The Erasmus+ ICE programme reached an important milestone with a two-day project meeting in March in Utrecht, Netherlands, at the office of the Dutch Hockey Federation (KNHB).

Developing the Next Generation of Technical Directors

The ICE programme is focused on creating a sustainable model to support young and ambitious coaches in their transition toward roles such as Technical Manager or Technical Director.

A central objective is to provide international development opportunities, enabling coaches to spend several months abroad working with clubs or federations.

During these placements, participants will be tasked with designing and implementing technical development plans, supporting clubs in building long-term, sustainable player development structures.

Knowledge Sharing in Utrecht

As part of the Utrecht meeting, participants also took part in a short masterclass on technical management delivered by the KNHB’s Nathan Kipp, providing additional insights into best practices and leadership in technical roles.

Pilot Phase About to Begin

Following the Utrecht meeting, the project now moves into a key pilot phase, which will take place in April. This will be hosted by HC Praga in the Czech Republic and Hockey Club Salzburg in Austria.

Two selected coaches, Alberto Pérez Alonso (Sardinero HC, Spain) and Jose Antonio Hurtado Sierra (Hockey Club San Fernando, Spain), will test the programme by implementing the processes and frameworks developed so far.

In a “pressure cooker” format, they will complete their assignments within a one-month period, creating and applying technical plans in real club environments.

The insights and feedback gathered during this phase will play a crucial role in shaping the final version of the programme.

** Nathan Kipp leading a technical management masterclass

Looking Ahead

The ultimate goal is to establish a long-term European exchange programme. From next year onwards, clubs and federations across Europe will be able to express interest in hosting a coach or technical manager for an extended period, benefiting from external expertise while contributing to the development of future hockey leaders.

A key challenge remains to ensure that the exchange delivers value for both sides:

• Clubs and federations gain structured technical input and long-term planning support.
• Coaches gain valuable international experience, develop new skills, and grow into leadership roles within hockey.

While the programme will include elements of financial support to cover basic living costs, it is primarily aimed at motivated individuals seeking personal and professional growth, as well as a unique cultural experience.

The project team would like to thank the Dutch federation for hosting the meeting. Representatives from Austrian Hockey, Czech Hockey, and Dutch Hockey came together alongside EuroHockey, which leads the project under the coordination of Gino Schilders.

The programme, which began at the start of last year, is set to conclude at the end of 2026.

Project Partners

The Erasmus+ ICE programme is co-funded by the EU and delivered in collaboration with the following project partners: Senna Bombach, Klaus Koenig, Nathan Kipp, Gino Schilders, Jan Brzák, Alberto Pérez Alonso, and Jose Antonio Hurtado Sierra.

More Information

Further details about the Erasmus+ ICE programme will be shared in the coming months.

For inquiries or expressions of interest, please contact: gino@eurohockey.org