Over the weekend, several Obstacle Course Racing Associations from around Europe came together to meet in Sardinia to form the European Obstacle Sports Federation. This is the beginning of establishing a European sports governing body for OCR and related sports. During the meeting, a constitution was drafted and signed by eight associations. This marks the first official federation for Europe bringing together many of the national associations to form a greater alliance and federation for all of Europe.
On April 8th 2017, twelve board members from seven national Obstacle Course Racing Association (OCRA), with one additional OCRA attending by proxy, met in Olbia Sardinia for the first official obstacle sports summit.
The aim of this summit was to discuss the formal establishment of a European sport governing body for Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) & related sports. Over the course of the summit, numerous topics were discussed with all parties given equal say to ensure no idea was overlooked. At the conclusion of the summit, a formal constitution was drafted & signed by representatives from the National OCRA boards of Danish Obstacle Course Racers Association, OCR France, OCR Association Ireland, Italian OCR Federation, OCRA Benelux (Netherlands), OCR Polska & OCRA Slovakia with OCRA España voting agreement by electronic communication.
The name chosen was the European Obstacle Sports Federation (EOSF). This shall be an independent, not for profit association comprised of independent Obstacle Sport Associations from around Europe. The temporary headquarters shall be in Ireland with an eventual final location in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Executive Board was decided by the founding members, with six board members from six different countries;
Adam Bartosiewicz from OCR Polska (Polish)
Claudi Fogues from OCRA España (Spanish)
Helen Van Der Corput from OCRA Benelux (Netherlands) (Dutch)
Johann Jauneau from OCR France (French)
Mauro Leoni from Federazione Italiana OCR (Italian)
Philip Maher from OCR Association Ireland (Irish)
The objective of the EOSF are, but are not limited to:
To represent, promote and support OCR and Obstacle Sports in Europe;
To set up, enact, administer and enforce rules governing OCR and to ensure that in championships and competitions, that such rules shall be applied;
To facilitate and promote knowledge sharing and exchange of information between the Members;
To aid the interests and wellbeing of the Members;
Upon request and in agreement with its Members, to develop specific services for its Members in unique areas which avoid duplication and overlap;
Arrange the annual election for the hosting of the OCR European Championships;
Promote and support OCR and Obstacle Sports for children and people with a disability;
Aid non-represented countries to establish national associations;
To undertake and/or do all such things or activities as are necessary, incidental or conducive to the advancement of its mission and objectives. Represent, promote & support OCR & Obstacle Sports in Europe.
EOSF will also be working closely with events, the OSF (International sport governing body), national sports councils & Olympic committees to ensure all actions are in keeping with best practice & for the betterment of the sport.
In the coming days, the Executive Board will vote on which positions within the Federation each individual will take & in the coming weeks the first committees will be formally established to aid in the implementation of the objectives outlined above.
A second summit/General Assembly will take place 29th June 2017 in Flevonice, Netherlands during the European Championships. Here EOSF will be able to share the progress to date made by the Executive Board & the committees with all the National Associations in attendance & provide an opportunity for those countries which were unable to attend the first summit in Olbia to join the European Federation.
“We look forward to working with all parties going forward – declare EOSF Executive Board – & will release a follow up statement shortly when the Executive Board positions have been decided. There are exciting times ahead & we invite you all to join us on our journey because alone you can go fast, together we can go far”.
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