3) Successful individuals experienced training camps in
Denmark and Germany. How are these countries’ (or others’)
systems of identifying and developing talent different to
the UK?
SF: In Denmark Handball was on TV, in the papers and
was seen as the no.1 sport. It was good and made
training in a foreign country easier as it was seen as
something really worthwhile.
BB: Their process and development starts earlier with
children exposed to the sport in these countries at
the age of 8. They also have all the age groups in
place at a national and regional level.
LI: In many European countries handball is played
from a young age with a much larger quantity of
players. Therefore talent identification occurs much
more similarly to developed sports such as football
or netball in the UK. Youngsters are spotted and
they join good clubs and then it is similar to the
football league in the UK as you can then get
spotted by other coaches for example and work
your way from the bottom to the top.
LB: Within both Germany and Denmark they have a very
well established system of identifying players who
come through the traditional junior to senior
competitive route, supplemented by good school
and club training and competitive structures. These
countries still undertake testing of their talent but
within the structure of regional and national
development programmes of players who are
“within” the handball system, they do limited or no
talent transfer. Denmark is particularly interested in
the GB project and are keeping a close eye on what
happens with the GB teams.
TASK 05: Why do you think the training camps for the
talent development programme for British Handball were based
4) What is required in the UK system to develop more
in Denmark and Germany?
Handball talent in the future?
SF: Access to courts (full-size) and let kids know about
the game earlier… e.g. in schools. I had no idea
what handball was until this process and is one of
my regrets that I did not find out sooner as I am
“Denmark is particularly
sure I would have played it.
interested in the GB project
BB: Training and development of coaches and officials.
and are keeping a close eye
LI: In the UK there need to be more players so that a
proper league can develop and so that matches
on what happens with the
can be played. People need to be made more
aware of handball because not only is it a great
GB teams”
sport to play but it is a good spectator sport too.
The equipment needs to be available, such as the
goal posts and full sized courts with court markings,
at the moment it is even difficult to get hold of a
handball in the UK.
42 Sport IQ : September 2008