MIHWA Winter Conference 2020

MIHWA Winter Conference 2020

We are very pleased to have held one of our first winter conference with the full new MIHWA executive committee.  This December, we gathered on zoom, as is the way these strange days, to discuss the developments, technical points and of course our march towards the comeback World Cup of the century!  It was really great to see eachother again, and talk about inline hockey.  We are very lucky to have such rich experience and understanding of the game on the committee, and we hope this translates into an international competition like we have never seen yet.  The world may still be going crazy, but the stage is being set for a spectacular return to the greatest spectacle of inline anywhere in the world.  The full text of the meeting will be available on MIHWA web, in the manager zone very soon.  For now here is a brief summary of our key points:

• Confirmed and reinforced our unique and autonomous relationship within World Skate, a vital aspect that enables MIHWA to operate with legitimacy and independence.
• Confirming the legal frameworks for insurance and liability, to ensure every player, participant, staff and volunteers are safe and looked after.
• Confirmation of the use of the outstanding facilities and the extra special hospitality of in Bad Tolz, including some reassurance from hotels around availability and cancellation (if, by chance the pandemic did carry on into the summer). The outstanding work of Stefan Zisser is behind much of this, so we have him to thank greatly.
• Development and integration of our fantastic new category “Legends”. We looked carefully at how to plan for this in the tournament, and are seeking confirmation from national federations about sending a Legends team.
• Appraisal of developing a women’s competition, and an agreement to keep this as an option for serious consideration, to debut in 2022.
• Future bids for hosting the MIHWA World Cup, and what facilities and logistics are required as a new standard. Locations in the short list include Ljubljana, Slovenia; Zadar, Croatia, and in the future, Las Vegas, USA!  Of course nothing is confirmed yet.  Do you have any suggestions?  Email MIHWA and make your case, we would love to hear your bid!
• Agreement of the financial status of the organisation. MIHWA is a non-profit, voluntary sports organisation with charitable status (registered in Italy).  The committee are committed to using every penny to deliver the very best experience for the players, and every participant, our volunteer army, and all our fans and families around the globe.  As we grow, our costs are rising, so the use of this website and our livestream to generate sponsorship is critical.  Please support MIHWA by using this site, watching the live broadcasts, and participating in our movement.  If you have any ideas around sponsorship, email wirt@gmail.com and I will follow up immediately.  We are committed to delivering the best experience ever, with this website, live scores, stats and results, news, interviews, online shop, photo and video archive, and of course the best live broadcast of any amateur sport anywhere!
• So long, and Farewell to the father of Masters Inline, Alain Blanchet, who has decided to retire from his position as Vice President on the MIHWA committee as he moves into new adventures. A special tribute to Alain is forthcoming soon, but MIHWA wishes to thank and honour him and his fundamental contribution to the creation and expansion of this movement.  Adieu, notre champion!