Next to representatives from German, Polish, Czech and Austrian fan projects, experts from KOS Fanprojekte (coordinating office of German fan projects), Kibice Razem Poland (Supporters United fan projects), FSE (Football Supporters Europe) and the Czech FA attended the meeting.
Meeting exceeds all expectations
The aims of the meeting were implemented in an excellent way. The participating fan experts formed two working groups consisting of three fan projects each in order to share their expertise and methodology in several networking and study visits until June 2013. Furthermore, the fan workers set a timeline for the development of certain standards and the establishment of professional and socio-preventive fan work in Europe. This catalogue of criteria including the knowledge to be gained at the study visits of the two working groups will be presented at the European seminar in Vienna in 2013.
Chance for fan work in Austria
Thomas Gassler who started his new job as head of the coordinating office Fanarbeit Österreich (fan work in Austria) at the meeting in Liberec, is fully satisfied,
“it is a huge challenge to establish professional fan work across Austria and to organise and coordinate a European network of fan projects at the same time. Nevertheless we are very optimistic, as we can take advantage of the 30-year-experience of German fan projects and our colleagues from Poland and the Czech Republic are highly motivated and fully committed to the cause. It is a great pleasure to work with them. The meeting in Liberec was a milestone for a successful European wide long term project. Here in Austria we only can benefit from this network.”
Armin Weber from Fanarbeit Innsbruck (fan work Innsbruck) adds,
“this EU-project is a huge chance in the development and establishment of professional fan work for Innsbruck and Austria.“
The meeting was organised in the framework of the EU-project „pro supporters – prevention through empowerment“ that is lead and coordinated by FairPlay and supported by the European Commission in the field of prevention of and fight against violence and intolerance in sport.