IFF CB meeting 09.04.2005

 

Place:                   Hotel Hilton, Prague

Participants:         Tomas Eriksson     President

                             John Liljelund        Vice President                 not in § 8
                             Renato Orlando     Vice President

                             Tomas Jonsson     Treasurer

                             Per Jansson

                             Risto Kauppinen

                             Peter Lindström

                             Martin Vaculik

                             Stefan Kratz          Secretary General            not in § 8

 

Excused:              Thomas Gilardi      RC Chairman

                            

 

 

§   1   Opening of the meeting

Mr. Eriksson greeted all heartily welcome and opened the meeting at 09:00.

 

§   2   Approval of the agenda

The agenda was scrutinized, completed and approved.

 

§   3   Minutes from last meeting

The minutes from the last meeting were scrutinized, approved and put ad acta.

 

§   4   Economy

a)       Preliminary financial report per 09.04.2005 (enclosure 1)

Mr. Jonsson presented the preliminary financial report per 05.04.2005, showing a preliminary surplus of 161962 CHF. The surplus is mainly due to financial periodicity. On the income side the invoiced membership fees (budgeted to 66000 CHF) show a surplus of +9000 CHF, and hence the outcome is 75000 CHF. The income from sponsors shows an outcome of 35000 CHF, where the budget is 178000 CHF. On the cost side the staff costs have an outcome up till now of 20664 CHF, where the budget is 224000 CHF. Since the new IFF office administration will not have an effect on the budget for the entire calendar year of 2005, the total outcome for 2005 points towards a result well within budget, which is balanced result.

 

The CB decided to approve the economical report per April 9, 2005.

 

b)       Information on IFF claims  – status April 9th, 2005 (enclosure 2)

Mr. Jonsson presented the IFF claims per 09.04.2005. The total claims (including invoiced membership fees for 2005 due to be paid on April 30) are 79701 CHF, out of which 31000 CHF are membership fees for 2005.

 

Mr. Kratz reported on the status for the associations having debts from 2003.

 

  1. Hungarian FA, total debts are 5700 CHF, of which 2000 CHF WFC 2005 in Singapore.
  2. Malaysian FA, total debts are 3500 CHF, of which 2000 CHF WFC 2005 in Singapore.
  3. Georgian FA, total debts are 4650 CHF, of which 2000 CHF WFC 2005 in Singapore.

 

These associations have been informed on a number of occasions that the debts must be settled, including the participation fee for WFC 2005 latest April 30, before the WFC in Singapore.

 

The CB discussed thoroughly the necessity to handle all associations in the same way and under the same IFF financial regulations.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The CB decided to handle the eventual case of IFF suspension for Hungary, Malaysia and Georgia at its next meeting in Singapore on June 4, 2005, if these debts from 2003 are not settled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

§   5   World Championships

a)       WFC 2005 - Report
Mr. Orlando, Mr. Liljelund and Mr. Kratz reported on the progress with the organization of WFC 2005 in Singapore.

 
Mr. Orlando and Mr. Kratz are the responsible persons within IFF towards the SFA. Mr. Liljelund is though coordinating the commercial and marketing related issues.

 

1.       Information were given on the final match schedule having been advanced by one hour, meaning that the Final is played on June the 5, at 1700 hours local time.

2.       The third venue has been set to the ITE institute (a new venue which is fully air-conditioned). RACC has to check the situation with locker rooms etc.   

3.       Mr. Orlando is responsible to appoint Mr. Giovanni Marti as coordinating IFF press officer.

4.       Mr. Jansson and Mr. Liljelund are responsible to co-ordinate possible broadcasting from Singapore.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

b)       WFC U19 Men 2005

Mr. Orlando reported on the progress with the organization of the U19 WFC 2005. Mr. Martin Johansson, vice chairman of the RACC, will inspect the premises 22-24.04.2005, at the occasion of the friendly internationals organized in Cesis by the Latvian FA.


Mr. Liljelund reported on the contract negotiations. The contract is not yet signed.

 

Mr. Kratz reported on the 16 registered teams:

A-Division: Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Norway, Latvia, Denmark, and Poland.
B-Division: Russia, Germany Estonia, Netherlands, Hungary, Japan, Slovakia and Singapore.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

c)       WFC 2006

Mr. Jansson reported on the progress with the organization of the WFC 2006 A- and B-division in Sweden. SIBF has appointed Mr. Krister Kalte as Secretary General of the WFC 2006. Mr. Kalte will take up his position to a fulltime job on August 1, 2005.

 

Mr. Orlando and Mr. Kratz reported on the progress with the organization of the WFC 2006 C-division.

 

Mr Orlando reported and concluded that the Spanish FA did an excellent job on the first WFC C division organized in Spain in April 2004.

 

Mr. Kratz reported that the 28 registered teams are:

A-Division: Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Latvia, Russia, Germany, Denmark, and Italy.
B-Division: Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Netherlands, Slovenia, Great Britain, USA, Australia, and Singapore, Japan.
C-Division: Canada, Spain, Slovakia, France, Georgia, Poland, Belgium, and Korea.


Mr. Kratz reported that Malaysia has informed IFF that they will not take part in the WFC 2006, hence being able to stress their internal development in order to get a league running etc.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The CB decided to grant to the WFC 2006 C-division to Spain and that Mr. Liljelund shall negotiate the contract.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

§   5 World Championships - continuation

d)       Upcoming events

Mr. Kratz reported that Switzerland has applied for the Men’s U19 WFC 2007, that Finland has sent a letter of interest to organize the Men’s U19 WFC 2007 and the Men’s WFC 2010 and that Denmark has sent a letter of interest to organize the Women’s WFC 2007.

 

Mr. Eriksson, Mr. Liljelund and Mr. Orlando will meet with the DUB on April 19th, in Berlin during the Sports Accord, to discuss the Women’s U19 WFC 2006.

 

The CB discussed thoroughly the necessity to appoint organizers well in advance in order to protect the IFF organizers, and in order to be able to better meet with the requirements from the marketing point of view, including the organization of a host broadcaster for IFF events.

 

Mr. Kratz informed that IFF has asked all associations and hence given all the same possibilities to send in letters of interest to organize IFF events. The last request was sent to all associations to answer latest October 30, 2004.

 

Mr. Eriksson informed that IFF has set the objective to ask our member associations six years in advance and to appoint organizers for IFF events four years in advance.

 

The CB was very pleased with the fact that more and more member associations have now set their strategy for applying for IFF events.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The CB decided to grant Denmark the WFC 2007, Switzerland the MU19 2007 and the WU19 2008, and Sweden the WFC 2009, and Finland the MU19 2009 and the WFC 2010, and Czech Republic the WU19 2010.

 

§   6   European Cup

a)       EC 2005/2006

Mr. Liljelund reported on the EC 2005/2006 final round contract with the Czech Floorball Union. The contract will be signed shortly.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

b)       Upcoming events

Mr. Kratz reported that Finland has sent a letter of interest to organize the European Cup. The Swedish FA also showed interest.

 

The CB decided to grant Sweden the right to organize the EC 2007, and Finland the right to organize the EC 2008.

 

§   7   Committees – Reports

a)       ExCo- political work

Mr. Eriksson reported that he and Mr. Orlando have had good and constructive meetings in March with Mr. Gian-Franco Kasper of the FIS (in Switzerland in Oberhofen outside of Berne), Mr. Joseph S. Blatter of FIFA in Zürich, and Mr. René Fasel of the IIHF in Zürich, and Mr. Kelly Fairweather of the IOC in Lausanne, the latter being IOC Sports Director. The very interesting conversations, their most valuable advice and their guidelines will be of great benefit to the International Floorball Federation. With Mr. Fairweather the future process of the IOC recognition process was also discussed.

 

Mr. Eriksson also reported that IFF has sent a letter of invitation to the IWGA President Mr. Ron Froehlich in order to set a meeting during the Sport Accord in Berlin on April 16-20, in order to set the timetable for the participation in the World Games (enclosure 3). Mr. Froehlich has replied (enclosure 4), and Mr. Orlando and Mr. Eriksson will meet with Mr. Froehlich in Berlin.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

§   7   Committees – Reports

a)       ExCo- political work - continuation

Mr. Liljelund reported on a meeting with the International School Sports Federation (ISF) held in Prague on the 08.04.2005. Mr Liljelund and Mr Eriksson meet with the ISF President Mr Boujon and the Secretary General Mr Coolen, and the entire ISF Executive Board. IFF and ISF discussed mutual co-operation and a possible School Sports Championships in Floorball.

 

The Czech Floorball Union’s President, Mr Suman, together with the Czech School Sports Association, initiated the meeting. The CB noted with pleasure that Floorball is the number one sport in the Czech schools.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The CB decided to follow-up the discussions with the aim of future School Sports Championships for Floorball to be played, starting in the Czech Republic in April 2007, and appointed Mr Liljelund to handle the contacts with the ISF.

 

b)       RACC

Mr. Orlando reported on the work with the IFF Rules of the Game Edition 2006 and the proposals of changes, completions and clarifications (enclosure 5). The RACC special rules group, headed by Mr Johansson, has meet in Malmö in Sweden, represented by three members, one each from Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. 

 

Mr. Kratz informed that he in his capacity of Secretary General informed all member association on February 17 about the possibility of implementing the rule no pass to the goalkeeper already from July 1, 2005.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

The CB decided that the proposed changes shall be implemented from 01.07.2006 except from the rule concerning No pass to the goalkeeper that shall be implemented already from 01.07.2005.

 

Mr. Orlando presented a proposal concerning tournament regulations (enclosure 6).

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The CB decided that regulations concerning international matches and tournaments shall be worked out, and put the task forward to Mr. Liljelund to propose a solution until the next CB meeting on June 4.

 

c)       RC

Mr. Kratz reported that referees are appointed to the WFC 2005 in Singapore, and communicated to the SFA, and also to the Internationals played in April 2005.


Mr. Orlando reported, on behalf of Mr. Gilardi, that since all members of the RC will be presented in Singapore Mr. Gilardi is planning for a committee meeting to be held there.

 

Mr. Eriksson informed that he has had discussions with Mr. Gilardi and stressed the necessity to meet with the objectives of increased flow of communication between the IFF RC and the top 5-7 member associations´ referee committee chairmen, and to broaden the base of IFF referees from more member associations.

 

The CB took note of a Singaporean referee pair being appointed to the WFC in Singapore, and stressed the importance to increase new pairs from more countries.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

d)       Development

Mr. Orlando reported on the German FA and the status on the German development (enclosure 7). The last part of the support, 12500 CHF, for 2004 has not yet been paid. There is a meeting set in Berlin between the DUB and IFF on April 19, 2005.

 

Mr. Orlando reported on the Development plan, the revision of the timetable and actions to be taken. A meeting within the development function regarding this is scheduled to be held during the WFC 2005.

 

Mr. Liljelund reported on the Development Board and on the progress with SP/ITC and next phase with the manufacturers. Meetings with SP and the Development Board are planned to be held during the spring.

 

The CB decided to approve the reports.

 

 

§   7   Committees – Reports

d)       Development - continuation

Mr. Orlando reported on the preparations for the 2nd Asian summit (minutes from the 1st summit as enclosure 8). The CB noted with pleasure the excellent and extensive minutes and actions taken for the best of development in Asia and Oceania in good co-operation with the associations concerned, and was looking forward to the second Asian Summit and the founding of the Asian and Oceania Confederation in Floorball.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

e)       Marketing

Mr. Jansson reported on the Marketing meeting held in Prague 24.02.2005. Mr. Jansson together with Mr. Kauppinen and Mr. Liljelund have done a good job on the important field of marketing and all parties concerned (the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland) are now focused on the next phase, that is amongst others the stressing of sales.

 

In the new IFF administration the tasks for selling will be laid down between Mr. Jansson and the Secretary General of IFF.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

f)        DC

The CB noted that no information has arrived of a possible DC decision on the Rubene case (concerning the team lists for the European Cup finals in Zürich in January 2005), forwarded to the DC chairman Mr. Olav Hermanson on January 28, 2005.

The CB is not at all pleased with the handling of this case. The CB took note that the IFF GA elects the members of the DC and its chairman, until the next GA held in May 2006 in Sweden.

 

Mr. Eriksson reported that he discussed this matter with the President of the Finnish Floorball Federation (SSBL) Mr. Matti Ahde when they meet in Helsinki on March 18. Mr Ahde is well aware of the situation and promised to deal with the situation soonest possible.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The CB decided that a ruling must be made latest 30.04.2005 by the DC of IFF, if not the CB will take over the case.

 

§  8 IFF Office (during this § Mr. Liljelund and Mr. Kratz did not participate)  

Mr. Eriksson reported that since the GA in Zürich in May 2004 there has been an ongoing process to set up the IFF office in Helsinki. Mr. Eriksson has met with the SSBL President Mr. Ahde on a number of times in Helsinki about the move of the IFF office from Solna to Helsinki.

 

Mr. Eriksson prepared, together with Mr. Orlando, a number of questions that were sent in advance to Mr. Ahde. Amongst others were asked the competences for the office staff, including the Secretary General. The length of the contracts were also discussed and processed.

 

Mr. Eriksson reported that there is a need for two contracts between IFF and SSBL, first a contract for two years at a time concerning the Secretary general of IFF, and secondly a contract for two years at a time concerning the office space and clerk, provided, and paid for, by SSBL. The SSBL has granted an office clerk and office space for the IFF office for six years, as reported and decided upon in the IFF GA in 2004. The minimum value of the offered office clerk is yearly 50 000 Euros.

 

Mr. Eriksson proposed to have the IFF administration consisting of a secretary general with good skills and competence in sales and marketing, and to appoint a head of the technical department handling the IFF events, and appoint an office clerk as secretary general assistant. When the budget so permits, as budgeted probably in 2005 or in 2006, a possible fourth employee may be appointed.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

§  8 IFF Office - continuation

The CB discussed and noted that Floorball in general and the CB in particular is very pleased and thankful towards Mr. Kratz for his contributions to Floorball as Secretary General since the GA in 1996. The CB also stresses the importance to be able to keep Mr. Kratz’s important skills and network within IFF.

 

The CB discussed standing applications within the IFF for the positions in the IFF administration.

 

The CB decided that Mr. Liljelund is considered a standing applicant, through the Finnish FA, for the position as SG.


Mr. Eriksson reported on the contract between IFF and SSBL concerning the Secretary General. It will start from May 1, 2005 and expire on December 31, 2006, with a mutual renewal period of two years.

Mr. Eriksson proposed Mr. Liljelund as new secretary general of IFF stationed in Helsinki at the IFF office, and Mr. Kratz as Head of technical department of IFF stationed in Solna.


The CB decided on a new office organisation that is as Secretary General to appoint Mr. Liljelund, and as Head of technical Department to appoint Mr. Kratz.


The CB furthermore decided that when after appointed new secretary general, and after that date when contracted by SSBL Mr. Liljelund resigns from IFF as vice President.

 

Mr. Eriksson reported that the actual move of the IFF office would be made as soon as feasible, most probably for practical reason starting from June 1, 2005. 


Mr. Eriksson proposed that the office clerk/ SG assistant is to be recruited by the IFF President and SG of IFF, and a second contract to be signed by SSBL and IFF. The CB decided accordingly.

 

Mr. Eriksson and Mr. Liljelund have both been responsible for the recruitment of the IFF clerk, co-ordinated via the SSBL.

 

Mr. Eriksson reported on the contract between IFF and SSBL concerning the office clerk. It will start from April 1, 2005 and expire on December 31, 2006, with a mutual renewal period of two years.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

Mr. Eriksson informed about the new office clerk Ms. Merita Bruun. Ms. Bruun is in office since April 1, 2005.
The CB decided to approve the report.

 

Mr. Eriksson reported that he, together with Mr Liljelund, have divided the tasks between the three employees, see the enclosed workload of IFF employees (enclosure 9). The main lines are that the SG and the clerk focus on marketing and development work, and the head of the technical department handles all IFF events, except the negotiated contracts and the marketing issues related to these events.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

Mr. Eriksson concluded that he, and the CB, now felt satisfaction that the new internal IFF administration is in place. Since IFF is prioritising work in the fields of political, marketing and development respectively, the needs for human resources are high.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

§ 9 Members under suspension

a) Federation of Floorball of Russia (FFR) - confirmation to lift suspension

Mr. Eriksson reported that Russia has paid the entire debt and that he in a letter has re-confirmed the status for floorball in Russia:

“The International Floorball Federation (IFF) hereby confirms the payment of Russian debts, a total of 26 700 CHF.
On behalf of the International Floorball Federation (IFF) we hereby once again re-confirm the status for Floorball in Russia within IFF. Russia is an ordinary member of IFF. Russian Floorball has been represented in the last years by Mr. Barazby Sabanchiev, and Russia is and has been an important member and has taken part in major IFF events, such as the World Floorball Championships. IFF has taken note of your confirmation that on the 10th of December 2004, Union of Floorball of Russia (RFU) and Federation of Floorball of Russia (FFR) have signed the agreement under which FFR is now completely in charge of the development in Russia. Furthermore IFF has also taken note of the confirmation, signed on December 29, 2004, by the Ministry of Sports, the Federal Agency of Physical Culture of Sport, by vice director A.S. Sokolov, confirming the above mentioned agreement under which henceforth FFR is in charge of the Floorball development in Russia. IFF confirms the following: Floorball in Russia is an ordinary member of IFF and henceforth represented by the Federation of Floorball of Russia. IFF respects Mr. Nikolay Markov, President of the FFR, and Mr. Barazby Sabanchiev as the representatives for Floorball in Russia, and handling all international affairs towards and in co-operation with IFF. IFF would like to take the opportunity and thank you Mr. Markov and Mr. Sabanchiev for swift and good actions taken for the best of Floorball development in Russia and also wish for the best in the future of promoting Floorball in Russia, because the entire Floorball family needs a strong and prosperous Russia in Floorball in our Vision to be an Olympic sport”.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The Central board of IFF decided to lift the suspension for Russia as from February 1, 2005, meaning that Russia and FFR is again an ordinary member of IFF with all responsibilities and rights.

 

Mr. Kratz informed that the actual decision was informed to the FFR on January 31, 2005.

 

b) Polish Floorball Association (PFA) - confirmation to lift suspension

Mr. Eriksson reported that Poland has paid the entire debt and that he in a letter has re-confirmed the status for floorball in Poland:

 

“The International Floorball Federation (IFF) hereby confirms the payment of Polish debts, a total of 4 682 CHF.

 

Poland is an ordinary member of IFF. The IFF has taken note of the extraordinary General Assembly held in Poland in December 2004 where an entirely new Central Board was elected, including Mr. Marek Budzinski as new President. The new board is in office starting from January 1, 2005. Furthermore the IFF CB has taken note of the positive signs in Poland, such as Poland having paid during 2004 a substantial amount of the old debts, and that the flow of communication has improved much. IFF would like to take the opportunity and thank you Mr. Budzinski for swift and good actions taken for the best of Floorball development in Poland and also wish for the best in the future of promoting Floorball in Poland”.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

 

The Central board of IFF decided to lift the suspension for Poland as from February 3, 2005, meaning that Polish FA is again an ordinary member of IFF with all responsibilities and rights.

 

Mr. Kratz informed that the actual decision was informed to the PFA on February 3, 2005.

 

§   10           Member Associations

a) Membership applications

Liechtenstein has applied for provisional membership. The CB noted with pleasure the good development over a substantial period of time in Liechtenstein, and the excellent co-operation between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Teams from Liechtenstein are also playing in the Swiss leagues.

The CB decided to grant Liechtenstein provisional membership as member number 35

 

b) Membership application status on Iceland

Mr. Jonsson reported on the progress with Floorball on Iceland.

 

An application is expected during 2005.

 

The CB decided to approve the report.

§ 11   Next CB meeting

The GAISF Sports Accord will be organized in Berlin on April 15-20, 2005 (Mr. Eriksson, Mr. Orlando and Mr. Liljelund will participate).  

 

The WFC takes place in Singapore on May 28 until June 5, 2005 (Mr.Orlando and Mr. Kratz are responsible).

 

The second Asian Summit (founding meeting of the Asian FF) on Thursday June 2, 2005 (Mr. Orlando is responsible, and Mr. Liljelund is administrative responsible).

 

The Presidential Meeting, as well as the Secretary Generals Meeting, both takes place on Friday June 3, 2005 (Mr. Liljelund is responsible for the agenda and administratively).

 

The next CB meeting will be held on Saturday June 4, 2005, in Singapore (Mr. Eriksson and Mr. Liljelund are responsible).

 

The first meeting after summer is scheduled for Malmö in Sweden, upon invitation by the city of Malmö, taking place on August 26-28, 2005 (Mr. Jansson responsible with the contacts to the city of Malmö).

 

§ 12 Closing of the meeting

Mr. Eriksson thanked the CB for an efficient meeting and closed it at 17:15.

 

 

 

 

Stefan Kratz                                                  Tomas Eriksson

Secretary General                                         President