The SGG Project—Solidarity through Great Governance, co-funded by the European Union —held its final meeting at the EuroHockey Headquarters this week, bringing together a range of stakeholders who have benefitted from the programme.
The session featured distinguished guests including the Head of Erasmus+ Sport Gaele Broze, EuroHockey President Marcos Hoffman and keynote speakers like Phil Taylor from Blueprint Sport and Melissa Wright and Jens Aage Skare Nielsen from World Rugby, alongside representatives from national associations and international federations.
Since its inception, the SGG Project has successfully:
– Developed robust governance structures across participating nations.
– Strengthened alignment between national associations, ministries, governments, and Olympic committees.
– Enabled long-term strategic planning and operational efficiencies, ensuring a shared vision and values across all pilot countries.
– This collaborative approach has laid the foundation for sustainable growth and improved governance in sport.
It has benefitted national federations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Portugal, Türkiye and Ukraine who all produced used the expertise on offer to produce bespoke strategic plans.
The day opened with a welcome from EuroHockey leadership, reflecting on the purpose and impact of the project.
This was followed by a keynote address from Phil Taylor, CEO of Blueprint Sport, who explored the importance of creating alignment and embedding strategic planning within sports organisations.
Participants then heard progress reports from the pilot nations, showcasing ambitious long-term strategies—from Bulgaria’s “Taking Our Place” vision to Croatia’s efforts to connect communities, and Finland’s inclusive approach to making hockey a game for everyone.
Later, Portugal, Türkiye, and Ukraine shared their own blueprints for growth, emphasising family engagement, regional pride, and unlocking potential.
The afternoon featured a dynamic knowledge-sharing session with World Rugby and Rugby Europe, offering insights into governance practices across sports. This led into a forward-looking discussion on organisational health and international relations, led by Tom Pedersen-Smith, focusing on how to secure the SGG legacy for years to come.
The meeting concluded with closing remarks from EuroHockey board member Cathelijne Rockall, followed by networking opportunities and an evening dinner—celebrating collaboration and the shared commitment to better governance in sport.
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of the pilot phase, we are thrilled to announce that the SGG initiative will continue into 2026 and beyond under the Organisational Health banner, reinforcing our commitment to solidarity, transparency, and excellence in governance.
