The Australian men’s and women’s beach handball teams have won their respective competitions at the Oceania Beach Handball Championships and with it, qualified directly to the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships set to take place in Zagreb, Croatia in June.

The three-day (6 to 8 February) continental event took place on the Pioneer sand courts, at the Pioneer Stadium complex in Christchurch, New Zealand and featured four nations in each competition: Cook Islands (COK), Kiribati (KIR), Australia (AUS) and hosts New Zealand (NZL).

Seventh heaven for Australian men

After losing their preliminary group game against fierce rivals New Zealand 2-0 (19:16, 25:20), Australia came into day two with just one win to their name, against Cook Islands (2-0, 32:8, 20:13).

A dominant 2-0 (30:9, 33:4) win over Kiribati on day two ensured a rematch against the Kiwis in the gold medal match and they ensured they sent the host nation fans home heartbroken as a tough final ended 2-0 (24:22, 21:20) in the Aussie’s favour.

The second set had gone to a golden goal period after both sides missed attacks in the last 20 seconds of regulation time. After winning the restart in additional time, Christopher Pinder eventually found himself in space on the left wing and sunk home the single point to spark jubilant scenes from the Australians who confirmed their seventh appearance on the global stage after missing just one edition since their debut (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024, 2026). 

The Cook Islands ensured a medal with a 2-0 (30:12, 29:14) victory over Kiribati in the bronze medal match.

 

Aussie women overcome scare to power back to continental glory

Australia’s women qualified for their seventh, successive world championship appearance after their debut in 2012 (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2026), thanks to a 2-0 (14:8, 20:8) victory over the Cook Islands in the final.

The result came after the Aussies had suffered a shock 2-1 (14:21, 16:14, SO 5:4) loss to the same side in the preliminary group, sandwiched in-between two 2-0 wins against New Zealand (18:10, 18:16) and Kiribati (26:2, 32:1). New Zealand took bronze with victory over Kiribati.

“It’s special and something we don’t take lightly,” said Australia women’s head coach Andrew Kelso to ihf.info. “Winning Oceania again is a reflection of a lot of unseen work over a long period; from athletes, staff, and the broader beach handball community in Australia. We’re proud of the result, but just as proud of how the group went about it: with humility, connection, and a real commitment to our team values and culture.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances we went into day 1 with only six players and this required a strategic approach focused on fast-breaks to greatly minimise the running required and limit overall fatigue. I’m very proud of how we executed this game plan setting up an important 2-0 victory against New Zealand in the preliminary stage.

“The biggest overall factor [in our victory] was decision-making under pressure. Beach handball rewards teams who can read the game, adapt quickly, and stay composed, an area where this group has grown enormously. Defensively, our cohesion and communication set the platform, and offensively we trusted our systems rather than forcing moments. Just as importantly, the group showed maturity in managing momentum and adversity across the tournament.”

And Kelso was quick to praise the continued development of the sport in the continent.

 

“The standard across Oceania continues to rise, and that was clear throughout the tournament,” explained the long-term coach. “New Zealand, whilst a young team, were well-organised and their commitment to growing youth beach handball will see them become a powerful force very soon, the Cook Islands showed amazing improvement and commitment to the beach game - it has been incredible to see their progress.

“These teams are pushing each other forward, and that competitive environment is essential – incredibly important – for the long-term growth of the region.

“Expanding the championship [with Kiribati] and having more competitive teams creates meaningful pathways for athletes and federations across Oceania,” he added. “It raises standards, increases exposure, and strengthens the region’s relevance globally. For Australia, it means we’re constantly being challenged. That’s exactly what you want if you’re serious about performing on the world stage.”

For Australia, that world stage is once again a reality, with the 2026 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship just four months away.

“Qualification for the world championship is a significant achievement, but it’s also just the starting point. Zagreb will present a very different level of challenge, and our focus will be on improving our standing achieved at the 2024 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship in China. We want to test ourselves against the best, continue to close performance gaps, and represent Oceania in a way that reflects the progress being made in the region,” he explained. 

“The next phase is about refinement rather than reinvention. We’ll focus on physical preparation, tactical clarity, and critically building depth within the squad. Just as importantly, we’ll keep investing in our culture because at major tournaments, connection and trust often make the difference. Our goal is to arrive in Zagreb prepared, confident, and ready to embrace the challenge.”

Cook Islands continue development and shock Australia

With Australia repeating their 2023 double continental victory again it may not be surprising to see their names once again on the world championship qualified teams list, but that does not tell the whole story.

The dominant continental force were served an unexpected defeat against the rapidly-developing Cook Islands, losing 2-1 (14:21, 16:14, SO 5:4) in the preliminary group stage and being made to work in the final against the same team.

“After a close loss to New Zealand on day one we knew we had to leave it all out on the sand on day two against Kiribati and Australia,” said Cook Islands captain Richelle Gempton to ihf.info about their historic victory.

“The key was our teamwork, trusting in each other, and putting our trust in God. We found the Joy in the game and within our team to make those crucial wins that put us into the final in what was an historic moment for Cook Islands Beach Handball.

“In the final Australia were very tough; skilled, experienced and consistent. It was a hard game and of course disappointing to just miss out on World Championship qualification, but it’s motivating to know that we made it this far, and definitely made waves. It gives us even more drive to push for 2028.

“Making the final means a lot for us,” she added. “It shows the growth of beach handball and our women’s programme in the Cook Islands, and the hard work the players, coaches and executive team have put in.”

And teammate Maureen Katoa agreed. “Australia were very tough and experienced opponents who challenged us in every area,” she said. “While it is disappointing to miss out on World Championship qualification, this performance showed us that we belong at this level. It strengthens our belief and gives us even more motivation to continue pushing towards qualification.”

“The women’s team is in a really positive place,” said Gempton. “We have a good mix of experience, new and young talent coming through, and we’re excited about where this team and the future of Cook Islands beach handball can go.

“We’re proud to come away with silver and to represent the Cook Islands at this level and I’m proud of both our teams and the way they carried themselves on and off the court combined with the achievements and learning we have acquired. Having some of our athletes also receive special awards was such a proud moment for our country.”

Championship best recognised

As part of the closing ceremony, awards were given for the best goalkeeper, best defender, top scorer and most valuable player (MVP) in each competition.

Oceania’s Best – Women
Goalkeeper: Jemima Harbort (AUS)
Defender: Rowan Moloughney (NZL)
Top Scorer: Haylee Wilson (AUS)
MVP: Shannon Van Eijk (COK)

Oceania’s Best – Men
Goalkeeper: Thomas Gerstch (AUS)
Defender: Daniel Fogerty (AUS)
Top Scorer: Eli Topui (COK)
MVP: Paul Ireland (NZL)

As part of the continued support from the IHF, Romanian referee couple Daniela Andreea Enache and Corina Floriana Răduț whistled at the event, alongside the Cook Islands pair of Romeo Vaine Keu and Christian Goodwin and New Zealand couple Katherine Denys and Jeremy Clark.

More information on the event and videos of all games can be found here:

2026 OCHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball Championships

Final Ranking

Men’s competition
1 AUS*
2 NZL
3 COK
4 KIR

Women's Competition
1 AUS*
2 COK
3 NZL
4 KIR

*Qualified for the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships

Results

Men's Competition
Preliminary Group Stage

COK vs AUS 0-2 (8:32, 13:20)
NZL vs AUS 2-0 (19:16, 25:20)
COK vs NZL 0-2 (22:24, 14:27)
KIR vs AUS 0-2 (9:30, 4:33)
KIR vs NZL 0-2 (3:32, 9:31)
KIR vs COK 0-2 (10:37, 5:30)

Bronze Medal Match
COK vs KIR 2-0 (30:12, 29:14)

Gold Medal Match
NZL vs AUS 0-2 (22:24, 20:21)

Women's Competition
Preliminary Group Stage

COK vs NZL 1-2 (12:10, 6:8, SO 8:10)
NZL vs AUS 0-2 (10:18, 16:18)
COK vs AUS 2-1 (14:21, 16:14, SO 5:4)
KIR vs NZL 0-2 (7:16, 4:28)
KIR vs COK 0-2 (3:25, 7:27)
KIR vs AUS 0-2 (2:26, 1:32)

Bronze Medal Match
NZL vs KIR 2-0 (18:1, 20:6)

Gold Medal Match
AUS vs COK 2-0 (14:8, 20:8)

Credit photo: New Zealand Handball Federation / Aaron Bell