South Ayrshire Council News

Pictured at the launch of the Handball initiative at Struthers Primary School are the young players

An exciting new partnership has been forged with the Scottish Handball Association and South Ayrshire Council’s Active Schools programme, to introduce the sport of Handball to primary school children. The initiative was launched at Struthers Primary School in Troon.

Handball is an indoor team sport that is a mixture of high speed action, gymnastic agility, sleight of hand and tremendous power with spectacular shots on goal. It is an Olympic sport that combines elements of basketball, water polo, football and rugby.

With the support and coaching expertise of the current Scottish International Handball Coach, Jose Benavides, the Active Schools team are currently rolling out a Handball after school programme within the Marr schools cluster. Over the next two years the aim is to extend the programme to every Council primary school in South Ayrshire.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of the Council and Portfolio Carrier for Community Services said: “I am very excited about this initiative that is introducing young children to a new and exciting sport that I think will appeal to many.

“It is very important that we encourage children to take regular exercise and that they find a sport that they really enjoy taking part in. If we can get young people to get into the habit of regular exercise, and develop the exercise habit for life, it will help to combat the rising levels of inactivity and obesity that we often hear about.”

Some of the children from Struthers Primary School gave an energetic display of Handball at the launch so that Councillor Toner, other Councillors, Officers and invited guests could see the sport in action.

Stephen Neilson, Chairman of the Scottish Handball Association said: "The Scottish Handball Association are delighted to be working in close co-operation with Active Schools in South Ayrshire to introduce Handball in the area through a series of after school clubs. This will initially start in the Troon area before moving to other areas. We hope to use this as a platform to establish junior clubs and competitions. This provides an excellent opportunity for children to have a chance to try an Olympic sport that will feature British teams in 2012."