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IFF Central Board meeting 2/2008 26th of April 2008Place: City Hotel, Bratislava, Slovakia Participants: Minutes§ 1. Opening of the meeting Mr. Eriksson greeted all CB members welcome to the first CB meeting been held in Slovakia and opened the meeting at 10.00. Mr. Eriksson felt that it is good that the CB is held in conjunction with the WFC 2008 C-division. § 2. Approval of the agenda The agenda was scrutinized and completed. § 3 Minutes from the CB meeting 01/2008 in Vantaa, Finland (12.01.2008) (Appendix 1) The minutes from the last meetings held in Vantaa, Finland were scrutinized, approved and put ad acta. § 4. Economy a) Financial report by the 31.12.2007 (Appendix 2) Mr. Jonsson gave a report on the final financial report, statement of income and balance statement for year 2007, per 31.12.2007. The financial year shows a surplus of 24.642,17 CHF and is well in line with the original budget, approved by the CB. The CB decided: To approve the financial report for the calendar year of 2007. b) Preliminary financial report 31.03.2008 (Appendix 3) Mr. Jonsson presented the preliminary financial report, per 31.03.2008, which shows that the finance is well in line with the budget and the only problem at this stage is the income on sponsors & advertisement. Mr. Eriksson stated that he is very pleased that the figures are very well updated by the IFF administration. Mr. Jonsson informed that the situation has developed to the positive on the balance side, with a same liquidity situation as last year. Mr. Eriksson informed that we are looking for options to secure a higher interest rate for our own equity. The task is for the treasurer and the secretary general to organise this. The CB decided: To approve the report and gave the task to the treasurer and the secretary general to look at the investment of our reserves. c) Information on IFF claims – status March 31st, 2008 (Appendix 4) Mr. Kratz presented the IFF claims per 17.04.2008. Mr. Eriksson proposed that the CB shall remove the debt of Brazil, New Zealand, Pakistan for the membership fees for the year 2005 and 2006, due to the fact that the federations have been under reorganisation. Mr. Orlando and Mr. Jansson proposed that the IFF shall send a letter of reminder to India, Malaysia and Ukraine and explain the effect of not paying the outstanding Membership fees. The CB decided: To approve the report and remove the debts for Brazil, New Zealand and Pakistan from 2005 and 2006. a) WFC 2008 Czech Republic Mr. Suman gave a report concerning the preparation of the 7th Men‘s WFC 2008 to be held in Ostrava and Prague, in the Czech Republic. The ticket sales have started in beginning of March and the marketing sales have been positive. There has already been booked over 3.000 tickets by the travel companies from all over the world. The aim is to reach 15.107 spectators, but the budget is built on 8.000 sold tickets. The co-operation is very good with the city of Prague and especially with the city of Ostrava. There are over 250 volunteers from 8 countries. The official hotel for IFF will be the Hotel Atom in Ostrava and the new Clarion Hotel in Prague, near to the O2-arena. Mr. Suman wanted to point out that the flights away from Prague are getting fully-booked and the organiser needs to make preliminary reservations. Mr. Orlando proposed that the Calendar group will make a follow-up and evaluate the effects of the Calendar change. The CB decided: To approve the report. Mr. Liljelund reported, about the ongoing TV negotiations with the Czech TV and the plans to sell and distribute the international signal to IFF member countries. The co-operation with the Czech TV has been very slow and it has been hard to get any information from them. We are waiting for the production price for highlights and satellite up-link and satellite. An offer has been sent to all the participating countries of the A-division. So far the following TV companies have informed that they will broadcast matches from the WFC: Denmark: DaFU has shown interest in Danish matches, discussions ongoing Mr. Eriksson felt that the there has been a lot of good work done and the situation looks The CB decided: To approve the report. Mr. Suman reported about the ongoing WFC C-division, being played in Bratislava, in the Slovak Republic 21.-27. of April 2008 which has proved that the moving to the new WFC-system (Qualifying) has been correct. The level of play has been very high. The arena is a bit too small, with only spectator capacity of 700. The organisation made by the Slovak association has been good, with some small problems, which are usual for first time event organisers. Mr. Eriksson reported on the decision, the IFF ExCo has taken in connection to the withdrawal of Argentina from the WFC C-division, where the Argentinean Association was sanctioned with a fine of 5000 CHF, consisting of a fine of 3.000 CHF and the participation fee of 2000 CHF. (Appendix 5a and Appendix 5b) Mr. Orlando expressed that the reasons were related to difficulties which occurred in Argentina, due to problems with field hockey players that were not freed for participation in the WFC. The CB decided: To approve the report and confirm the decision made by the ExCo. b) WFC 2009 Sweden Mr. Liljelund gave a report on the negotiations made with the organiser of the 7th Women‘s WFC 2009, to be played in Västerås from the 5th to the 12th of December, 2009. The agreement was visible at the meeting. The CB decided: To approve the report Mr. Kratz gave a report concerning the needed qualifications for this WFC, since there are 24 registered participants. The Slovenian Floorball Association has applied to organise the qualifications, for 7 teams, from the 04.-08.02.2009 in Slovenia. The qualifying teams are: Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Austria, Estonia, Slovenia and Ukraine, playing for three places. The CB decided: To approve the report and appoint the Slovenian Association as organiser for the WFCQ 2009 and to start the negotiations for an agreement with them. c) WFC U19 Women 2008 Mr. Kratz reported on the preparations for the U19 WFC to be played in Wolsztyn, Babimost and Zbastyn, from the 7th to the 11th of May, 2008. The following teams have registered: Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Norway, Latvia, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Georgia and Ukraine. The visa issue has been dealt with simultaneously with the C-division in Slovakia. The CB decided: To approve the reports d) U19 WFC 2009 Finland Mr. Kratz reported on the needed qualifications for the U19 WFC played in Finland, in May The CB decided: To approve the report and appoint the Hungarian Federation as organiser for the U19 WFC 2009 Qualifications and to start the negotiations for an agreement with them. Further the CB decided to give Canada the right to participate if they decide to register for the event. e) Licence system for the participation in IFF Events Mr. Orlando presented the proposal, made by the working group headed by Mr. Orlando and consisting of Mr Jansson, Mr. Kauppinen and Mr. Liljelund, concerning a new Licence system for National Associations participating in IFF Events. (Appendix 6) The working group proposed to adopt a Licence system for the participants of Major IFF Events, in order to direct the members to develop their own organisations, rather than only participate in International Events. The most important reason is that IFF is responsible to secure the level and the quality of the sport. It is equally important for IFF to force its member associations to focus on the development of the different functions within the National Associations, i.e building up an own championship, recruiting and educating referees and coaches and to help the clubs to grow, instead of only focusing on the national teams and participation in IFF Events. If agreed upon, the implementation of this licence system would be for the Men‘s World Floorball Championships 2012. Mr. Eriksson feels that the process has been really good, since it was put forward by the CB. The CB decided: To approve the proposed Licence system and put it forward for the General Assembly to decide upon § 6. EuroFloorball Cup a) EFC 2007 - 2008 Mr. Suman gave the Jury report on the EFC final round played in Vantaa, Finland in January 2008, made by Mr. Martin Wolmhed, who acted Jury chairman. (Appendix 7) The event was professionally organised, with a very good main arena. The second arena was quite small and there are questions raised if this is suitable for the future. The tournament made a step forward in the sports level, due to the new qualification system. Mr. Eriksson stressed that the Vantaa Energia Arena is perhaps one of the best arenas for Floorball and sets a good example for other Floorball Countries. Mr. Kauppinen expressed that the Finnish Floorball Federation has participated in the planning of the arena. b) EFC 2008 Mr. Liljelund informed about the ongoing negotiations for the EFC final round 2008, to be played in Winterthur, Switzerland from the 8th to the 12th of October. The level of the competition and the involvement of TV have changed the structure of our events. The CB decided: To approve the report c) EuroFloorball Cup Qualifications 2008 Mr. Kratz informed, about the actions taken by the office, in order to find organisers for the EFC qualification tournaments in the end of August 2008. The invitation will be sent out in the end of April, with registration until the end of May. This is the second year where we are following the deviation of the qualification into a West and East group. The idea is to play the Eastern qualifications in Latvia (27.-31.8) and at the moment there is no Western qualification organiser (20.-24.8.) Finland has applied to organise the qualification group for the Top 2nd ranked teams (22.-24.8.). There have been direct talks with Germany, the Netherlands and Norway to find an organiser. Ms. Aagaard expressed that it will be a problem, if there will not be any qualification in the Western region. The Danish federation is looking into the possibilities to organise the qualifications. DaFU needs to get some support. Mr. Jonsson felt that it is IFF‘s obligation to find an organiser. Norway feels that it is not possible to have the qualification a second year in a row. Mr. Jonsson felt that the IFF should financially help with the costs of the organisation. Mr. Jansson felt that we have to increase the participant‘s fee, in order to balance the number of organisers and the participants of the event. Mr. Orlando expressed that it could be possible to split the tournament, between the Men and the Women by regional qualifications, moving from two tournaments to four tournaments. Mr. Suman informed that the deviation between East and West is equal, since the registration has given the equal number of participants. We need to know the organisers, when the teams are registering, since that will effect the registration. It is good to put responsibility on the member associations. Mr. Eriksson stressed that it is costly to organise the EFCQ and that we have to follow what has been implemented. We need to look what we do for next year. Mr. Jansson felt that we need to look over the system for the EFCQ system for the future, taking into account the ranking of the teams. Mr. Orlando disagrees to give the teams a possibility to choose where to play qualifications, i.e. only neighbouring countries for financial reasons The CB decided: To approve the report and start the negotiations to finalize the agreements with possible organizers in Latvia and Finland and try to find an organiser for the Western Qualification. If none of the qualified teams or their federation in the western group are willing to organise a qualifying tournament, and to inform IFF office officially at the latest by the 15.05.2008 the EFCQ West is cancelled and the qualification spot goes to EFCQ East. § 7. Committees and Function reports a) ExCo reports Mr. Eriksson reported on the ExCo meeting held on the 4th of March, 2008, in Bern, Switzerland (Appendix 8) The ExCo discussed the documents for the IFF General Assembly and the time table for these. Mr. Eriksson reported on the meeting held with IOC Executive Board member Dennis Oswald, on the 5th of March in Neuchatel, Switzerland, amongst others also concerning the IFF application for IOC Recognition. Mr. Orlando reported on the first meeting of the Strategy working group, held in Zurich on the 8th of April, 2008 (Appendix 9) The working group will bring its final proposal to the CB in October, so that the CB can discuss and decide upon it before proposing it to the IFF General Assembly. The meeting was rather successful and it was agreed in which direction the work will be guided. The written statements will be collected by the group members by the end of June. Then the final proposal will be made and it will be given to external experts prior to the CB. Mr. Orlando stressed that we have come to a point where we are spotted and being analysed by the surrounded world. Mr. Eriksson felt that it is good that more persons are included in the work. It was discussed that the raison d‘être shall be a living document. The CB decided: To approve the reports. b) Contacts to International Sports Organisations Mr. Eriksson wanted to stress that the decision of the IOC recognition will be given on the 10. – 11. of December, by the IOC Executive Board. Mr. Liljelund reported about the discussions held with Mr. Jean-Laurent Bourquin, IOC Sports Department concerning the time table for the IOC decision upon recognition. Mr. Bourquin informed that the IOC EB will make their decision most probably during December 2008, which leaves the IFF with a possibility to supply additional information to the application folder still in September. (Appendix 20) Mr. Orlando stressed that we still need to be in contact with the IOC members. Mr. Liljelund reported on the GAISF planned project to launch an internet based Media Platform for the GAIFS members, where they could stream their events and which would act as a site giving visibility for the sport. The CB decided: To approve the reports and took cognisance of the Executive Board of the IOC which is to decide upon our application on the 11. – 12. December, 2008 and that IFF can complete our application until September. c) RACC Mr. Suman gave a short report from the RACC Workshop held in Prague, Czech Republic on the 04.-06.04 and the issues discussed there. (Appendix 10) The RACC evaluated the previous events, with a rising level of organisation. There is a problem with the number of persons on the Jury panel, which increases the pressure on the existing members. The CB decided: To give the RACC the task to nominate persons for Jury work for the EFC Qualifications until the General Assembly. Mr. Suman reported, on behalf of Mr. Wolmhed about the rules group meeting held on the 14. -16.03. in Upplands Väsby, Sweden. Based on the meeting the Rules Group proposes to organise only one rule test for the next season – the ongoing Finnish test with 10 minutes personal penalty – if the evaluation of the Finnish Floorball Federation is such that they want to continue the test. (Appendix 11) The CB decided: To approve the report. Mr. Suman presented the RACC proposal on changes of the Friendly International matches regulations, in which the RACC proposes to allow players to “test play” in another club than the one who owns the players contract during the pre-season. The RACC proposes to create a system where the player can, after filling in a form, where the player and his owning club agrees to the test play in another club and informs the tournament organiser, that he/she will play for an other club in another country during a specific tournament the time window of 1.7 – 31.08. (Appendix 13a) Mr. Suman stressed that there are some questions related to the proposal which are still open, if the IFF Office should be included in the process or if a fee should be included. Mr. Orlando stressed that the IFF has to be included, since we have taken the decision to hinder it before. The player can only make one test per season. The player has to be under contractual basis. Further it should not be asked to be informed to the organiser, since the responsibility is on the player, his club and the federations concerns. Mr. Liljelund proposes additionally that this change shall be made as an addition to the existing Transfer regulation. Additionally there needs to be a fee of 50 CHF for each test. Mr. Jansson feels that this will open a market for the best players to play international tournaments, under the test period. The CB decided: To create a system where the player, who is under contractual basis can, after filling a form, where the player and the club to which the player belongs to agrees to a test play in another club and the national association in question, informing the IFF, that the player will play for an other club than the one he/she is licensed for during a specific tournament, inside the window of 1.7. – 31.8., excluding players after they have participated in the EFC Qualifications. The player can make a maximum of two tests per year. There is an administrational fee related to the “Test-play” of 50 CHF. This will be included in the Friendly International Regulations and the Transfer regulation. The IFF Office will produce a Test play form. Mr. Suman presented the RACC proposal on the changes of the Friendly International matches regulations and the Competition regulations for National Teams, in which the RACC proposes to change the time for freeing a player for the use of their respective National Teams. (Appendix 13b) The RACC proposes to free the players already on Wednesday at noon, instead of Thursday at noon like it is now, prior to the International week-ends and to create a slot allowing the national associations to have one National Team training camp during weekends in the period 01.09 – 15.02, to which the players must be freed according to the new proposals. The National Associations need to inform IFF about this slot no later than the 30th of June each year. Mr. Orlando felt quite strongly that the clubs will not agree to these proposals, since they will loose too many players in these matches. The Clubs must however understand that Floorball is very popular due to the National Team matches. Mr. Suman informed that there have been a number of discussions with National Associations and they feel that it is important to have a rule like this. Mr. Suman rephrases the RACC proposal so that this would only be valid the last week-end before the WFC and the WFC Qualifications. The CB decided: That clubs shall free the players on Wednesday at noon, prior to the International week-ends, with the exception of the week-end in November when the players are to be freed at Monday at noon and to create a slot on the last week-end before the WFC/WFC Qualification allowing the national associations to have one National Team training camp, to which the players must be freed according to the new proposals. d) RC Mr. Jansson reported on the work done by the RC and the RC proposal of organising an education seminar for the WFC Referees, during the WFC 2008 (Appendix 15) The RC proposes to organise a training event for the WFC referees on the 4th and 5th of December in the Czech Republic, in order to develop the top international referees and give them guidelines for the Event, during an tutorial day. Mr. Jansson proposed to increase the RC budget allowing them to have an additional day, but they should not be paid the daily allowance, since they are being educated. e) Development function Mr. Orlando reported on the Floorball Development Seminars held in Zelezniki, Slovenia 28.02 – 02.03, with participants from seven countries. (Appendix 16) The seminars have produced new volunteers for the IFF Events, with the Dutch referees participating in the C-division. There is an ongoing discussion in order to look over the content of the program based on the received feedback. Mr. Eriksson agreed that there is a very broad satisfaction towards the seminars. Mr. Orlando reported on the Floorball Clinic held in Buenos Aires, Argentina 15.-16.04. The seminar was adapted to the situation. Next to Asia, we have to focus with the Americas. There was a total of 58 participants, mostly teachers of physical educators. There were two participants from Paraguay and one from Uruguay. Mr Orlando further informed that Floorball will be included in the Evita games. Mr. Eriksson felt that this will be re-vitalising for Brazil Mr. Liljelund informed about that the second part of the Coaching Manuals which has been released and that the Learn – Start – Play material is soon to be finished. The CB decided: To approve the reports. f) Marketing function Mr. Jansson informed about the discussions held with Infront, in March. Infront came to the meeting with a new attitude, due to the Women‘s WFC 2009 which is to be played in Sweden in December. The fields of activity have been divided between the organiser and IFF/Infront, in order to develop sales for the IFF. The organiser in Finland is also negotiating with Infront for the WFC 2010. Mr. Kauppinen is worried what the real interest for Infront is to sell Floorball or if they have a hidden agenda. Mr. Jansson explained that this is not the case, but Infront had made a mistake when they evaluated the possibilities to sell Floorball. The CB decided: To approve the reports. g) Medical committee Ms. Bruun to report on the WADA Symposium, held in Lausanne on the 01.-02.04 and the major changes in the new Anti Doping Code that needs to be adopted by the 1.1.2009. During the Symposium Ms. Bruun and Mr. Liljelund meet with Mr. Jean-Pierre Moser, who stressed the need for IFF to be Code compliant in the future. This means that we need to start conducting out of competition testing. (Appendix 17) The Office and the Medical Committee will make a proposal for the new Anti Doping Regulation. The CB decided: To approve the report and decided to start the out of competition testing in the Autumn. h) Material function Mr. Liljelund made a short report about the ispo 08 winter Floorball Village and the received feedback from there, given by the manufacturers. The Floorball Village is a continuation of the process started with the village organised during the summer ispo 2007. The project was conducted by the Development Board and a number of Floorball material manufacturers, in order to grow the market of Floorball in Central-Europe. (Appendix 18 & Appendix 19) Mr. Liljelund further reported on the minor changes made in the Material Regulation based on the feedback from the manufacturers. The material regulation is to be in force from July 1st 2008 and will be changed the next time in 2010. (Appendix 14) The CB decided: To approve the reports and approved the changes of the Material regulations. i) Athletes Commission Mr. Kauppinen reported on the proposals for Game Rule changes made by the members of the Athletes Commission. The proposals have been considered by the rules group. The next phase will be to involve the members of the Athletes Commission in connection to the new IFF Anti-Doping Regulation, to bring in the players view in the preparation of the new regulations. The CB decided: To approve the report § 8. IFF Office Mr. Liljelund further informed that the process of employing the new IFF Competition Assistant has been started and there are at the moment 10 applications from 6 countries, with the last day for applying on the 18th of April. The aim is to have a person employed starting the 1st of July, in order to be ready for the qualifications in the later part of 2008. The Office workload has been looked over, in order to fit the organisation with 5 employees. (Appendix 12) The CB decided: To approve the reports. § 9. Member Federations a) Members under suspension Nothing to report. b) New Member Applications The discussions with Turkey, Bosnia-Hertsegovina, Croatia and Sierra Leone continue, in order to close the membership applications. § 10. Next CB meeting The following CB meeting will be held in the Czech Republic on the 1st of November 2008. The CB decided: The next two coming CB meetings in Budapest, Hungary 13th of September and Prague, Czech Republic 1st of November. § 11. Closing of the meeting Mr. Eriksson thanked all members of the CB and closed the meeting at 14.20 John Liljelund Tomas Eriksson
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