New agreement includes award to highlight outstanding commercial and social leadership
Zug, Switzerland – Infront, a Wanda Sports Group company, and the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs (E.H.C.) have agreed a multi-year partnership which will see the two organisations join forces for a number of initiatives concerning club ice hockey in Europe.
As part of this agreement the Infront Leadership Award has been launched to recognise distinguished leaders for outstanding commercial and social accomplishments and contributions to their European ice hockey club.
The first Infront Leadership Award will be selected by a panel made up of Infront Senior Vice President of ProSports Bruno Marty, Hockey Europe President Jörgen Lindgren, Champions Hockey League (CHL) CEO Martin Baumann and E.H.C. Managing Director Szymon Szemberg. The winner will be announced at the annual European Hockey Awards in Prague on 9 June 2020.
Bruno Marty, Infront Senior Vice President of ProSports said: "Infront has established a strong connection to European club ice hockey in the last decade in its role as the exclusive commercial partner of the Champions Hockey League. During this time we have been fortunate to witness some of the game's best individuals substantially improve the commercial side of the sport at their respective clubs. Whilst it is often players and coaches who receive the plaudits, we feel it is also important to highlight the work of the leaders behind the scenes and amplify their efforts to the wider ice hockey community."
Szymon Szemberg, E.H.C. Managing Director said: "We have for some time felt that outstanding leadership in European club hockey deserves to be acknowledged. Our partnership with Infront will enable such official recognition. Infront has had a strong position in international ice hockey for four decades and having them as a partner will offer substantial benefits for the Alliance. Their knowledge of the inner workings of the sport will provide key insights for us and create a number of synergies, including the creation of this new award. We're excited to begin our work with them, and to explore future opportunities."
The application period for the Infront Leadership Award opened on 19 February. Applications can be submitted by candidates themselves or by third parties (club owners or other club representatives, peers, etc.) which can properly assess the candidate’s achievements for his or her club.
The application form is accessible on the E.H.C. website and should be completed in full before 1 April.
About the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs
The E.H.C. Alliance was formally founded on 13 June 2016 in Berlin, by some 70 clubs from 13 European countries. Ice hockey thus became the third major European team sport, after football and handball to found a club alliance with the mandate to look after and promote the interests of the professional hockey clubs and represent them internationally. The E.H.C., with its office in Gothenburg, Sweden, currently has some 85 member clubs from 17 European countries and 13 leagues. @EHCAlliance www.eurohockeyclubs.com
