF General Assembly on the 8th. CB decided: To approve the reports, send out the Announcement of the IFF General Assembly 2018 and apply for the IOC Patronage of the WFC 2018. § 5. World Championships Further Mr. Liljelund reported on the TV situation. The final agreements with Czech TV have been made and Czech TV will produce all matches and transfer the signal to satellite of IFF‘s, from where IFF will distribute the signal. Mr. Eriksson congratulated Mr. Beer and the Swiss association for opening the contact with the Swiss TV and securing the cooperation. Mr. Beer told of the positive development and the work done in the last year. CB decided: To approve the reports b) U19 WFC 2019, Halifax, Canada The U19 WFC 2019 LOC are running the preparations of the Event in accordance with plans and have started marketing locally and sponsor sales. CB decided: To approve the report c) U19 WFC 2020, Harbin, China Based on the discussion in the previous CB meeting in Zürich, the Office has made inquiries to find another organizer. As a result of this, discussions have been held and an agreement signed with Sweden to organise the U19 WFC 2020 in Uppsala, Sweden. The Swedish association has asked IFF to make a joint press release of the organisation on Monday the 3rd of September at 11:00 CET, so the information is to be kept secret until that. CB decided: To approve the report and confirm Sweden as organiser of the U19 WFC 2020. d) WFC 2019 Mr. Suman felt that the TV cooperation will help the preparations and execution of the event. On behalf of Mr. Kratz, Mr. Halonen reported that Thailand will organise the AOFC qualification in Bangkok, the Americas qualification probably in Detroit and Poland respective Slovakia will organise the European qualifications. Match schedules are under production and will be finalised during September. CB decided: To approve the report e) Upcoming organisers Mr. Nurminen reported on the preparations of the SSBL for the WFC 2020 and the contracting of Mr. Janne Bruun, from the WFC 2020 LOC reported that the event will be played for the group Mr. Suman felt that you can never start early enough, but it feels that this time the Finns are well on-time. Mr. Suman asked if the second venue, is of the level of the WFC 2020. Mr. Bruun answered that the 2nd venue just needs a bit more decoration. Mr. Liljelund reported that the WFC agreement negotiations have been finalized after a good process and the agreement is signed. IFF has also finalized the negotiations with Finnish YLE, concerning the TV broadcast and production, it will be executed as it was done in Tampere. CB decided: To approve the reports WFC 2021, Uppsala, Sweden Mr. Liljelund reported that discussions have been held with Sweden, as the Chinese Floorball CB decided: To approve the report and confirm Sweden as organiser of the WFC 2021. § 6. EuroFloorball Cup The cancelling of the EFC 2018 due to lack of organiser and the difficulties to find organisers to the club competitions and the qualifications to the WFC and U19 WFC was discussed in the RACC meeting 18-19.08. A proposal will be produced during the autumn and possibly put forward to the CB meeting in October. During the EuroFloorball Challenge the situation was discussed with participants of the EFCh in Madrid. Mr. Klabere expresses that some countries feel that as the winner of the EFC can‘t play in the Champions Cup, they are not interested to play in the EFC. The general view is that there might be teams willing to participate if the EFC in the future. Mr. Liljelund felt that we need to wait for the RACC proposal. Mr. Suman hope that this will be a wake-up call for the clubs and the associations, that they need to react to the situation and take the organisation. CB decided: To approve the report. b) EuroFloorball Challenge 2018 Mr. Reehuis asked if there could be a different way of playing in the EFCh. Mr. Klabere informed that the EFCh jury chair had already reported that it could be a good event for the new system. CB decided: To approve the report. c) Champions Cup 2019 Mr. Klabere and Mr. Nurminen further reported on the preparations of the Champions Cup 2019 – Final Four, to be played in Gävle, Sweden on the 3rd and 4th of January 2019. The tournament is played in connection to the Swedish Association Youth tournament. The ballot for the Champions Cup will be in connection with the SSL season press congress on the 11th of September. IFF and the Swedish Association has signed the agreement for the Champions Cup 2019. CB decided: To approve the report § 7. Committees and Ad Hoc group reports Based on the earlier discussions within the ExCo, the IFF Office has continued the process for registration of IFF in Lausanne and the Canton du Vaud. With legal assistance from former IFF International Referee Mr. Philippe Renz, there is finally a clear picture how to finalize the registration of the IFF in Switzerland. Based on this knowledge the necessary documents are being prepared. As the registration process will also entail changes to the IFF Statutes this has also been prepared in order to have the suggested changes ready when the material for the General Assembly are sent out. Mr. Liljelund reported that the IFF Ethics Commission (ETC) has received a second complaint from Ms. Belinda Cameron and Ms. Fiona Cameron concerning the Australian Floorball Federation treatment of them. The matter has been dealt with by the IFF Ethics Commission, which has made a decision in the matter. (Appendix 8) CB decided: To approve the reports b) CB members responsibilities Mr. Lopez has handed in a written report about the on the development in Central and Latin America and the plans for the future. (Appendix 9). Brazil has launched a Portuguese version of the Rules of the Game. In Mexico more and more activities are ongoing and in the Dominican Republic some school activities is ongoing. There is a plan to have a seminar in Central America, but it is a bit problematic to find a venue. Mr. King reported on the recent development in the AOFC region and the AOFC General Assembly. (Appendix 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d). In Thailand there is a campaign to introduce the sport to schools and the AOFC President is active in introducing the sport to new countries. In addition, Mr. King reported on the status of the CB decided for the implementation of the IFF Development Officer for the AOFC, as it didn‘t work out exactly as planned with Korea. The AOFC is now looking to find a new country for the project starting from 2019. Mr. Suman asked what the main challenges are in the AOFC. Mr. King felt that there might be more focus on the SEA Games and the AOFC Cup, rather than the World Championships. Mr. Spence reported on the development in Canada and USA, especially as the preparations for the U19 WFC in Canada. (Appendix 21) The Canadian association has not yet been allowed for applying for official funding. The association has for three years run the Canada Cup and there has been a manual wheelchair tournament organised in Canada. In Halifax the sponsorship program for the U19 WFC is in place, with a target with 125.000. Ticket sales starts today for the U19 WFC and he started the school program to get as much kids as possible. The LOC is starting to get volunteers in place. In the USA, there has been a big strategic session with all concerned party in July, to see how they can grow Floorball in the USA. They are deeply disappointed that they are not going to the WFC 2018, which makes it difficult to promote the sport in Northern America without the participation of the USA team in the WFC. Mr. Suman asked which part of USA is most active, Mr. Spence expressed that there is development all over the country. CB decided: To approve the reports c) Contacts to International Sports Organisations Mr. Liljelund inform that IFF has provided the proposed daily schedule for Floorball, consisting of one jet-lag day, one official practise day and five competition days. We are proposing to play 3x15 minutes matches with effective playing time with eight teams. The teams have 14 players and 1 official. IFF has started the discussion to have the same system as last time with a maximum of three extra officials. The first preparatory meeting of the Birmingham World Games will be held in beginning of October and Mr. Liljelund will participate. The ARISF Council has not met after the SportAccord in Bangkok and no new information has been circulated from ARISF. The preparations of the IMGA European Master Games in Torino, Italy next year are still ongoing, and the Italian association has started cooperating with the LOC. The LOC is looking to have three playing fields and at least some 30-40 teams. More information will be available after summer. So far, no new information has been received. More information will be brought to the General Assembly. Mr. Eriksson reported that no news concerning Floorball‘s status in the Urban Games is still open and no information or additional questions have been raised by GAISF. Mr. Liljelund informed that IFF has received the yearly support for 2018 from the IOC, which use shall be reported by the mid of December. (Appendix 11) It can be reported that the IOC has informed that Ms. Jenny Mann, Head of Sport & Partnership has left the IOC and the Sport Department is looking on how to re-structure their organisation in regards, to the recognised IF‘s, as Ms. Mann was responsible for them. Mr. Eriksson reported that IOC has informed on the process and timeline for the OCOG CB decided on additional events in new sports. The new events shall be among the number of 310 stipulated by IOC and the athletes shall be included in the approximately 10.500. The OCOG shall make a proposal to the IOC by Q2/2019 and the additional events are decided by the IOC session in 2019. (Appendix 12a and 12b) It seems that it will be very hard to convince the OCOG to include Floorball in countries where we are not very big. Mr. Suman felt that we need to invite the Paris 2024 OCOG to some of the coming WFC 2019. ARISF needs to look for the opportunity to push towards the IOC on how to have sports on the program, IFF can play a part here. Mr. Liljelund felt that IFF should start talking about this with the ARISF IF‘s. Mr. Liljelund informed that the FISU World University Championships 2018 held in Lodz, Poland was excellently organised in a brand-new hall, but with quite a small number of spectators. The tournament was played with 7 men‘s teams and 6 women‘s teams. Finland won in the ladies beating Czech Republic in the final but the Czech taking victory in the men‘s final over Switzerland. The FISU delegates and the LOC from the WUC 2020 in Slovenia were very positive to Floorball. Mr. Eriksson reported on the present situation concerning the SEA Games 2019, to be organised in Manilla, the Philippines in 2019. In discussions with the president of PFF Mr. Ralph Ramos, it has become clear that it is not yet clear whether we are in or not as the Philippine LOC together with the rest of the SEAGF council will make final decision in November 2018. There might be some updates during the Asian Games, when the SEAGF council will meet. Although the Philippine LOC has received the endorsement from Singapore as lead proponent of floorball in our inclusion, with the support from other countries placing floorball as their top 5 to 10 sport to include there is only a little chance to be included. Other sports vying for inclusion are Ice hockey, E-sports, Field hockey, Pencak Silat, Rugby sevens, Surfing, Netball and Sambo. These are sports that either the Philippines has a high chance to win the gold medal or that more countries have placed the sport as their top choice (e.g., field hockey for Thailand and Malaysia). Mr. Eriksson can further inform that the AOFC President Mr. Chaiyapak Siriwat has reported that the discussions are ongoing. Mr. Eriksson reported that the Indonesian association has been prohibited to promote Floorball during the Asian Games in Jakarta, in Indonesia. The IFA had worked hard to have the possibility to showcase the sport, but it had been blocked. Mr. Eriksson further informed that the process for settling the organiser of the 2021 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games is still ongoing, and Thailand has not yet applied for them, but it is likely to do so. CB decided: To approve the reports d) RACC Mr. Klabere informed that a total of 31 ordinary and 3 provisional members answered the Future of Floorball questionnaire. The RACC proposes based on this to make a following proposal GA, which will have to be written into a separate concept paper: Mr. King asked if the intermission time of 10 minutes has taken into account the TV and venue needs. Mr. Suman and Mr. Liljelund answered that the rule is specified and there can be an exception for the major events. Ms. Birdal felt that this is a right step to modernize the sport. Mr. Spence felt it is the right direction to bring more teams to the WFC. Mr. Nurminen informed that the Finnish federation is not in favor of the change of the change of the playing time for the WFC, as it will greatly change the basis for the sport on the national level. Mr. King asked the reason for the Finns to be negative to the change, Mr. Nurminen explains that the quick game is too short as 3x15 min. Mr. Halonen asked if the Finnish approach was from the marketing or competition view, which Mr. Nurminen answered that it is both. Mr. Liljelund stressed that even FIFA is looking to move to 2 x 30 minutes effective time. The RACC further proposed, based on the questionnaire for to the CB to make the following decision. Regarding updating of competition regulations, the RACC proposes a change in the handling of team lists where teams would submit one team list 30 days prior to the event (instead of a first list and a final list). The list would have a final team list of 20 players + 7 or 10 officials (depending on the event) and then 10 emergency players. The players on the emergency list would be handled just like the first list players are now – these are the only players that the team can substitute into the final list in the case of injury. Mr. Suman asked for the reason for the change, to which Mr. Klabere answered that it makes it easier for the participating countries and pushing down the administration for the participants. Mr. Suman feels that there is a major issue for the PR and Media view. Mr. Klabere concluded that he will take back the proposal for further discussions in the RACC, to clarify the situation. A clarification to be added to the competition regulations national team regarding the U19 WFC was discussed and the RACC proposes the following text to be added: Further the RACC discussed a way both to increase the possibility to reach top 8 in the U19 WFC but also to stay in the top 8. The CB decided could be a first step to move to a system more like the adult‘s system since the CB decided means leaving the system with and A- and a B-division. This version where the 4th placed teams from group A and B play qualifying matches versus the 1st placed teams in group C and D to be in top 8 still means that the U19 WFC final round is played in 5 days and that only top 8 can win the title (Appendix 15). Mr. King asked how the order is defined and Mr. Klabere answered that it is fixed in the system. This opens up that there need to have a ballot for the setting the groups. Further Mr. Klabere reported that the system for Video check in the future is now set for a good proposal, which will be used in the WFC 2018. The RACC will bring a proposal for the video check to the next CB meeting in October. On behalf of Mr. Kratz, Mr. Halonen reported that the office has approved an exemption for 2018/2019 regarding extra time and penalty shots for Sweden (Appendix 16). Mr. Liljelund informed that the four EFT countries have since The World Games in Wroclaw prepared a joint proposal, as a motion for the IFF General Assembly, for an Euro Championships (Appendix 23) under the aegis of IFF, as there is one already played in Asia-Oceania, the AOFC Cup. Mr. Liljelund proposes that the Euro Championships motion is put forward to the RACC for further preparation until the next CB meeting in October and come with a recommendation related to this for the IFF General Assembly, as it effects the present qualification system. Mr. Ovedal proposed to speak with the six nations, during the tournament and seminar in Slovakia in October. CB decided: To approve the reports and the clarification of the age group for the U19 WFC. Further RACC proposes that the U19 WFC from 2020 shall be played according to the RACC proposal, with the groups defined by ballot. Approved the RACC proposal to present a proposal to enlarge the WFC from 2021, new playing time and number of players to the IFF GA. The RACC chair and secretary general is to prepare a final proposal for the GA. To give the RACC the task to study the EFT countries Euro Championships proposal and come with a recommendation on how to proceed. e) RC The Swedish Floorball Federation has informed that they after the summer have made a proposal for a new representative in the IFF RC in their Central Board meeting in August. The nomination is the IFF International Referee Mr. Ola Hamberg, who has a vast experience as a Swedish and international referee. (Appendix 22) The CB is to make a decision of the chair of the RC in its next meeting. CB decided: To approve the report and elect Mr. Ola Hamberg as the replacement for Mr. Johan Råsbrink. f) Medical committee Further the IFF ATC member Ms. Agata Plechan took part in WADA‘s 1st Global Athlete forum in Calgary, Canada. (Appendix 17) The event was very informative and positive. WADA is again seeking nomination for their standing committees, namely the athletes committee, compliance review committee, education committee, finance and administration committee and the health, medical & research committee. All nominations shall be WADA at hand by 5th of October. The IFF Athletes Committee has proposed to nominate Ms. Agata Plechan for the WADA Athletes Committee. The CB is to discuss if other nominations to other committees can be made. Further it was reported that Ms. Bruun has graduate as a Master of Science and her thesis is related to the creation of the IFF Anti-Doping Education Programme. IFF will in its Anti-Doping Education use this plan as the basis for education. (Appendix 20) CB decided: To approve the report and nominate Ms. Agata Plechan for the WADA Athlete Committee g) Athletes Commission The ATC members Ms. Yui Takahasi and Mr. Tero Tiitu has taken part in a Japanese TV show promoting floorball. The ATC will start a forum on the website to invite the National Team Captains to discuss certain topics. The ATC proposes that IFF would educate Ms. Agata Plechan to act as an AD athlete liaison. CB decided: To approve the report h) Marketing Ad Hoc group The first deal made, with the drone company Zero Zero Robotics, which was subject to suitability of the drone for floorball, is most likely not to continue. The drones capabilities have turned out to be very limited. The cooperation agreements with TMG Sports Oy (Finland) and Event 44 (Switzerland) have so far created about 15 sales leads for a Main sponsor, one of the leads has led to further discussions. (Appendix 18) In addition to this, IFF has been contacted by two separate parties to discuss possibilities for a Main sponsorship for the WFC 2018, one a discount store chain through Eurobanner and a second Chinese internet company. Mr Kalsta has been restructuring the sales presentation to make it more compact and fluent, answering the present needs of the market. A separate fact sheet for figures (Social Media, Youtube, TV) is also being prepared. (Appendix 19) As a way of getting more involvement of the present IFF sponsors, Mr. Kalsta has planned to create a reference material (video) from existing sponsors and the preparations are undergoing and the footage for the video will be made during the WFC 2018 in Prague. IFF is also planning, with the assistance of the countries in the Core Country Marketing Network Group execute the Value-Based survey for Floorball. The project will kick-off in September with the aim to have the final report in January 2019. The next CCMNG will be held in Arlanda, Sweden on the 18th of October. The invitation will go out next week. Mr. Beer feels that a lot has been done and we are now actively selling the sport, trying to find leads to find sponsors. Mr. Klabere felt that this is the most positive marketing related report concerning marketing for three years. CB decided: To approve the reports i) Development & Equality Ad Hoc group The plan is to run a coaching and refereeing clinic in Cote d‘Ivoire in mid-September in conjunction with the Africa Cup, which will be played with 5 teams Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Cote d‘Ivoire and Nigeria. As Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo are not IFF members yet, the IFF CB gives a exemption for the countries to participate in the development tournament and urge them to apply for membership in the next 12 months. The IFF is also running a coaching and refereeing level 1+ seminar in India in the beginning of October. A good governance seminar is planned to take place in the end of October in Slovakia and a referee clinic in Ireland in November with the co-operation of Special Olympics Ireland. j) International Lobbying Ad Hoc group CB decided: To approve the report § 8. IFF Office IFF had offered Ms. Minna Nurminen a continuation of her position, but as Ms. Nurminen was accepted into further education in the very end of June, she no longer had the possibility to work for IFF and her employment ended on the 17th of August. With Ms. Bruun only working 80 per cent, we needed to find another solution. IFF has employed Ms. Mari Myllärinen, a sports administration graduate from a university in Germany, to start as the new Information Coordinator from the 3rd of September. Based on internal discussions we will end the agreement with Ms. Anna Jacobson either by the end of August or September. Mr. Liljelund is further to inform that the new title of Ms. Merita Bruun is Communications and Anti-Doping Manager and Mr. Veli Halonen is Operations Manager. Ms. Gitta Olsson has changed her surname to Schmidt Mr. Halonen informed that the development of the new website is progressing, even though it has been delayed from the original plan, as there has been a number of challenges related to the inclusion of the statistics system. The first education has been held in the office in the end of August. In order not to put the present event organisers in unnecessary problems it has been advised to the WFC 2018 LOC that we should use the current website for 2018, as we cannot guarantee the smooth integration of the statistics system on the new website, as we will not have been able to test it thoroughly enough. The present plan is to launch the new IFF website sometime prior to the event and then link it to the current site. Due to this we will now stop working on the WFC 2018 microsite and switch the work on this to be for the WFC 2019, then allowing this to be launched as soon as possible after the WFC 2018 event ends. The Champions Cup 2019 will be hosted in the current format, A change to the new website for this will not happen until after the 2019 event is over. Mr. Suman asked if there is anything that can be done with the new IFF web-site, in order to have a fresh look and feel. It would be a set back for the LOC, if the WFC would be obsolete. The new statistics system is also being developed at the same time, but this has been delayed significantly, as there is some challenge to actually build a system which is resemblent to what we have had so far. CB decided: To approve the report a) Development operations CB decided: To approve the report b) Information operations IFF assisted a Japanese Talent Show to organise a photo shoot in Germany, with a floorball player making Zorro tricks for the itteq-show, the TV show has been broadcasted on 14th July with a very good market share, which was close to 20% viewers, that means more or less 20 million person! The show has around 15-20 million viewers each Sunday night. After a lot of searching Mr. Philipp Hamann was able to arrange his schedule to comply with the TV. IFF has also put the tv program in connection with the Japanese Floorball Federation. CB decided: To approve the report c) Material operations Mr. Liljelund reported that Exel Sports Group, which is the producer of Exel Floorball sticks has been granted reconstruction of its debts, by the Finnish court. Exel has quite some outstanding fees to IFF up to date and some also to the IFF Test-institute RISE. Discussions with Exel are ongoing, as they have reorganised their operations. CB decided: To approve the report and approve the changes of the Material Regulation 2018 CB decided: To approve the reports e) Equality operations CB decided: To approve the report § 9. Member Federations CB decided: To approve the report b) Members under suspension CB decided: To approve the report. c) New Member Applications CB decided: To approve the report § 10. Next CB meeting CB decided: To approve the report and decide the time and place for the next CB meeting § 11. Closing of the meeting
John Liljelund Tomas Eriksson
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