Building the Future of Women’s Handball: A Recap of Our Developmental Camp
Elizabeth Hartnett
Estimator and Project Manager at California Earth Transport, Inc.
Last weekend we took a major step toward growing the sport of handball in the United States, hosting a Women’s Handball Developmental Camp in Irvine and Tustin, California. With 47 incredible female athletes in attendance, the camp was a testament to the enthusiasm and potential for handball as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games .
The camp brought together athletes from diverse sports backgrounds, including collegiate players from water polo, basketball, track & field, soccer, softball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, and rowing. For many, this was their first time playing handball, but they jumped in with excitement, quickly picking up the game’s fundamentals. The demand for handball in the U.S. is growing—nearly half of the camp’s athletes had only started playing in the last three months.?
Bringing this camp to life was an incredibly rewarding experience. From planning every logistical detail to ensuring a top-tier environment for the athletes, seeing it all come together was fulfilling beyond words. Watching these women step onto the court, eager to learn and compete, reminded me of when I was in their shoes 10 years ago. The energy, camaraderie, and excitement throughout the weekend made it all worth it—this is why I am so passionate about growing the sport.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing coaching staff and volunteers, whose dedication and expertise created an amazing experience for all involved. Thank you to the Dream Team: Alireza Habibi, Thomas Baeckmann , Sarah Gascon, PhD , Pauline Marangoni , Dee Miller, and Dr. Matt Hubbard, PT, DPT, CIDN, MS . Thank you to Apex Pro Sports Club and USA Team Handball for your partnership!
Stay tuned for future events as we continue to grow this Olympic sport in the United States, develop talent, and build momentum toward LA28, where handball will take center stage at Long Beach Arena. The journey to finding the next generation of athletes is just beginning!
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event.
领英推荐
Absolutely wonderful to see! Great job!
Team USA Athlete | Senior Manager @ HRiA | Anti-Racist & Abolitionist
1 个月So excited for you!! You’re the perfect person to build out the women’s handball community in the U.S. ??
Licensed Massage Therapist MA & RI and Certified Authentic Pilates Instructor
1 个月Way to go Elizabeth! This is great news!
Complex Director of Sales & Marketing Highgate Hotels
1 个月Thank you for sharing such an amazing project and news. As a DI player here in U.S. , growing in up in a household where my mom played professional European handball I always wondered why U.S. does not have a handball team. Wow, changing history here! Can’t wait to see more. Let me know if you find your way to Arizona and need any help.