Podcast #16 IRF Executive - Fre Eskens

The second Roundnet World Championships takes place in less than a few days, from 28 August to 1 September 2024 and we spoke to the main organizer, Fre Eskens from Belgium.

Tune in on YouTube or Spotify!

In this part of the conversation, Jakub and Fre discuss their involvement in the Roundnet community and the founding of the International Roundnet Federation (IRF). Fre shares his journey from playing Roundnet to organizing tournaments and eventually becoming a board member of the IRF.

They also talk about the challenges of organizing events and securing sponsorships. Fre also talks about his experience working for Spikeball and the support he received from his company. They touch on the process of starting the IRF and the difficulties of coordinating with board members from different countries. They both express the desire to have more time to connect with other players and explore the cities they visit for tournaments.

The conversation explores the challenges faced by the International Roundnet Federation (IRF) in terms of the intense schedule of tournaments, the need for a sustainable long-term perspective, and the desire to establish a world ranking system. The lack of financial resources and the difficulty of attracting and retaining volunteers are also discussed. The idea of offering internships and letters of recommendation to volunteers is suggested as a way to incentivize participation.

The need for in-person meetings and coaching seminars is highlighted, but the financial constraints make it challenging. The importance of grassroots investment and demonstrating value to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) is emphasized as a way to generate revenue and support the growth of the sport. The conversation in this part focuses on the importance of asking for financial support and investing in the development of roundnet.

 

Jakub emphasizes the need for NGBs to start asking players for membership fees and show the value they provide in return. Fre suggests using funds to support NGBs in Africa and increase the number of NGBs globally. They also discuss the importance of having a sustainable financial plan for the IRF and the potential of attracting experts from different industries to contribute to the sport.

Fre shares his favorite memories as an organizer and player, highlighting the growth of the sport and the sense of community. They also touch on the need for rule changes to improve the watchability of the sport and encourage players to provide feedback and ideas to the rules committee.

The conversation explores the importance of behind-the-scenes work in the growth of roundnet and the need for financial compensation for those involved. It emphasizes the need for patience and the recognition of the hard work put in by organizers and volunteers. The conversation also touches on the importance of community and the connections made through roundnet.

------------------------

Do you want to be the first one to learn about new articles, and special offers (coaching or events) and interact more with us, Future Roundnet? Sign up for our free newsletter here and don't miss another set😉.

We recently developed our own Roundnet Coaching App - you can download it for free in the App Store or Google Play Store.