President's Update - July 2023

Mid-winter greetings, New Zealand Handball supporters!

July has dished up its usual fare of Handball activity around the country, with the senior men’s and `national youth squads holding training camps and each Region’s Handball programmes in full swing. In some ways it has been the calm before the storm, with an action-packed three months ahead.  Those three months are book-ended by two major international tournaments New Zealand is taking part in, with some high octane domestic competition and a dose of organisational admin thrown into the mix - there should be something in it for everyone!.

In this month’s updates I touch on a few of the highlights coming up, plus offer a sneak peek at something truly special in store for next year.

NZ Youth Men depart to take on the world

Hard to believe the day has finally come. After an intense six months of training and fundraising, our Men’s Under 19 Squad has now left the country for the Handball Youth World Championships in Croatia, 2-13 August, taking in a high performance training camp with other nations in Hungary en route.

It has been a massive undertaking for Delegation Head Thomas Schmider, coach Hayden Juranovich and the lads, and now their time has finally come. New Zealand is up against Hungary, Morocco, and Slovenia in pool play. It is not going to be easy over there, but it is fantastic for a New Zealand  team to be a part of it. Check out the NZHF Facebook page for details and how to access livestreams (hopefully!) of our games, or check out the details here https://handball.org.nz/u19-mens-handball-world-championship-2023 . Give ‘em a taste of Kiwi, boys!

And it’s not all about the boys. Closer to home, the Women’s Junior and Youth squads are taking shape as they prepare to take on the best Oceania has to offer in New Caledonia in October. Delegation Head Laura Macready has been working tirelessly to pull it all together in a hurry, and we are looking forward to seeing them in action.

And now for the REAL excitement –

NZHF AGM 1 October

Yes, everyone’s annual highlight of the Handball calendar, the New Zealand Handball Federation AGM, has been set down for Sunday 1 October, commencing 7.30pm. As with the last couple of editions, we will be running this year’s AGM virtually. Please email president@handball.org.nz no later than 16 September if there are any items of business you would like raised.

Other than presenting our annual report and financial statements, the key item of business for each AGM is usually the election of Executive Committee members. As per the constitution, this year Tim Rayner, Willy Silcock and Maddie Stephen stand down by rotation as they end their current two-year term, with me and Rowan Moloughney continuing, and the Life Members’ appointee for the year ahead (currently Frank Stoltenberg) to be confirmed following the AGM. That means there are four spots up for grabs to be elected at the AGM. If any of our Clubs have someone in mind they think could make a positive contribution to New Zealand Handball by serving on the Executive Committee, please encourage them to make themselves available and put their names forward.

The deadline for nominations for Executive Committee members is Saturday 16 September, and the confirmed agenda for the AGM will be circulated 17 September.

Referee course 2023

This year’s online referee training course has now concluded. Thanks to all those who invested their time to take part, and the Clubs who supported the programme – and to Antoine for running it. We look forward to announcing the newly minted crop of referees who have qualified to wear the green at September’s Club Champs. Speaking of which -  

Club Champs – Wellington’s Ākau Tangi Sports Centre, 8-10 September

We have had 15 teams register for this year’s Club Champs by the deadline – ten competing in the Men’s section and five in the Women’s, including one team coming over from Sydney to take part. That’s two more teams than last year, and we are looking forward to another fantastic tournament and opportunity for the entire New Zealand Handball community to get together.

Further details to follow closer to throw off time. Meantime, for any teams travelling from out of town who are yet to secure their accommodation, we have secured a special deal for the tournament with the Brentwood Hotel, just a short stroll from the Stadium - https://www.brentwoodhotel.co.nz/. Contact secretary@handball.org.nz for more information about how to access that deal.

Regional Champs – Christchurch’s Pioneer Stadium, 7-8 October

To round off the upcoming dosage of Handball action we have the clash of the Regions in Christchurch, as we look to finish the indoor season in style. Regional Associations, please ensure you are liaising with your affiliated players in plenty of time to be able to take part.

Trans-Tasman Clash – Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park 3-5 May

To round off this month’s update, I am delighted to announce that we are scheduling a trans-Tasman clash in May, for what we hope will become a regular fixture on our respective Handball calendars. The plan is to stage a contest involving Senior and Under 20 Teams, Men and Women, for the first leg of a home and away series. This is the first time we have attempted such a clash on this scale, as we look to increase the level of competition between New Zealand and Australia. We are still in the early planning stages, but save the date!

Yours in Handball,

David Ireland

President

New Zealand Handball Federation  

,

U19 Handball Team's Unstoppable Journey to the World Championships in Croatia

,

In a whirlwind of passion and dedication, the U19 handball team embarked on an extraordinary journey towards the World Championships in Croatia. As the head of delegation, Thomas Schmider, I am thrilled to share the incredible highlights and challenges faced by this determined group of players.

The Campaign's Humble Beginnings

The journey commenced after the Oceania champs in December, when Hayden Juranovich and I initiated the call for players to join our World Championships campaign. Witnessing the commitment of both players and their parents filled us with excitement and hope for what was to come.

A United Delegation

With Olly Donaldson and Roland Nemes joining us, tthe delegation took shape, and together, we strategised our campaign. Our priorities were crystal clear: budgeting and fundraising, player development, marketing, and understanding the logistics of the World Championships.

Training Camps and Game Practice

To prepare rigorously, we organised three intensive training camps in Christchurch and participated in the Auckland Handball Championship for valuable game practice. These efforts were crucial in honing the players' skills and enhancing their physical fitness.

Overcoming Struggles

Our journey was not without challenges. Financial burdens weighed on both parents and players, as the costs of participation fees and flights escalated. Limited resources within the delegation also posed hurdles. However, the unwavering commitment and motivation of the team helped us overcome these obstacles.

Remarkable Fundraising Efforts

Undeterred by the financial challenges, our players & parents organised fundraising events like sausage sizzles, cake sales, raffles, quiz nights, and more. These remarkable fundraising events not only provided financial support but also strengthened the bond within the handball community

The recent partnership with Select has had a positive impact on our on-court appearance, and we are enthusiastic about nurturing this relationship for upcoming initiatives. The communication and coordination regarding Select orders have been excellent, and we are grateful for their continuous support throughout our journey so far.

Building a Supportive Network

In an effort to foster a strong sense of support, we took the initiative to print fan shirts specifically designed for parents and fans. These shirts not only served as a way for supporters to showcase their enthusiasm for NZ handball but also created a sense of unity among the team's followers. Wearing these shirts during matches and events further amplified the team's presence and generated a vibrant and supportive atmosphere.

Recognising the importance of keeping parents involved and informed, we introduced monthly Q&A sessions exclusively for them. These sessions provided a platform for parents to interact with the coaching staff, ask questions, and gain insights into the team's progress and strategies. By involving parents in this way, we aimed to create a more connected and engaged community around the handball team.

As part of our efforts to raise awareness and promote NZ handball, we produced two compelling promotional videos videos. These videos showcased the skills, dedication, and passion of our players, giving the world a glimpse of the talent that lies within our handball community. Through social media and various online platforms, these videos garnered widespread attention, not only increasing our fan base but also attracting interest from international audiences.

The combined effect of these initiatives had a profound impact on the team's morale and spirit. The unwavering support from parents and fans, evident through the fan shirts and their active participation in the Q&A sessions, motivated the players to perform at their best and feel a strong sense of unity. Additionally, the global recognition generated by the promotional videos opened up new opportunities for NZ handball, bringing attention to the sport at an international level.

Celebrating Victories

As we approach the World Championships, we celebrate the biggest wins achieved during this campaign.

  • Each player has undergone significant personal development, both on and off the court. On the court, our players have imrpvoed their skills, displaying remarkable techniques and tactical understanding. From mastering intricate handball moves to executing flawless teamwork, their progress has been evident in every game and training session.Beyond the physical aspect, the players have blossomed into exceptional individuals off the court as well. The challenges they faced throughout the campaign have instilled in them resilience and determination, traits that will serve them well in both their sporting careers and personal lives.

  • We successfully enhanced the profile of NZ youth handball, gaining recognition from handball nations worldwide. Our relationship with the IHF and the connections we established have been invaluable. Their incredible support, both financially and with resources like handballs and coaching assistance, has been instrumental in our journey.  We want to specially acknowledge Bob Zermani, who traveled all the way from Germany as a coach from the IHF (International Handball Federation) to assist us with any coaching requirements we may have during our time in Hungary, and Samuel Selig (IHF), who made this initiative happen. Their contributions have been truly incredible and we are extremely thankful for their assistance.

The Heart of the Community:

The NZ handball community rallied behind our cause, with 360 donors generously raising nearly $40,000 NZD. The dedication of parents has been nothing short of astonishing, further strengthening our resolve to create a bright future for NZ handball.

As we stand at the precipice of the U19 World Championships in Croatia, we reflect on the extraordinary journey that has brought us to this point. The passion, dedication, and unity of the U19 handball team, along with the unwavering support from the community, have been nothing short of inspiring. Together, we have overcome challenges, celebrated victories, and carved a path for the next generation of NZ handball. The future looks bright, and we eagerly anticipate the exciting journey that lies ahead. Go Team NZ! 


Thomas Schmider

,

U19 Men's Team leaves for World Championship

,

Our U19 men’s team will fly out from Auckland on Sunday, 23 July, to start their journey to the World Championship in Croatia. They will first go to Hungary for a training camp and warm up games. The 10th IHF Men’s U19 Handball World Championship in Croatia will start on 2 August 2023. For the championship, our team is part of Group B with Hungary, Slovenia and Hungary. Their preliminary games will be played in Varaždin in Croatia. For more details about the tournament, schedules and links to games and results, go to U19 Mens Handball World Championship 2023

Speaking prior to the flight on Sunday, Thomas Schmider, Head of Delegation.

“As the head of delegation, I am truly humbled by the dedication and perseverance shown by our U19 national handball team in their preparation for the upcoming World Championships. It has been a remarkable journey so far, and I couldn’t be prouder of each player’s growth and commitment to their sport.

Together, we embark on this exciting adventure, knowing that success is not guaranteed, but we will give it our all with a united spirit. We value the opportunity to represent our nation and showcase our passion for handball on the world stage.

The road ahead might be challenging, but we approach it with humility and gratitude for the chance to compete among the best. We understand the importance of teamwork, and we will lean on each other’s strengths to overcome any obstacles we may encounter.

Our focus remains on the love of the game, and win or lose, we aim to leave a positive impact with our sportsmanship and camaraderie. With hearts full of determination, we are eager to embrace the experience, learn, and grow both as individuals and as a team.

Together, we carry the hopes and dreams of our country, and we promise to give our best effort in every match. We hope to inspire not only through our performances but also through the values we uphold on and off the court.

Thank you to all our supporters for believing in us. Your encouragement fuels our passion, and we are excited to make you proud throughout this incredible journey”
— Thomas Schmider, Head of Delegation

Coach Hayden Juranovich,

“I am super excited for the journey ahead. This is an awesome opportunity for the boys travelling to be able to train and play over in Europe and gain some invaluable experience.

The tournament will be tough. But I know the boys have been training hard and will give it everything they have and do NZ proud.

Time to show off NZ handball to the world.”
— Hayden Juranovich, Head Coach

Messages from New Zealand Handball Federation

New Zealand Handball Federation and its Executive Board wishes the team safe travels and good luck. We know the team will make the country proud. And foremost, enjoy the amazing experience ahead.

Rowan Maloughney, NZHF Secretary General

David Ireland, NZHF President

President's Update - June 2023

Kia ora koutou Aotearoa Handball Whanau

I am penning this month’s update hot on the heels of our first ever high performance super camp in Christchurch, with our men’s and women’s youth and senior squads coming together to make the most of the coaching resources on offer. It was awesome to see all that handball talent on display, and fantastic to have international coach Roland Nemes over here spreading his handball wisdom  - as well as the wisdom shared by our domestic-based coaching talent as well, of course! A big shout out to all those who juggled the logistical challenges involved to bring it all together so well.

The squads all now go their separate ways with their respective programmes, but the success of this first attempt at a multi-dimensional camp has encouraged us to try the initiative again when the planets next align.


Trans-Tasman Condolences


It was with great sadness that we heard of the shock death of Australian Beach Handball coach Patrik Weiss in Perth earlier this month. Very sobering to think that less than two months before his death he was playing a key part in orchestrating Australia’s victories over New Zealand in the Oceania Beach Handball finals in Coolangatta. Our thoughts go out to Patrik’s family and the Australian Beach Handball community, and we wish the Aussie national teams well as they deal with this setback on their path to the Beach World Games in August.


Regional Round Up


One of our strategic initiatives is to ensure we are connecting our regions together, and we had a good catch up with many of the regional reps earlier in the month. The fantastic mahi that Justin and the rest of the Canterbury Handball community are putting in to provide handball in schools is particularly encouraging, with some great structures in place. The future of handball in that region looks to be in great hands, and we hope to be able to replicate some of the initiatives that have brought success in Christchurch elsewhere in the country.

Other regions have their challenges, but there are some good initiatives in play - and good to see the Wellington Club league start up again at the start of the month. One area we are struggling with is numbers in Queenstown, so if any of you know of anyone in that area who might be interested in a hit out, please send them Leo’s way.


Tournament Survey


Another initiative we have under way is to gather feedback from the first three national tournaments that have taken place so far this year. Your views matter, and we are committed to making all New Zealand  handball events the best they can be. So if you were involved in the Beach Handball Club Nationals, the Queenstown Open or the Auckland Open, please take the time to complete the survey and let us know what you think.

You can find a link to the survey here: https://handball.org.nz/tournament-feedback. 


Youth High Performance


The details for the Women’s Youth & Junior IHF Trophy qualifiers have finally been announced - 16-20 October in New Caledonia. It was encouraging to see such a strong turnout of the youth squad at last weekend’s super camp, and it looks like we have some exciting new prospects in the mix. Relieved they now have a date to focus on - and it ain’t far away! Contact secretary@handball.org.nz if you would like further details.

Before that event takes place, we of course have our youth Men taking on the world in Croatia early August. The preparatory campaign has been massive. The delegation has had to deal with more than its share of challenges, but they are nearly there -and it’s not too late to donate to the cause or sponsor the team!! See https://handball.org.nz/youth/current-youth-mens-campaign for further details.


Referee training


Antoine’s excellent refereeing course continues each Sunday evening. If you want to be paid to referee at an NZHF national tournament in New Zealand, or be put forward to referee at international tournaments, need to take this course. On that note, we are seeking expressions of interest for a pair of referees to participate in the Women’s Youth & Junior IHF Trophy qualifiers in New Caledonia in October. Contact referees@handball.org.nz to get involved.

Coaching

 If you are interested in beginning your coach development, please reach out to high-performance@handball.org.nz. Tim and Roland will be running an entry level and a high performance focused coaching programme to upskill you and help encourage conversations and collaboration between our coaches doing their great mahi for the benefit of New Zealand Handball.

Club Champs


And last but certainly not least - There’s now less than three months until the pinnacle of the domestic handball scene - the NZHF Club Champs and registrations are now open! We’ll be starting early on Friday 8 September and going through until late afternoon Sunday 10th. Entry fee is $500 per team, with the WCC Sports Event Partnership Fund coming to the party once again to help subsidise the costs involved - big thanks to our friends at WCC and the fabulous Ākau Tangi Sports Centre for making the event possible.

Please register your teams here: https://forms.gle/7dtqWMnWZfjfcMRx9

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact secretary@handball.org.nz

That’s it for now. All the best for your Handball endeavours, whatever they may be, and take care out there.

David Ireland
President
New Zealand Handball Federation

NZHF Partners with SELECT NZ

New Zealand Handball Federation and SELECT NZ formalised their partnership 20 May 2023. SELECT NZ is the preferred supplier for New Zealand indoor representative teams. They first kitted the New Zealand Youth and Junior Mens teams at the 2022 IHF Trophy Oceania. The NZ Youth Mens Team will again be wearing SELECT NZ when they represent Oceania at the IHF U19 World Championship 2023 in Croatia.

A dedicated page for New Zealand Handball on SELECT's website for easy access to a range of customised kit - Freedom@Play-NZHF

NZHF President David Ireland and SELECT NZ Director Pushkar Kulkarni

“Select New Zealand are delighted to associate with New Zealand Handball Federation and we look forward to working with NZHF for a foreseeable future by ensuring supply of quality clothing range, accessories and playing equipment for the domestic and international campaigns. Our aim is to work with NZHF and Regional associations to grow the sport across New Zealand and contributing to developing it at the grassroots to best our abilities. ”
— SELECT NZ Director Pushkar Kulkarni
“The SELECT brand is a great fit for New Zealand Handball. SELECT put forward a really strong proposal, and we are looking forward to a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Pushkar and the Freedom2Play team over the years ahead.”
— NZHF President David Ireland

NZHF President David Ireland (fourth from left), NZHF Secretary General Rowan Maloughney (third from left) and members of the NZ Senior Mens and Womens teams

President's Update - May 2023

Kia ora koutou, Aotearoa Handball Whānau!

A mixture of looking back and looking forward in this month’s update as the indoor handball season swings into gear.

 

Auckland OpEN

I am penning this month’s update hot on the heels of another fabulous Auckland Open. Good numbers attending, lots of tight matches and fierce competition. and some exciting handball talent on display, young and old - a treat to be there to witness the event. New Zealand handball looks to be in a good space.

Congratulations to the Auckland Women’s team for convincingly taking out their section of the event in a round robin competition, and to the Wellington Barbarians for taking out an all-Wellington final against the Vic Uni Turtles in a very closely matched 6 team competition. Congratulations also to Auckland Handball for organising such a smoothly run tournament.

 

Tournament feedback

With three major tournaments now under our belt for 2023 (Beach Club Champs and the Queenstown and Auckland Opens) we will shortly be circulating a feedback survey to ensure all involved have an opportunity to have their say. We feel there is some great handball product being delivered, but we know there is always room for improvement so would love to hear from you. And don’t feel you need to wait for the survey to have your say - please reach out to secretary@handball.org.nz at any time if you have any feedback you would like us to take on board.

 

Upcoming events

The Auckland Committee aren’t resting on their laurels with the Auckland Open now done and dusted. They are also hosting a male youth/under 20 tournament over the weekend of 8-9 July, and an equivalent female tournament over the weekend of 5-6 August.

If that age bracket is relevant to you, please do whatever you can to get along - Auckland has a track record of building great competitions, now it’s in the hands of under 20 players to get in behind the opportunity. 

Each major region is aiming to send a team to both competitions so please get in contact with your local region for more information on joining that team. 

Auckland:  info@aucklandhandball.com 

Wellington: admin@wellingtonhandball.com 

Christchurch: secretary@canterburyhandball.org.nz 

Otago: otagohandball@gmail.com

 

The next scheduled national domestic event is the Club Champs in Wellington on 8-10 September. It’s shaping up to be a great tournament, so make sure you have it locked into your schedule to come along.

 

We also have various training camps being held for our national representative squads, as well as local trainings taking place in each region. And on the international stage it is now less than ten weeks until the IHF Men’s U19 Handball World Championships…

 

NZ Youth High Performance

The men’s youth champs in Auckland in July will be the last hit out for our Under 19 Team before they head off to take on the world in Croatia.https://handball.org.nz/youth/current-youth-mens-campaign Thomas and the boys have run an amazing fundraising campaign to help cover the significant costs involved, and have really appreciated the overwhelming support they have received to date - but would also really appreciate any further support anyone is able to provide! They are still looking for a major sponsor to take advantage of the opportunity presented - for more information, contact youth@handball.org.nz.

Of course, it’s not all about the boys. We had a good level of interest in joining our female Under 17 and Under 19 squads, and we have assembled a great coaching unit to support them. The immediate focus of the girls’ campaign is on the IHF Trophy Oceania qualifiers being held later in the year, but longer term we are committed to building depth in this group - so the door remains open for new players to join the wider training squad for the campaign. Please register your interest through the EOI form on our website: https://handball.org.nz/youth-handball

 

Beach

The Beach Handball season reached a crescendo with the Oceania Beach Handball Qualifiers held in Coolangatta over ANZAC Weekend. The Men’s and Women’s teams played their hearts out, both making the finals but fell just short, sadly missing out on qualification to the World Beach Games in 2023 and the Beach Handball Championships in 2024. While these results were agonising for all involved, our players gave it their all and did their nation proud. Congratulations to the Australian teams going on to represent Oceania at the upcoming world events. But we’ll be back!

The NZHF management team is now looking at options to give our young and hungry sides the best available international experience and opportunities. We remain committed to moving from strength to strength in the beach handball scene, despite the disappointment in Coolangatta. In the coming months we will be finalising our national calendar for next year with some exciting changes, so for those who prefer their handball action on the sand, keep an eye out for what’s in store.

 

Referee courses

Switching from the playing side of the fence, one of our key ongoing initiatives is to improve the quality of our refereeing and overall understanding of the rules of our wonderful game. Antoine will be kicking off this year’s referee education programme on the first Sunday evening of June. It’s all run virtually, and we would love as many of our community as possible to take part - including those who went through last year’s programme and would like a refresher. For those completing the course, there is NZHF referee accreditation up for grabs, which brings with it eligibility to be paid for games you referee at national events.

The course is an essential building block for anyone interested in refereeing at a higher level - and is great for anyone just wanting a better understanding of the game. Look out for further details being posted later this month, or contact referees@handball.org.nz if you would like to register your interest in taking part.

 

Regions

Part of our strategic initiatives includes improving the information flows between the regions. We will be looking to convene a regions’ hui in the next few weeks, and will report further on what’s going on handball-wise around the country in next month’s update.

 

That’s it for this month – best wishes to you all for your various handball endeavours, whatever they may be.

 

David ireland

President

,

Shout Out to the NZ Under 19 Mens World Championship Delegation

,

With the NZ youth team busy training and preparing for the 2023 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, we would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the delegation behind the team.

Please continue supporting the team by going to NZ Youth Handball.

TIM RAYNER

High Performance Director

Tim is the current High Performance Director of NZHF. He coordinates and coaches the NZ representative teams. He has coached the youth team that won the 2018 IHF Trophy Oceania and at the IHF Intercontinental Trophy. He has also coached the New Zealand Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball Team. The men’s beach handball team played at the 2018 World Beach Handball Championship in Russia as a wildcard. And followed that up with winning the Oceania qualifiers to represent the region for the 2022 World Beach Handball Championship in Greece.

 

THOMAS SCHMIDER

Head of Delegation

Thomas was the president of Auckland Handball from 2019 to 2022. During that time they have setup the foundation for a youth team in Auckland. He took over the management of the national youth teams last year with the successful campaign at the 2022 IHF Trophy Oceania were the Youth team placed 2nd and the Junior Team 3rd. He looks at his main responsibility as the Head of Delegation is to “enable the management team to make choices that create the future for the National Youth Handball Team. The goal is to establish an environment where the players feel well looked after, can train and perform like professionals and are inspired to connect with other players”.

 

OLLY DONALDSON

Manager

A relatively newcomer to the handball community, he has a Sports Management and Psychology degree. He was part of the team delegation at the 2022 IHF Trophy Oceania were the Youth team placed 2nd and the Junior Team 3rd. He is currently part of the NZ Men’s Beach Handball team and played at the 2022 World Beach Handball Championship in Greece and the 2023 Oceania Beach Handball Championship in Australia.

 

HAYDEN JURANOVICH

Head Coach

Hayden coached the youth teams at the 2022 IHF Trophy Oceania were the Youth team placed 2nd and the Junior Team 3rd. He has also the coached the Canterbury Women’s team. As coach he is “looking forward to helping (the) guys grow as players and see where this sport can take (them) as many opportunities have opened up recently for our players”

 

ROLAND NEMES

Coaching Advisor

Roland is an IHF Lecturer and has been involved in handball coaching including national teams, top-tier club teams and young players at grassroots level. He brings a wealth of coaching knowledge and expertise.

Oceania Beach Handball Championships Day 2 Summary

Willy Silcock, Beach Handball Coordinator, summarised day 1 for the New Zealand teams.

“The Beach Handball New Zealand Team’s put together some solid performances on day two of the Oceania Qualifiers!

The Women's team put on a dominant display in their last pool match against American Samoa and secured the second seed going into the Semi-Finals!

The Men's team may have suffered a tough loss against Australia in their opening game, but they bounced back with a gritty win over Cook Islands to earn themselves a rematch in the final!

We are so incredibly proud of our New Zealand Beach Handball players and all that they have accomplished thus far in the tournament! Keep up the outstanding work and give it everything you've got in the final!”

For more details, results and links go to Event Page

Oceania Beach Handball Championships Day 1 Summary

Willy Silcock, Beach Handball Coordinator, summarised day 1 for the New Zealand teams.

"Our national teams played two games each today. The men won their matches against both Australia and Cook Islands. The women started off with a good win versus Cook Islands, and came up short against Australia in pool play. Great job, everyone!

While it's an impressive start, our coaches think the teams still have a lot more to give in the final two days of the Oceania Qualifying Championship. Let's keep pushing and striving for excellence, as we know that there is always room for improvement and we want to continue to challenge ourselves to reach our full potential. With dedication, hard work, and a focus on teamwork, we can elevate our performance to even greater heights. Congratulations to our teams on a great start, and let's keep up the momentum!"

For links and results go to Event Page

President's Update - April 2023

Tēnā Koutou, Aotearoa Handball supporters

 A busy past month for New Zealand Handball. Much mahi has been put in on multiple fronts off the court, as well as on court success in the form of another successful annual Queenstown Social Tournament to kick off the indoor season. Congrats to Leo and the Queenstown Handball team for pulling that off, great to see the camaraderie that is New Zealand Handball on display once again. Next national tournament cab off the rank is the Auckland Open on May 20-21, which is shaping up to be another goodie.

 The big ticket item for your Exec has been progressing our strategic plan to ensure we are focusing our efforts for maximum impact. Our vision, purpose and values remain the same – the key objective remains to grow New Zealand Handball to its full potential and deliver great Handball opportunities for all. It’s the paths we follow to get there where you will see some changes.

 Feeding off the very constructive Club and Regional Associations strategy session last December, there are three broad strategic pillars to our go forward strategy:

  • Governance: The framework within which New Zealand Handball operates needs to be effective

  • Lifting the Standard: Everything we do is of a high standard and professionally run.

  • Growing the Base: Player and administrator numbers are increasing with good retention and all regions thriving.

 All three pillars are important and all are interconnected, but the main focus for now is on Growing the Base. To that end we have identified our top ten priority initiatives to deliver on the strategic pillars. They include the newly formed Women’s Working Group, development of a player pathway, regular regional meetings to be kicked off by an engagement survey coming your way next month, clearer processes for appointing our coaches, and coach and referee development. We will post this up on the website in the coming weeks.

 A key component of our overall strategy is fostering strong relationships with our strategic partners. We already have enduring relationships in place with Sport NZ, the Goethe Institut, and TAB NZ. Last month we were delighted to announce last month our signing of Select New Zealand as our preferred supplier of Handball kit for our indoor Handball representative teams moving forward. You can check out their great range of clothing here https://www.freedom2play.co.nz/collections/nz-handball.  We encourage all our community to take advantage of what is on offer. If any of our Clubs or Regions are thinking of re-kitting their teams, please consider Select as an option. Use the code NZHF1 when ordering from the website to unlock a 20% discount across the SELECT range, excluding clothing.

 Fostering the next generation of senior players is a critical part of the strategy, and it is really encouraging to see the momentum of our Men’s Youth Team being maintained as they work towards the World Youth Champs in August. They have received great support from the local and international community in their fundraising efforts to date, for which they are extremely grateful – but there is still a long way to go! If you think you might be able to help out, check out their fundraising page https://nzyouthhandball.raisely.com.

 While we are on the subject of Youth Handball, the call is out for female players born on 1 January 2004 or younger to join our Women’s Youth and Junior Teams to compete in the IHF Trophy Oceania Qualifiers later this year. That’s the pathway our Youth Men took last year to qualify for this year’s World Champs, and it would be fantastic if one or both of their equivalent Women’s teams could follow in their footsteps. Links to the EOIs can be found on our March 23 post, with applications closing on 30 April. If you know of any budding young female stars who have yet to register their interest, please encourage them to do so.

On the High Performance front, we are in the full swing of preparing our indoor Handball squads to target international tournaments. The High performance organisers are running an ALL National teams camp on the 23rd June - 25th June in Christchurch. The vision for this camp is to reconnect with all programmes in the one place, utilising the skills and experience we have to help all levels of Handball.  If you are a player interesting in developing your skills in New Zealand please reach out through the NZHF social media – someone will be in touch.

 Calling out all foreign players and coaches based in New Zealand who want to be involved in the New Zealand handball journey – please sing out if you want to be involved in more handball! Contact high-performance@handball.org.nz for more details.

 Finally, the weekend of April 21-23 sees the Oceania Beach Handball Qualifiers take place in Coolangatta. It is going to be a stiff challenge for our Men’s and Women’s rep teams to get over the line, but they couldn’t be better prepared to take on that challenge. All the best guys, we know you will do the country proud!

 David Ireland

President

New Zealand Handball Federation