From 1–8 October 2025, three New Zealand handball coaches joined peers from across Oceania at Nissan Arena in Brisbane to complete the IHF C-Licence Coaching Course, an internationally recognised qualification that marks a new milestone in the professionalisation of the sport within our region.
Led by IHF Lecturer Jochen Beppler, the course brought together coaches eager to strengthen their understanding of technical, tactical, and pedagogical principles that underpin modern handball. For New Zealand, it wasn’t just a qualification, it was an investment in the future of coaching and player development.
A New Chapter for New Zealand Coaching
Representing New Zealand were Thomas Schmider (Head of Delegation, Youth & Junior Men’s National Teams), Frederic Han (Head Coach, U18 Men’s National Team and Wellington Handball), and Pepe José Romeo (Auckland Handball, supporting school-level development).
Together, they reflected the full pathway of New Zealand handball, from school outreach to elite youth programmes. Their participation symbolised a united effort to raise national coaching standards and align with global best practice.
“It would be great if, from now on, we could work together on a long-term plan to grow New Zealand Handball with the knowledge we’ve gained.”
Jochen Beppler - Bringing Global Experience to Oceania
At the centre of the course was Jochen Beppler, one of Europe’s most respected handball educators. Currently Bundestrainer U17 for the German Handball Federation and an IHF and EHF Expert, Beppler has decades of experience mentoring youth national coaches, analysing international competition, and shaping elite coaching frameworks worldwide.
Across the eight days, Jochen blended structured theory with practical insight. He challenged participants to think critically, design purpose-driven training, and connect technical precision with tactical understanding. His approachable, humble teaching style made complex ideas accessible to all.
“What stood out most about Jochen was his humility, patience, and ability to sense and adapt to the cultural differences of Oceania. His openness in sharing his experience and genuine respect for everyone made the course truly inspiring. We’re deeply grateful to the IHF for making this possible and for the trust they’ve shown in Oceania’s coaching community.”
Acknowledging Queensland Handball and the IHF
The course was made possible through the collaboration of Handball Australia and the International Handball Federation (IHF), with Queensland Handball serving as the official host. Special thanks go to Susan Wilson-Gahan (Queensland Director, Handball Australia Board), Chris Scholl (Head Coach, Sydney Uni Handball Club), and Roland Nemes from the IHF Lecturer team for their organisation and support.
Held primarily at Nissan Arena, the course mixed classroom instruction, group workshops, and on-court practice. The professional coordination and welcoming atmosphere helped create lasting connections between New Zealand and Australian coaches.
Inside the IHF C-Licence Course
The IHF C-Licence is the second step in the International Handball Federation’s global coaching pathway (D→ C → B → A Pro Licence). It provides a foundation in technical execution, tactical understanding, coaching methodology, and player-centred learning.
Each participant was assigned a specific topic at the start of the course, for example, “Attack situations, numerical superiority, using open spaces in 2×1 situations” or “Side movements inside the goal (basic technique)”. Coaches were required to prepare a 90-minute training session plan, then deliver a 20-minute on-court presentation demonstrating key exercises and corrections.
The second part of the assessment was an oral exam, where each coach presented a player profile, analysing strengths, areas for improvement, and an individual development plan based on technical, physical, and psychological criteria.
Through this dual assessment, participants demonstrated both practical coaching ability and strategic understanding of player development, embodying the IHF’s philosophy of “training with intention.”
“This course showed how important it is to understand the science behind coaching. Every drill should have a purpose. Training with intention and helping more coaches in New Zealand gain this qualification will lift our entire standard.”
Strengthening Oceania Connections
Beyond formal sessions, the week fostered collaboration across the region. New Zealand and Australian coaches bonded quickly, sharing ideas, discussing local challenges, and even setting up a WhatsApp group that has now become an active knowledge hub for resources, videos, and best practice exchanges.
This sense of community ensures the momentum continues beyond the course, strengthening both countries’ capacity to grow handball together under a shared Oceania vision.
What It Means for New Zealand
Completing the IHF C-Licence represents more than an academic achievement. It strengthens New Zealand Handball’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality coaching nationwide.
As more local coaches gain international qualifications, our player pathways, from school teams to national squads, will benefit from evidence-based, globally aligned training environments.
The goal is to host an IHF C-Licence Course locally in the near future, a major step toward creating ongoing learning opportunities and building a stronger network of qualified coaches across the country.
“The key now is to make courses like this accessible to every coach in New Zealand, giving them the knowledge and tools to progress in their own careers and, ultimately, to elevate the development of our players.”
Gratitude and Next Steps
NZ Handball extends its heartfelt thanks to Jochen Beppler, the International Handball Federation, Handball Australia, Queensland Handball, and the organisers Susan Wilson-Gahan, Chris Scholl, and Roland Nemes for their dedication and support.
Course Snapshot
Event: IHF C-Licence Coaching Course
Dates: 1 – 8 October 2025
Location: Nissan Arena, Brisbane (Australia)
Lead Lecturer: Jochen Beppler – IHF Expert & Germany U17 Coach
Organised By: IHF in collaboration with Handball Australia & Queensland Handball
New Zealand Participants: Thomas Schmider, Frederic Han, Pepe José Romeo
Duration: 8 days + Online Intro Session
Assessment: 90-min training plan + 20-min presentation + oral player profile exam
Outcome: International C-Level Coaching Certificate
If you’re a coach interested in pursuing the IHF C-Licence, please fill out the Expression of Interest form or reach out to the New Zealand Handball Federation. Together, we can continue building the foundations for long-term growth.