Major boost for Olympic handball

Meath Olympic Handball Association launched a major coaching initiative ahead of the new season at the Newgrange Hotel, Navan last Thursday night. As part of an international exchange programme, Meath OHA in partnership with Sligo OHA will pilot a European Handball Federation (EHF) foster programme with the Irish OHA and Nederland Handball Federation over the next two years. Top Dutch coach and former player Toneo van Rhee was in Navan last week as a tutor for an introductory course for Meath coaches which will conclude next month. The launch and a one-hour workshop took place on Thursday evening and was followed by a one-day session at Claremont Stadium on Friday. The aim of the foster programme is to provide opportunities for coaches and players from both sides to benefit from exchanges and it is anticipated that in 2009, a number of coaches from Meath and Sligo will travel to Holland for more advanced tuition with plans to send under-age teams at the beginning of next season. 'This initiative is supported by the European Handball Federation and without their support, there would have been no chance of this happening,' stated the Dutch coach who is co-author of coaching manuals in the Nederlands and works with the handball academy of 'Carmel Training Centre" in Raalte, Holland. 'The European Handball Federation have designated the Irish Olympic Handball Association as a 'support" Association and have twinned it with Nederland Handball Association for the purpose of facilitating the development of the game in Ireland from under-age level upwards,' he added. There was also support provided for Meath OHA by Meath Local Sports Partnership. 'This is exactly the type of development we like to see, it involves a lot of co-operation between a number of organisations and I"m pleased to see so many coaches have signed up for this,' stated Meath LSP administrator Marcella Mitchell. The Meath League will cater for u-12, u-14 and u-16 teams and will feature games from November through to February. The Primary Schools" competitions will also begin in November and are scheduled to concluded by the beginning of April. Wednesday, 1st October - formation meeting for league, Claremont Stadium, 7.30. Friday, 10th October - closing date for entry for Primary Schools" Championships. Thursday, 16th October - conclusion of coaching course, 6.30 - 9.30, Claremont Stadium, Navan.