Handball West made a appearance in the Community Newspaper after a journalist attended a training session at UWA.

 

 

Did you watch handball on TV during the Olympics and thought it would be fun to give a go? Well here is your chance.The beach version of handball is hitting Perth this summer with two events at Scarborough Beach.The hands-only sport of beach handball is played with four players a side. A six metre line around the soccer-like goals is the line of defence and attack inside which only the goal keeper has access. It shares rules with basketball but the ball is smaller and some physical contact is allowed. Extra points are awarded for creative goals at the referee's discretion making it a great sport to watch.Handball West Spokesperson Rikke Petersen said anyone keen to have a go is welcome at the events. No experience was necessary.'Last year's events resulted in a record number of players. We are hoping to see an even bigger turn out this year,' she said.Events will be held at Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre on November 22 and January 26 from 8.30am to 12.30pm.Players can register by calling Anthony on 0439 949 917 or Rikke on 0412 177 657.

 

The events are free for spectators but player registration is $5 per event.

 

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Rikkie Petersen was the most recent West Australian to represent the country in the sport when she toured with the 1997 and 1998 National teams.

 

Jerkov was selected for the squad after his participation at a recent training camp and his performance at the national championships where WA finished fifth, claiming its one win against wooden-spooners South Australia. The 38-year-old Melville resident said he was looking forward to the tournament and hoped his selection would raise the sports profile in the State.

 

"This is a great opportunity for me and for Western Australia," Mr Jerkov said. "Western Australia needs to show that we can also play a serious role in this sport."

 

Australia qualified for the world championships after winning the Oceania zonal tournament in New Zealand in April this year. The team has been drawn in Group A and will face France, Slovakia, Romania, Argentina and either Hungary or Bosnia Herzegovina - with the latter yet to be finalised.

 

The Australian side will now head to New Caledonia to take part in the Clubs Champions of Oceania competition in early November, before launching its world championships campaign from January 17-22.