The Aussie women return for their sixth, consecutive IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship after qualifying way back in April 2023 at the Oceania Beach Handball Championships.

They secured their ticket by beating their neighbouring rivals in the final held on the Gold Coast’s Coolangatta Beach for the first time since the lifting of the then Covid-related travel restrictions.

Australia won all three of their group games 2-0 against New Zealand, Cook Islands and American Samoa to confirm the group title, before beating the Samoans again in the semi-final and then New Zealand in the final 2-0 (16:8, 20:8) to retain their title. 

The win also confirmed their ticket through to the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games which was set to be played the following August in Bali, Indonesia, but was later cancelled meaning the Australians have had very little international, competitive action since then.

Two national club competitions within the continent have provided vital, competitive action for the individual players and coaches with what was essentially a national team appearing at the 2024 New Zealand National Beach Championship in February and the 2024 Australian Beach Handball Club Championships in May providing further action and training opportunities for the squad.

At the 2022 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship in Greece, Australia lost all nine of their games, picking up just two sets in the process. 0-2 defeats against Netherlands, Argentina and Uruguay in the preliminary round saw them move into the consolation group stage where they lost 0-2 against Mexico and Hungary, in addition to a 1-2 loss against Vietnam.

The did not fare much better in the 9-16 placement round, losing 0-2 to Norway, 1-2 to the USA and 0-2 against Mexico in the 15/16 placement match to finish last.

A few weeks later, and with a much-changed squad due to the commitments of being away from work for so long, Australia lost all six of their games 0-2 at The World Games (vs Argentina, USA, Mexico, Germany, Norway and against Mexico again for 5/6 place).

Overseeing the Australian women since 2019 is former men’s national team player (2010-16) Andrew Kelso, having previously coached the men’s team (2017-19).

He will ably assisted by former players Jenny Karolius and Manon Vernay who look to work with a blend of experienced players and new talent as they prepare to face Portugal, Philippines and the host nation in their preliminary group.

Leading the experience is attacker Emma Guignard, who made her debut in 2012, along with Allira Hudson-Goffers. Goalkeeper Jemima Harbort first represented her country on the sand in 2014, while the remaining seven players made their debut at Greece 2022, The World Games 2022 or, in the case of Gemma Buckett, at that New Zealand tournament earlier this year.

But it is the beach handball world championship debut of Sally Potocki which will be watched with keenness. Having represented her country in the indoor game as far back as the 2013 IHF Women’s World Championship in Serbia, plus further appearances at the 2019 edition in Japan and Asian Championships before the left-back retired. 

However, in her own words, she “missed the sport” and is now looking to challenge herself on the sand after making her debut last year at the continental championships in Australia.

"The Australian women are pleased with our preliminary group and ready to continue our Beach Handball development journey at the upcoming world championships,” said Hudson-Gofers to ihf.info.

"Portugal will be tough competition. They are a very strong team, finishing fourth at the European Championship. We haven't had the opportunity to play the Philippines or China recently, but neither should be underestimated as they will no doubt bring the speed these teams are known for.

"We are currently training hard and looking forward to coming together as a team for our final preparation camp in early June, before putting on our best display in China.”

The team has been supported in their 2024 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship campaign financially through their Australian Sports Foundation Fundraising campaign.

Coach: Andrew Kelso

Key Players: Allira Hudson-Goffers, Sally Potocki, Jemima Harbort

Qualification information: 2024 OCHF Women’s Oceania Beach Handball Championship - Winners

History in Tournament: 2004-2010: DNQ, 2012: 8th, 2014: 12th, 2016: 8th, 2018: 16th, 2022: 16th

Group at China 2024: Group A: Portugal, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Australia