David Ireland
NZHF President

Portfolio(s): Legal, Policies and Partnerships, Complaints and Integrity

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:

I am a partner at law firm Dentons Kensington Swan, which is part of the global law firm Dentons. I joined a predecessor of the firm to open the mail back in the 80’s and have been a partner of the firm since 1998, including a couple of stints on its governing board. I also chaired the Onslow Cricket Club in Wellington for many years, and have been on the St Pat’s College Kilbirnie Board of Trustees since 2012.

WHAT’S YOUR HANDBALL HISTORY?

Susan and I started supporting handball in 2011 when our eldest son Luke first played for the Vikings as a 15 year old. Since then handball has taken us around the world as all four of our children represented New Zealand on the international stage at age grade and national levels - including trips to places as far flung as Bulgaria, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Mauritius. I have been the manager of the New Zealand men’s team since August 2019, and for the past couple of years have been putting in cameo appearances on court for the Foxton Fruitflies Handball Club.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE NZHF?

With handball now dominating much of my non-work life, I have a vested interest in ensuring New Zealand Handball becomes the best that it can be. The sport has provided an amazing life experience for my kids over the years, and it’s time to give back. I want to ensure we have the best infrastructure possible to grow this wonderful sport, and as many New Zealanders as possible gain exposure to the joys of handball.

My many years of volunteer involvement administering a large amateur sports club, coupled with more than 30 years’ in my day job advising on the governance of incorporated societies, charitable trusts and regulated bodies, mean I have vast experience to draw on to help move New Zealand Handball to the next level.

Leanne Dawson
Secretary General

Portfolio(s): Competitions

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:

I’m originally from South Africa, but now call Upper Hutt home. I’m passionate about sports, play squash and hockey, regularly up in the bushes trail running and rogaining, - used to love marathons and ultramarathons, and more recently picked up pickleball and rowing! With four kids who’ve competed at regional and national levels in multiple sports, I’ve been actively involved in setting up sports events, clubs, and teams, as well as coaching and managing school and representative teams.

My background is in education, food and sports science, community nutrition, and strengths coaching, and I advocate for and encourage people to get involved in sports and support their growth and development. These days, I work in health, focusing on public health projects that promote community well-being and reduce harm.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HANDBALL HISTORY:

My love for the game of handball comes from watching our daughters compete at regional and national levels. They first got into handball back in 2015 through a school league in Lower Hutt, and we’ve been cheering them on ever since - even traveling internationally for their games. I’ve personally dabbled a bit in both beach and indoor handball (and loved playing) and I’m holding out hope for the day a Masters league kicks off in New Zealand and maybe even seeing NZ participate at the World Masters! NZ handball community is something truly special, with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and a genuine passion for encouraging people to get involved and be active.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE NZHF?

I was keen to join NZHF because of my lifelong dedication to sports and extensive experience in playing, coaching, and managing competitive sports teams. I’m excited to contribute to the development and growth of handball in New Zealand, knowing how much work goes on behind the scenes to grow the sport and build its future. Alongside my sports roles, I’ve held governance positions in various sports committees, school boards, and community trusts, and led organisations where I’ve been involved in strategic planning, policy development, and oversight. I’m hopeful that I can bring some of these skills to support the incredible work already being done by the NZHF committee and handball regions, to grow handball in NZ, and help address the complex challenges many sports trusts experience and contribute to the implementation of meaningful initiatives.

Willy Silcock
Treasurer,

Portfolio(s): Beach Handball, Finance

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:

I am a Born and Bred Cantabrian that has always been obsessed with competition. I work as a Tactical Asset Engineer in Fulton Hogan at a national level that gets me round the country frequently.

When I am not playing/coaching/managing handball I enjoy a social round of golf and have a soft spot for a cheeky gaming session.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HANDBALL HISTORY:

I was introduced to the sport in 2005 when I went to Japan on a sister city exchange and played it after school, I didn’t get another chance until 2007 when a crazy Danish Coach, Morten Hust Peterson, who’s passion was infectious and ever since I have been hooked.

I have played for New Zealand at both an age group and nation level at Goal Keeper, at a club level in the outfield and for the Beach Handball at the team’s first World Championship in the defence.

I am currently involved in the Canterbury Mens team, Supporting the coaching staff of the Canterbury Womens team and am involved with the Management of Handball in Canterbury.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE NZHF?

This sport is my passion and I truly believe that handball is incredible at teaching teamwork, basic co-ordination and advanced motor skills. Handball has played a huge role in my life and I am extremely grateful that there was people who pushed the sport to where it is today.

I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me so joining the NZHF has given me a chance to do this. I’m really excited to help build on the foundations that have been laid by the previous teams before us. This, coupled with my experience in management gained over the course of my career, puts me in a great position to help push handball forward in NZ.

Julien Pringot
Executive board member

Portfolio(s):

Julien Pringot

Executive board member

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:

I live in Canterbury and work as a software engineer. My wife Marianne and I share a passion for Brazilian music and play with friends in both Christchurch and Wellington. When handball and music do not keep me busy (approximately 2-3 days a year), I enjoy skiing and bodyboarding.

WHAT’S YOUR HANDBALL HISTORY?

My mother was a PE teacher and played handball in the 70s in France. Both my older siblings played at a decent level in France. My involvement with handball started at university and continued playing for a few years in small clubs around Paris. After relocating to England in 2011, I joined the London GD Handball Club. The Olympic Games had raised the profile of the sport and I helped with coaching beginners, kids as well as the reserve team playing in the London development league. During that time, I taught our 3 children the basics of handball.

After moving to New Zealand in 2018, I joined the Canterbury Quakes as a player and got involved in coaching. I am also part of the committee and currently president of the club.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE NZHF?

Handball is a central part of our life here in New Zealand. The handball community is like family.

Our two sons Paul and Hector, and now their younger sister Louise, are representing New Zealand in international competitions. The NZHF board, coaches and all the volunteers involved were key in creating this unique opportunity for them.

Joining the NZHF was the next logical step. My experience developing Handball in England gave me a lot of insight, with hard learned lessons related to promoting and growing a minority sport.

I want to have a positive impact on the growth of the sport, and to contribute as much as my fellow board members and predecessors.

Karl Fitzpatrick
Executive board member

Portfolio(s):

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:

I grew up in Blenheim and was fortunate to have parents who run an indoor sports centre, which gave me a passion for all things sports. After moving to Wellington to undertake university studies in Architecture, I migrated to Finland, before returning to Auckland for my current role at Auckland Airport helping with the major redevelopment.

WHAT’S YOUR HANDBALL HISTORY?

Growing up my main sports were Cricket, Indoor Cricket, and Athletics, in which I was a Javelin thrower, so I had a strong will to throw things. In 2004 I watched the women’s handball final between Denmark and South Korea at the Athens Olympics, which went to double extra time and a penalty shootout, I was hooked, as it combined everything I loved about the sports I played. I then moved to Wellington in 2005 and was introduced to handball by my dorm mate, Jeremy Clark. After the first training with Frank and Iva, I have never looked back. Since then, I have played for New Zealand in Australia, Tahiti, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and South Korea. My wife Ronja is from Finland, and after following her there in 2009, I first trained and eventually played for a club called HIFK, based in Helsinki, for their first and second team, between 2010 and 2021, with a couple of years off when we had our twin boys. I now play and coach for Auckland Handball and am active member of the NZ Men’s Team.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE NZHF?

Handball has given me so much in my life thus far. It has enabled me to travel the world and experience the joys of representing my country, and strong friendships. It is also the common interest that led me to meeting my wife and now sports mad twin boys, Felix and Jakob. Therefore, it is only fair to give back to the community. I played through the founding of the NZHF and don’t take it for granted. I now have the capacity and experience to be able to contribute for the next generation. I want help grow the game and further establish handball as a viable sporting option for New Zealanders.

Frank Stoltenberg
Executive Board Member & Life Member

Portfolio(s): Youth

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
I live in Wellington, and work in Event and Property Management.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HANDBALL HISTORY:
Originally, I came from Germany where I developed my love for Handball from when I was 6 years old playing for my local club in Hamburg. When I moved with my parents to New Zealand at the age of 12 I had to leave Handball behind. It simply did not exist in New Zealand back in 1987! So in 1996, during my University years I decided to do something about it. I started to form clubs and organise regular trainings. With help from other likeminded individuals we managed to build up an inter-regional tournament schedule and local league.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE NZHF?
Being one of the original founders and conveners of the first ever NZHF meeting in 2006, I feel it’s an organisation that’s very close to my heart. As it is with such things you hold dear, sometimes you have set them free, so in 2008 I decided to resign from my position as Secretary-General. Now 13 years later, after having pursued other endeavours, it’s an honour to once again serve on the NZHF executive, which has grown so much in the time that I have been away from it. It’s truly impressive to see all has been achieved and to be part of it again. I look forward to developing handball further in the school and youth sector, as well as to encourage social and widespread community participation.