Handball New Zealand stands to directly benefit from the International Handball Federation Men's World Championship, which got underway this week in Egypt, thanks to a new agreement with TAB NZ.
"European Handball is a growing sport in New Zealand. While we're not competing at the current World Championship, our agreement with the TAB means we have a better chance of making it there in the future" says New Zealand Handball Federation President, David Ireland.
"With New Zealanders now able to place bets on handball, Handball NZ stands to benefit, meaning we will have more funding to invest in this increasingly popular Olympic sport.
The ability of the TAB to offer handball follows the New Zealand Handball Federation receiving official confirmation of its status as a National Sporting Association from Sport New Zealand.
“Being formally recognised by Sport NZ was a great way to finish 2020. Getting on board with TAB NZ is a superb way to start 2021” says Ireland
The TAB currently offers odds on 34 sports and has a legislated objective to maximise the returns to New Zealand sports from betting.
"Every year the TAB returns around $150 million to New Zealand racing and sport. Handball is a big sport internationally and a great addition for our customers, the speed and flow of the game lends itself well to betting", says Simon Thomas, TAB GM Betting and Customer. "Every bet on sport through the TAB has a direct benefit back to New Zealand. We hope this new partnership helps grow the sport in New Zealand.
Handball has featured at every Olympics since 1972. There are 28,000 handball clubs around the world and over 27 million registered players. New Zealand has played in the Asian Handball Championships in the past, most recently the NZ Men’s Team competing in Kuwait in January 2020, but has yet to make the full world stage.
Media contacts:
David Ireland, NZHF President – 021 343 615, president@handball.org.nz
Daniel Triebsch, NZHF Secretary-General – 021 209 2985, secretary@handball.org.nz
Jun Tanlayco, NZHF Media Officer – 021 681 055, media@handball.org.nz