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- BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 30, 2025) – The European Canoe Association (ECA) charted a course for the future during a congress Saturday, approving a new name, electing new leadership,...
- Moira Aston,currently CEO of Canoeing Ireland and a member of the Irish Olympic Commitee,was elected vice president of Paddle Europe,becoming the first woman to hold the position.
- “I am absolutely happy to be the first vice president of Paddle Europe,” aston said after the election.
Paddle Europe: New Name, New Leadership for Continental Canoe Body
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BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 30, 2025) – The European Canoe Association (ECA) charted a course for the future during a congress Saturday, approving a new name, electing new leadership, and setting strategic goals for the sport. The association will now be known as Paddle Europe, a move leaders say reflects the evolution of the sport and its governing body.
Moira Aston Makes History
Moira Aston,currently CEO of Canoeing Ireland and a member of the Irish Olympic Commitee,was elected vice president of Paddle Europe,becoming the first woman to hold the position.
“I am absolutely happy to be the first vice president of Paddle Europe,” aston said after the election. “Today we have lived great changes and this is a very progressive organization.I will work to promote inclusiveness at 360 degrees, not only in terms of gender, but also of skills and accessibility for everyone.”
New Board Members Elected
In addition to Aston, five new members were elected to the Board of Directors: Greg Smale of Great Britain, Stien Verlinden of Belgium, Vitor Felix of Portugal, Peter Karai of Hungary, and Christian Jacobsen of Denmark. smale, verlinden, Felix, and Karai will serve four-year terms, while Jacobsen will serve a two-year term. Aston and Karai will also represent Europe on the International Canoe Federation (ICF) board.
ACA Rebrands as Paddle Europe
A key decision at the congress was the approval to change the ECA’s name to Paddle Europe. Officials said the change reflects a more inclusive and modern vision. The transition will be gradual, with official events in 2025 still using the ECA acronym.
President Jean Zoungena called it a “historical day” for the association. “The change of name marks a new chapter and allows us to align ourselves with the international federation,” Zoungena said, adding that the organization aims to develop a strong economic model, promote canoeing at all levels, and ensure greater gender equity in governance.
Strategic Initiatives Approved
The congress also saw the approval of several key initiatives, including a advancement program, a sports program, a budget for the 2025-2026 period, and associative shares. special attention was given to expanding recreational and educational activities, with presentations by Gabriele Koch, president of the ACA Recreational Technical Committee, and Matteo Secchi, head of the Special olympics program for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Another notable change is the relocation of the organization’s headquarters from Zagreb to Paris, a strategic move intended to strengthen its presence in the European sports landscape.
Honoring Past Contributions
The congress concluded with a gala dinner honoring outgoing board members. Branko Lovrić,former secretary general,and Miroslav Haviar,former vice president,were named honorary members for their contributions to European canoeing. Ruud Heijselaar, while leaving the board, will continue to chair the Technical Committee of the Marathon. Jovana Stanojevic, recently appointed Sport & Event Manager and already Chair of the Technical Committee of the Canoe Speed, also concluded her term.
Italian Delegation Present
Vice President Antonio Rossi, Secretary General Pamela Venditti, and Head of the International Sector Francesco Iacobelli represented Italy at the congress, underscoring Italy’s commitment to a modern, accessible, and inclusive canoeing community.
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Q&A Blog Post: Paddle Europe: Your Questions Answered
Q: What’s new wiht the European canoe Association (ECA)?
A: Big changes! The ECA has rebranded and is now known as Paddle europe. This shift was officially approved during a recent congress. This change reflects the evolution of the sport and it’s governing body, according to leaders.
Q: Why the name change to Paddle Europe?
A: The name change to Paddle Europe is designed to be more inclusive and modern, reflecting the broader scope and vision of the association.
Q: Who is Moira Aston, and why is her appointment vital?
A: Moira Aston, currently CEO of Canoeing Ireland, has been elected Vice President of Paddle Europe. This is a significant development as she is the first woman to hold this position, highlighting the organization’s commitment to progress.
Q: Besides Moira Aston,who else was elected to the Paddle Europe Board of Directors?
A: Along with Moira Aston,the following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors:
greg Smale (Great Britain)
Stien Verlinden (Belgium)
Vitor Felix (Portugal)
Peter Karai (Hungary)
Christian Jacobsen (Denmark)
Q: What are the terms for the new board members?
A: Four of the new board members will serve four-year terms. These members are: Greg Smale, Stien Verlinden, Vitor Felix, and Peter Karai.Christian Jacobsen will serve a two-year term.
Q: What key strategic initiatives were approved at the congress?
A: The congress approved several key initiatives, including:
An advancement programme
A sports program
A budget for the 2025-2026 period
* Associative shares
Special attention was also given to expanding recreational and educational activities.
Q: What other significant changes were decided at the congress?
A: The organization’s headquarters will relocate from Zagreb to Paris. This is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the European sports landscape.
Q: Who was honored at the congress?
A: The congress concluded with a gala dinner honoring outgoing board members. Branko Lovrić (former secretary general) and Miroslav Haviar (former vice president) were named honorary members for their contributions. Ruud Heijselaar will continue to chair the Technical Commitee of the Marathon, and Jovana Stanojevic, recently appointed Sport & Event Manager and Chair of the Technical Committee of the Canoe speed, also concluded her term.
Q: What does the future hold for Paddle Europe?
A: paddle Europe aims to develop a strong economic model, promote canoeing at all levels, and ensure greater gender equity in governance. They are committed to inclusivity and accessibility, as stated by Vice President Moira Aston.
Q: How does the name change affect events in 2025?
A: The transition will be gradual. Official events in 2025 will still use the ECA acronym.
Q: what was the Italian delegation’s involvement in the congress?
A: Vice President Antonio Rossi, Secretary General Pamela Venditti, and Head of the International Sector francesco Iacobelli represented Italy at the congress. Their presence underscores Italy’s commitment to a modern, accessible, and inclusive canoeing community.
Here’s a summary of the key changes:
Paddle Europe: Key Changes
| Feature | Details |
| :————————– | :——————————————————————————————————– |
| New Name | Paddle Europe (formerly European Canoe Association - ECA) |
| New VP | Moira Aston (first woman VP) |
| Board Elections | new board members from various European countries |
| Strategic Initiatives | Advancement and sports programs; budget for 2025-2026; focus on recreational and educational activities |
| Headquarters Relocation | From Zagreb to Paris |
| Future Goals | Strong economic model, canoeing promotion, gender equity |