I.W.V. stands for Inter-West-Flemish Association… an organization that has been recorded in history as 87 years of West-Flemish Association and 22 years of I.W.V.
The current president of this unique Association is Mr. Filip Norman, who succeeded his father Norbert.
Filip continues to carry on that wonderful organization with bravado, together with his two lieutenants: Eric Claerhout and Joris Follet.
The I.W.V. has been a term of reference in the coastal province for many years, with the annual tribute to the champions evolving into an excellent event.
The award ceremony takes place every year at the “Domein Maelstede” in Kuurne, an event which is accompanied each year by a high-quality culinary banquet.
A total of 192 attendees were welcomed by President F. Norman in his opening speech.
In the I.W.V., the competition runs for all major half-fond and fond-playing enthusiasts from the coastal province across 5 categories, plus a general championship in which the 50 best players of the I.W.V. can enjoy a free cash prize alongside the free prizes in the various disciplines.
General Championship
In the general championship, the victory went to the tandem Peter Casteleyn & Gilbert Van Parys from Zwevezele (Groot-Wingene): They can reflect on an absolutely brilliant season in which 52 points were collected.
In second place, we have Bart Vaneenoo from Wingene with 51 points, also after a particularly successful 2023 season.
Third, also after a top year, was the tandem Frans & Frida Vanwildemeersch-Vyncke from Knokke-Heist.
A total of € 3,100 was distributed among the 50 nominees.
Heavy Fond with Old 1 – 2 :
The top-3 in this discipline were
1st Fernand Malfait from Zerkegem,
2nd Koen Meerschaert from Moerkerke, and
3rd Bart Vaneenoo from Wingene.
20 nominees shared € 1,200 in free prizes.
Great Half-Fond Old with 1-2-3-4
With the first four entered pigeons, points could be scored in this discipline.
In 1st place were Willy - Jo - Hans Dekeyser from Koekelare, modest enthusiasts with a very good colony of pigeons.
Following them was Laurens Heggermont from Ingelmunster on the podium, another fine enthusiast, and in 3rd place was Patrick Staelens from Sijsele.
In this discipline, it was a tough battle, given that the winning number of points was very close together.
Again, 20 nominees could split € 1,200.
Fond Old with 1-2-3
The winner was Fredrik Everaert from Aarsele with 18 points, closely followed by Team Huyzentruyt-Fourneau from Moen with 17 points
in second place, and on the third podium spot were S & P Colpaert from Roeselare, also with 17 points, but a slightly higher coefficient.
Once again, three very good fond colonies.
The € 1,200 for the fond old was shared by the 20 nominees.
Yearlings with 1-2-3
With 22 points, Casteleyn-Van Parys won the issue among the yearlings,
followed by Rik Cools from Ruiselede with 21 points in 2nd place and
Bart Vaneenoo from Wingene with 19 points in third.
Again, 20 nominees for the € 1,200 in free prizes.
Young Pigeons with 1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6
In this category, one had to count on the first 6 entered pigeons.
The 2023 standout Rudi Verhaest from Lichtervelde was able to step onto the highest podium after a super strong season with his young pigeons.
The following combination also rounded off a superior season and finished in 2nd place, namely Vanwildemeersch-Vyncke from Knokke-Heist and
in third place, Mario Vandekerkhove from Ingelmunster took pride in his accomplishment.
Again, 20 nominees for the expected € 1,005.
Provincial/National Winners / National Champions
After the official award ceremony followed the customary tribute to provincial/national winners / national champions.
Traditionally, the celebration of the Inter-West-Flemish is one of the most beautiful of the annual “mid-season.”
Again, president Filip Norman, assisted by Eric Claerhout & Joris Follet, can look back on a particularly successful champions’ tribute.
It honors them every year. Congratulations, gentlemen.
Text J. Mestdagh/photos: G. Claerhout