Loughborough Students' Handball Club
ABOUT US
Loughborough University Students Handball Club has had a very short, but spectacular history. Only forming in 2007 with around 10 members and 1 team, the club has grown to over 70 members and 3 different teams competing in a variety of leagues. This growth shows no sign of stopping, and is likely to be fuelled by handball’s recent success at the London 2012 Olympics.
From 2010/11 to 2011/12, the club lost 84% of its members due to students graduating, but instead of folding the club grew to over 70 members this year, now consisting of 2 Men’s teams and 1 Woman’s team. The Men’s first team finished unbeaten in the East Midlands League with a positive goal difference of over 100 and the team is on course to be promoted into the National League 1. The Men’s second team – only formed in 2011/12 – came second in the league, just after the first team, whilst the women – also only recently formed and in a very experienced league – have recorded 3 wins in their last 4 matches.
Loughborough Handball has proven it’s not just a team isolated within the University, playing a vital role in the growth of the UK’s new second favourite sport. A recent coaching session held by the club was held in a local school where 60 school children had the chance to experience the fast sport first hand. Additionally, 6 schools from the local area were invited down for a Taster Day before being able to see GB women play Poland in a World Cup qualifier.We are one of the strongest contributors to the Great Britain University Handball squad, with 24 current players from men’s and women’s teams invited to play with GB University Handball in Eindhoven, many of whom only started the sport this year.
COMMITTEE:
Committee Chair: Jamie Skelding
Secretary: Charlotte R.Røed
Vice Chair: Alexandra Webb
Fixtures and Transport Secretary: Alysha Martin
Treasurer: Matt Hoffmann de Visme
Social Secretaries: Sarah Proud (Female), Ed Woodhouse Darry (Male)
Tour Representatives: Sarah Proud, Ed Woodhouse Darry
Stash Representative: Lewis Jenkins
Media Representative: Timothy Parkes
TEAM CAPTAINS:
To be decided at the start of next season.
COACHES:
Dan Odlin
Jamie Skelding
Super Gui
SOCIALS:
One of the reasons we perform so well on court is because everybody works for each other and knows exactly how to motivate their fellow team mates. This doesn’t happen overnight or by accident, our social events play a vital role in improving team morale and the bonds formed between the members, bringing the team closer together, whilst striking the perfect balance between working hard and playing hard.
TOUR:
Last year the club went on Tour to Lloret-de-Mar, Spain, to participate in an International Handball tournament organised by the Mayor of Lloret-de-Mar. Unlike most Sports Clubs’ Tours, this was a truly international tournament with teams being represented from Norway, Sweden, Spain, Germany, France and many others; with it being the first year a UK team had been represented. The standard of handball was higher than any previously seen by Loughborough University and helped the players learn more in one week than they had in a Semester of handball training.
As well as a fantastic level of opposition, it also allows for the club to relax together with sun, sea, sand and sangria whilst being able to go sight seeing in the local area. Away from the court, the team enjoyed ‘Beach Olympics’, tours of the city and interacting with teams from different countries.
Tour in 2012/13 promises to be even bigger, and even better.
UNI CHAMPS:
This years British University Handball Championships where held in Manchester. This included an overnight stay in Manchester to participate in the national tournament over 2 days. It also gave all three teams the chance to step up and experience the level of competition from all around the country, rather than their own leagues.
FIXTURES:
Fixtures take place around the Midlands area. A calender with game dates will be uploaded as soon as the fixtures are set.
