Congratulations to Jessica Fearnside who was a finalist in the “Young Official of the Year” at the recent 2011 NSW Sports Federation Awards held at the Waterview Convention Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
(Thanks to Scott Fearnside who attended awards and filed this report).

Invitation to youth under 16s to learn or participate in handball. The initial two training sessions will be on Sunday 26/2 & 4/3 from 4-530pm with a third session possible on 11/3, depending on interest.
Venue: Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre, 150 Belmore Road, Riverwood
Cost: $20 per player for three sessions or $8 per player per session.

For booking and additional info, contact: Claire Dennerley on 0429 93 1107

NSW Women and the NSW Mixed team placed first and were were undefeated at the January 27-29 Beach Handball Club Championships at St Kilda Beach. The NSW men’s team placed third.

The final day of the Champonships also included 2 games between Australian and New Zealand women for the Oceania qualification place for the mid-year World Championships in Croatia. The Australian girls won won both games in a tight competition.

National squads were also selected at the event. Congratulations to NSW players selected: Allira Hudson-Gofers, Taylee Lewis, Emma van Bussel, Daniela Cook, Rachel Lowewijks, Alex Michalak, Tim Harvey and Michael Sullivan.

For details on Beach Handball on Sunday afternoons, follow the news on the NSW Beach Handball Facebook page.

Handballers Needed for ‘Girls Get Active’ Schools’ Gala Day. At least 8 handballers who have played in a national or NSW team to do a demo of handball, answer questions from the students and being the ambassadors of our sport on the day. This special event will be part of Sydney’s International Women’s Day celebrations. Girls from up to 20 high schools and primary schools will be participating in a variety of fun, safe and inclusive physical activities to highlight the importance of women and girls involvement in sport.

The event is Thursday 8th March 2012, 10:00am – 2:00pm at Sydney Olympic Park.

Those who are interested and available on the day, please email violigcalvert@gmail.com or bronwyn@www.nswhandball.com.au by February 7 please.

EOIs are being sought for boys and girls born 1997 and later for potential Australian squad tour to Sweden and Spain in late June/early July. Sponsorship is being sought to assist with costs but this is not yet confirmed. For players interested in trying out for the squads contact Paul Smith paulndebra2@optusnet.com.au or Bronwyn Thompson sec-gen@handballaustralia.org.au

NSW Men and women are participating in the Australian Beach Handball Championships at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne between January 27-29. The completion is preceded by a camp for national selection hopefuls, and the weekend concludes with the Oceania placement qualification for the 2012 World Championships, with Australian Women playing New Zealand. Best wishes to all NSW club participants and national selection hopefuls. Go NSW!

Plans are underway for a training camp/trials in Sydney later this month for upcoming mid-2012 Spain and Italian tour for boys born 1994 and later.

It is proposed to hold a session in Brisbane on the 17th and 18th of January and in Sydney on the 20 and 21st of January. It is estimated that the cost to cover court hire etc will be around $50 per person.

If you are interested in attending these nationals training sessions, please return email to team manager Paul Smith paulndebra2@optusnet.com.au by Sunday (8 Jan) so preparations can be made.

In lead up to the 2012 Beach Handball Nationals and National Team selections, a training camp is being held in Sydney on Sunday January 8 with current National Women’s Coach and former Men’s Coach Nanna Hedberg. The cost is $25 per player. There are 2 sessions; 11:00 – 13:00 and 15:00-17:00. For further information and RSVP, contact Rachel Lodewijks on secretary@utshandball.com or check details on NSW Beach Handball Facebook page.

The Australian Women’s team competing in the World Championships in Brazil have made frontage news on the IHF website for their commitment – well done girls!
http://www.ihf.info//MediaCenter/News/NewsDetails/tabid/130/Default.aspx?ID=915

NSW and AHF Media Officer Violi Calvert joined the team last night, so keep an eye on the AHF site for updates and the girls’ progress. Our best wishes to the team.
http://www.handballaustralia.org.au/

Nominations for NSW players/teams to particpate in the Australian Beach Handball Championships are due by Wednesday November 30 to to Rachel Lodewijks at secretary@utshandball.com The Australian Championships are to be held at St Kilda Beach Melbourne from January 27-29, 2012 followed by the Oceania quafication event for the the World Championships also on January 29 at St Kilda Beach.