Last weekend marked a milestone for Belgian ice hockey with the very first official Equipment Manager training, organized by the Royal Belgian Ice Hockey Federation (RBIHF). This three-day hands-on course, supported by the IIHF and USA Hockey, took place in Mechelen under the guidance of Max Elberty, a seasoned expert from USA Hockey. Eight enthusiastic participants received intensive, practical training, each paired in teams to ensure a highly technical and immersive experience.
To complement the training, RBIHF hosted an international U14 tournament featuring national development teams from Scotland, England, and Norway. This event provided trainees with a unique opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills in a real-world setting. The initiative was born out of the growing need for qualified support staff within Belgium’s national teams and represents a significant step forward in professionalizing team operations.
RBIHF aims to expand its training offerings to cover all support roles within teams, helping volunteers and staff gain the knowledge needed to elevate the sport. In two weeks, the annual coach certification for LTP, Level 1, and Level 2 will take place in Mechelen. Registration is still open via the federation’s webshop. These efforts highlight RBIHF’s commitment to sustainable development and excellence in Belgian ice hockey.