The European Beach Handball Championships are on in Croatia between July 4-9. You can follow the progress here http://www.ebhc2011.com/ The site has live streaming options available too. Get pumped and ready for the upcoming NSW beach season this summer.

NSW Handball is arranging a Handball Specific Beginning Coaching (Level 1) for Sunday July 24 at Sydney Olympic Park run by Brisbane presenter Paul Langenberg. Participants will be required to complete the free  ASC online Beginning Coaching General Principles course (or hold another Level 1)  prior to the course. Expressions of interest or enquiries to bronwyn@www.nswhandball.com.au

Mixed Handball is part of the Eastern Uni Games being held July 4-7 in Canberra. All the best to the NSW members participating with their respective Unis – make sure you bring all your players back to our Club comp after they haev a taste for the fantastic game!

NSW members held a Beach Handball Sausage Sizzle fundraiser at Thornleigh Bunnings on Sunday. Thanks to the organisers, Rachel and all the volunteers and Bunnings for the event. Keep posted as Summer begins for details of Beach Handball opportunities. Next year’s Nationals will be in Victoria.

Congratulations to the NSW U18 Men, U21 Women and U21 Men for their successful defence of their National titles and well done to U18 girls for their strong efforts over the weekend (June 25&26). Congratulations to ACT for their U18 Women’s win.  Thanks to our hosts Queensland for a fine weekend and to ACT and Victoria for competing also.  Keep an eye on the AHF website for upcoming reports.

NSW HA congratulates the following NSW players who were selected to be part of the u21 Australian men’s team to compete in the International Handball Federation (IHF) Challenge to be held in India during 29 June – 3 July 2011:   Ailao Ale, Timothy Anderson, Lucas Frey, Mitchell Hedges (Captain), James Ridley, Robert Ridley and Dominic Tsang, and Richard Ridley as Coach.

This is the first time that this tournament is being conducted by the IHF as part of its thrust to provide competition as part of development of young players.
(Thanks to Violi Calvert for this report.)

The AHF is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from current male and female players wishing to nominate to be considered for selection into National squads – U17 (Youth), U20/21 (Junior), Senior/Open and Open Beach handball teams. These EOIs are being used to determine the feasibility of having training squads in the various categories for planning future touring and competition possibilities. Depending on the number of applications received they may be subject to an initial culling in consultation with State/Territory  members. 
 

The Selection Criteria document with nomination form for submission is available from the AHF site at www.handballaustralia.org.au/Latest%20News%20Pages/2011/News%2020JUN2011.htm. Please note that teams are mostly player funded. A payment policy has also been developed with deposits required once events are confirmed and individual squads may also have specific selection targets as prescribed by the relevant Squad Management.

Please forward EOIs to the Secretary-General by COB July 9 via email at

sec-gen@handballaustralia.org.au or

via post to PO Box 6471, Silverwater NSW 2128.

The Australian Women’s team won the right to represent Oceania in Brazil in December 2011 for the World Championship.  They played two games against New Zealand in Wellington over the weekend, winning both. 

Saturday May 28: New Zealand 13(5) : Australia 22 (11).

Final Match Sunday May 29: Australia 25 (11) – New Zealand 15 (7).

Congratulations to the team. Thanks to New Zealand for some putting up some hard fought opposition and for hosting the event.

See Media Officer Violi’s blog of the event at www.handballaustralia.org.au

The NSW Club League season started on Saturday with the results of the first round:

Women – UTS Women vs Harbourside Women 28-11
Men – Hills heat vs Harbourside 24-20
Men – Hills Blaze vs Five Dock 44-30
Men – Sydney Uni vs UTS 31-10

Some teams had a rest day due to Byes and having players on call up to the Australian team for the Oceania qualifier being held in New Zealand over the weekend for the Women’s World Championships in December.

The NSW Handball League kicks off this Saturday with games beginning at 9am at Sydney Olympic Park. The draw has been emailled to all clubs so please check with your club regarding your frst matches. Canberra (Men), Sydney Uni (Women) and Hills Fire (Women) have rest days this week – the two womens’ teams rest is due the Oceania Qualifier for the World Championships being played in NZ. We wish the girls good luck. All other teams are playing. The draw will be posted to the website in the coming weeks.