HANDING THE GIRLS A CHANCE

Following on from the successful Boys Handball Talent ID session at Newham Leisure Centre, it was the turn of the girls to display their Handball skills for the Newham Council and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) 'Handball Talent ID' programme.

 

Over 40 Year 9, 10 & 11 hand-picked girls from Lister Community School, Plashet Girls Secondary School, Little Ilford School, Cumberland School and Eastlea School had the rule run over them in the hope of being accepted into the Newham Sports Academy.

 

The Newham Sports Academy was launched in October 2006 and aims to give local young people the opportunity to reach their full sporting potential in time to compete - and hopefully win medals - at the 2012 Games.

 

The night included a warm-up, ball skills and a match with GB Women's Handball Performance Coach Vigdis Holmeset ending the nights' proceedings with a talk to those in attendance.

 

For Plashet Girls Secondary School student Sajarob, the night was great fun and offers an alternative to the usual sports found in a PE lesson.

 

"I have been playing Handball for four years now and really enjoy the shooting, running around and bouncing the ball," she explained.

 

"I also play cricket, netball, basketball and football but I want to concentrate on Handball as those other sports can be quite similar and Handball is more enjoyable -  we need more girls playing Handball."

 

Fellow Plashet Girls Secondary School students were equally enthused.

 

"I enjoy Handball at school and I am here tonight as I would like to go a bit further," explained Busha.

 

"The highlights for me tonight have been being hit by the ball twice – once in my face and once all over!"

 

"It's alright," said Kalima. "I really enjoy it, but am bruised everywhere. I like everything about it and am here because I love this kind of sport."

 

Riswanar said: "My friends all begged me to come and I am really enjoying it. It's a really active game, you never stop.  In Tennis you just use your hands but this sport you are using everything all the time – it's dynamic."

 

Itza from Lister Community School backed up the Plashet Students thoughts.  "I have been playing for one year; love the game and love playing it with my friends.  I don't think I am any good, but my friends do!"

 

For Miriam Pupalova, Handball Development Officer, the night was another success with the GB coach in attendance.

 

"Vigdis was there for the whole session," she explained animatedly.

 

"She was very pleased with how Handball is developing here.  The attendance was great and there were about 5-6 girls who she is interested in.

 

"She was really enthusiastic about the Talent ID sessions and will be coming again to see the progress of the group."

 

For further information please contact Miriam Pupalova at LOCSP on 020 8556 5973 or email enquiries@locsp.org

 

Text: Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme

HANDBALL CONTINUES TO GROW IN NEWHAM

The London Borough of Newham Sports Development Team, Newham's 2012 Unit and the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) are continuing to roll out their 'Handball Talent ID' programme across the borough of Newham. 

 

Following the successful boy's session that took place last Thursday at the Newham Leisure Centre with the men's British Handball coach in attendance, a session for girls has been organised for this Thursday - 14th February - from 4.30-6.30pm and there will be some high-profile handball guests in attendance.

 

Vigdis Holmeset, Women's Performance Coach for the World Class Handball Programme, has worked for 20 years as a handball trainer in Norway and will be joined on the night by Melanie Chows, England National Women's Coach.

 

Those identified at the session as having potential will be selected to attend the Handball Development Centre which will be held at Newham Leisure Centre on a weekly basis and the opportunity to take part in International competitions.

 

Text: Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme

Manchester Handball Club Promotional Video

An exciting montage of video clips promoting Manchester Handball Club and inspiring talented athletes to be part of the 2012 Olympics.

Reporters join Ashford U16 Training Session

On Thursday 7th February, Kent On Sunday reporters Tom Howard and Dave Pritchard visited Ashford Tanners Handball Club and joined the boys during their training session. Watch the video

A COLD and blustery Thursday night down by the A13 at the Newham Leisure Centre may not inspire dreams of Olympic glory, but that is exactly what Newham Council and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) are aiming for with their innovative Handball Talent ID programme.

Over 35 Year 9, 10 & 11 boys, hand-picked from Newham schools by Miriam Pupalova, LOCSP Handball Development Officer descended on the leisure centre to have the rule run over them in the hope of being accepted into the Newham Sports Academy.

The Newham Sports Academy was launched in October 2006 and aims to give local young people the opportunity to reach their full sporting potential in time to compete - and hopefully win medals - at the 2012 Games.

Nicole Napier, Team Leader, London Borough of Newham Sports Development Team, explained how the programme came about.

“Newham is the Olympic Host Borough and the British Olympic Association are aiming to enter athletes at every sport in 2012, so the opportunity came about with LOCSP to try Handball.

“The young people here tonight absolutely love it. The programme is getting bigger and bigger every month. It’s a great turnout and we are really pleased.”

The night started off with a warm-up and skills, then a game, before ending with a British Handball coach giving a talk to those in attendance about what makes a good handball player.

Anish Somasekaram from Stratford who attends the City of London School for Boys caught his breath for a minute and explained why Handball is the game for him.

“I do sessions with Miriam at Score in Leyton and she told me about this night so I decided to come down. I never met any of the guys here before tonight, but they all seem to be really enjoying it.

“I love Handball because of the thrill and because it’s so fast-paced. It’s fun because you are always moving.

“I like passing, doing my tricks and trying new things. I hope to get some of my friends down to the next sessions as Miriam always keeps them entertaining.”

For Miriam, the night was a great success and a sign of how Handball is starting to take hold amongst young people.

“The guys here tonight were really responsive, enthusiastic and with potential to become great handball player. Handball is a relatively new sport for them to encounter and they are picking it up with ease – which is one of the great things about the sport.”

“The work we are doing here in Newham is getting more and more popular each month. This day is confirmation of success and I am looking forward to continue and raise the profile of Handball Development to the highest level. ”

Following these ID sessions the plan then is take the selected players up to a Handball camp in Liverpool to join up with local young people there, but for those wanting to get involved in the game there are plans for something a bit closer to home.

“Miriam is going out to do sessions in the community,” explained Nicole. “This February half term she will be in the Stratford Shopping Centre and anyone can just turn up and do some sessions - hopefully we can identify some people there that can join our Newham Sports Academy.”

Two New Handball Blogs

You can now read about Scottish Players in the GB Handball Performance Programme at http://blog.scottishhandball.com and all of the players, coaches and support staff are featured on http://britishhandball.blogspot.com/