#FridayFocus – EHF Youth Leadership Panel Chair Emilie Vedel Blankschøn

Emilie Vedel Blankschøn is the Chair of the EHF Youth Leadership Panel and a ‘veteran’ of our Youth Leadership Festivals, having been to two.

“I attended my first EHF Youth Leadership Festival in Amsterdam in 2017 and I literally knew no one. I came into the room and saw that most people knew someone, but me, I was alone in the world! Not a single person in the room was familiar and I was so nervous!”

“I was so surprised at how open everyone was, the guys, especially Chloe, Cederic and Harri were amazing and welcomed me with open arms! I am so happy now to call them friends and in 2019 in Antwerp, it was just fantastic to see them all! So my nerves from 2017 had turned into real excitement in 2019!”

“In 2017 I presented on the work that I had been doing in Denmark and was thrilled to be shortlisted to present to the many Presidents of Federations from around Europe! But I was thrilled that Cederic won in 2017, his work with Hockey ID athletes in Belgium is just brilliant and we were all so proud of him! I was then asked to sit on the EHF Youth Leadership Panel, which I was delighted to do, so I was a part of the planning for the 2019 Festival!”

“Under the Chair leadership of Leen Ryckx, we worked on changes for the 2019 Festival and Tom (Pedersen-Smith) was happy to let us lead on what we believed the delegates wanted. In 2018 we were so lucky to attend the Indoor World Cup in Berlin and spend time planning for the Leadership Festival, in terms of the structure and shape, which we think we really nailed! In 2021, we know that the line-up will be fantastic and I know that the EHF will be announcing the speakers soon.”

“My role, as Chair now of the EHF Youth Leadership Panel, is to make sure that all those nervous people that don’t know a soul are made to feel welcome in Amsterdam in June!”

Her highlight of 2019 “Dancing like no-one is watching” I asked her to explain “Well it was at the of the final day of the Leadership Festival and we were at the Village at the Belfius EuroHockey Championships and a few people were up dancing, I’m not sure exactly sure what sparked it, but all of a sudden the whole group was up on the ‘dancefloor’ and having the best time ever! There is very little that replaces the joy of dancing.”

Emilie’s message to anyone thinking of coming in June “The pause has been so long, we need this Leadership Festival to get new inspiration and the energy from the group. To be able to smile with other young leaders will be amazing. We all miss seeing our hockey friends!”

Get in contact with your own Federation to make sure your book your place!