The EHF and KNHB announced on 5 June that the 2017 EuroHockey Championships, Women and Men will be held at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, The Netherlands , 19-27 August 2017.
Following an extensive process which began in November 2013 when EHF Member Associations where asked for Expressions of Interest to host the 2017 EuroHockey Championships Women and Men, the EHF has now announced that the KNHB is the successful bidder.
Three countries submitted an Expression of Interest on time – France, Netherlands and Spain. A bid Selection Group of Carola Meyer, Simon Mason and Angus Kirkland was tasked with assessing the bids and making a recommendation to the EHF Office Bearers of the EHF Executive board for their approval. France subsequently withdrew, leaving a bid from RFEH and KNHB.
“It is fantastic that the EHF has honoured all the effort which went into producing the bid book. The KNHB is looking forward to working with the EHF and Amsterdam city council. The European championships will focus not only on top-level hockey but on sharing expertise. We will try to ensure the event becomes an educational experience for umpires, coaches, event managers and others by organising congresses and seminars,” said KNHB director Johan Wakkie.
Erik van der Burg, Amsterdam city council alderman: “We are delighted the EuroHockey Championships for both men and women are coming to Amsterdam in 2017. This brings the total number of major hockey events staged in Amsterdam to 17. Amsterdam has been a hockey city for years - the ‘marriage’ goes back to the 1928 Olympics when hockey was played at the Olympic Stadium. Hockey remains extremely popular to this day. Amsterdam has 10 clubs and membership is growing continually. We are sure these championships will deliver economic and sporting spin offs for the city, as we have experienced in the terrific atmosphere of the World Cup in The Hague. Amsterdam is looking forward to welcoming the international hockey community to our wonderful city.”
For more information on EuroHockey visit eurohockey.org
