CMAS Underwater Hockey Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 3 | November 2024
As we approach the end of 2024, the CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission reflects on a year filled with growth, achievement, and innovation. The Commission has been steadfast in delivering on its commitments to member Federations, focusing on enhancing communication, streamlining operations, and fostering global participation. Noteworthy milestones include the launch of the CMAS UWH Newsletter and the adoption of visual communication strategies, which have exceeded expectations based on survey feedback. With Federation affiliation increasing by 23%, meeting attendance consistently above 60%, and the successful transfer of leadership in the College of Events, 2024 has set a strong foundation for future development.
Important Issues Voted Upon in 2024
This year marked significant progress in the governance of underwater hockey, with two critical votes shaping the future of the sport. The Colleges of Referees successfully passed a vote to empower the Referee Committee with a new role in referee selection. This innovative approach aims to enhance the calibre of referees at international tournaments by allowing the committee to choose the most affordable and suitable candidates from an approved list. If subsequent stages are approved, this system promises to bring a balanced, merit-based, and cost-effective solution to long-standing concerns about officiating standards.
Additionally, an electronic vote held after thorough discussion at the third National Federations Meeting resulted in updates to the CMAS Tournament Regulations for Underwater Hockey Competitions—previously known as Procedures and Obligations for the Organisation of Underwater Hockey Competitions. These updates are set to streamline and modernise the regulations, ensuring clarity and consistency in hosting international events. Both votes represent a significant step forward in advancing the sport's professional and operational standards.
Intercontinental Events Well Underway
The CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission is delighted to report that preparations for the two of the three Intercontinental Championship events scheduled for 2025 are progressing smoothly. The Local Organising Committees (LOCs) in The Netherlands and Kuala Lumpur are working diligently to ensure these events are well-organised and set to deliver exciting underwater hockey action.
Updates on Regional EventsEurope/Africa Intercontinental
The LOC in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, is on track for the Europe/Africa Intercontinental tournament. Scheduled from 17–23 August 2025, the event promises to bring together top teams from across these regions in a showcase of skill and competitive spirit.
Asia/Oceania Intercontinental
Equally promising is the Asia/Oceania Intercontinental, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2–9 August 2025. A highlight of this event is the inclusion of U19 Men's and Women's teams and an U15 Open division, marking an exciting expansion of participation for younger players and fostering the development of future champions.
Americas Intercontinental
Progress on the Americas Intercontinental has been delayed due to challenges in securing Bogota, Colombia, as the host city. Issues related to government support and player concerns about the high altitude have prompted the Commission to explore alternative venues.
Two lower-altitude cities are currently being evaluated to ensure an optimal environment for athletes while securing local government backing.
IMPORTANT DATES
Key Tournament Dates
To assist teams with their preparations, here are the critical deadlines and milestones:Entries Open: 31 January 2025 | Entries Close: 31 March 2025 | Qualifying Positions Announced: 14 April 2025
Intercontinental Asia Oceania 02 - 09 August 2025 | Intercontinental Europe Africa: 17 - 24 August 2025
Intercontinental Americas: TBC
With these exciting developments, the Commission looks forward to welcoming the global underwater hockey community to these significant qualifiers. Stay tuned for more updates as we draw closer to these much-anticipated events!
CMAS Underwater Hockey Development Strategy Evolves Following Survey Insights
The CMAS Commission recently conducted a general survey to assess the state of underwater hockey across federations. The results highlighted key areas for improvement, prompting a reassessment of the College of Development's growth strategy to better align with the needs of the global underwater hockey community.
A striking insight from the survey revealed that 53% of federations currently have fewer than 200 players each, while 24% of federations reported having between 200 and 600 players. This underscores the need to bolster support for federations with established but modest player bases to ensure their long-term growth and sustainability.In response, the College of Development has launched a targeted program focused on these federations, aiming to increase player numbers and strengthen their infrastructure. This initiative complements the College's overarching strategy, demonstrating a balanced approach that prioritises both internal expansion within federations and external growth through the recruitment of new federations.
Despite this recalibration, the College remains committed to its ambitious goal of achieving 45 active CMAS-affiliated federations by 2026. Programs to encourage new federation participation and streamline the affiliation process are still firmly in place, with added emphasis on partnerships, training, and grassroots development to build a strong foundation for the sport globally.
This dual approach highlights the College's adaptability and commitment to fostering a thriving underwater hockey community. By addressing the unique challenges of both emerging and established federations, CMAS continues to lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and greater inclusivity in underwater hockey worldwide.
Wellness Survey Results: Insights from the Underwater Hockey Community
The CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission extends its gratitude to the 24 Federations who participated in our recent Wellness Survey. This initiative aimed to assess the Commission's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement in serving the underwater hockey community.
The survey results offer valuable insights into our strengths and highlight opportunities for growth.Leadership and Governance
Leadership and governance received high scores, with 70.9% of Federations expressing satisfaction with the Commission's overall performance. A strong 66.7% of respondents reported feeling very confident in the Commission's leadership. Additionally, 54% of the community believes the Commission is open to new ideas, though 41.7% noted that this openness could be more consistent.
Transparency
Transparency, defined as how well the Commission shares information and goals, scored 69.6%. This suggests that while strides have been made, there remains room to enhance the clarity and accessibility of shared information.
Engagement and Participation
Engagement in meetings revealed varied participation levels. Only 45.8% of Federations consistently attend meetings, with another 33.3% attending frequently. This indicates a need to explore strategies to boost attendance and ensure all Federations are actively engaged.
Communication Channels
Communication emerged as a key strength, with over 80% satisfaction across all aspects, including CMAS's engagement with Federations, opportunities for open dialogue, and the frequency of communication.
Areas for Improvement
The survey identified social media platforms, CMAS TV, and the Commission's website as areas requiring focused attention. Enhancing these channels will be critical for strengthening outreach and connecting with the global underwater hockey community more effectively.
Moving Forward
The CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission is committed to leveraging these insights to refine our strategies and foster a more inclusive and effective environment. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our sport, and we look forward to continued collaboration with Federations worldwide.
Thank you for your participation and ongoing support in driving underwater hockey forward!
Welcome to the Team
It is with great excitement that we welcome Patrick Kraak from the Netherlands as the new Director of Events for the CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission. Patrick's appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the organisation of our events, and we are eager to see his expertise and passion drive the success of future tournaments and initiatives.
The official announcement of the Deputy Director of the College of Events will take place during the meeting on 30 November 2024. We look forward to this opportunity to further solidify our leadership team as we continue to develop and elevate underwater hockey on the global stage.