Youth development shines bright in Europe

Over the past 11 years, the International Handball Federation (IHF) has worked comprehensively to develop handball even at the youngest of ages, launching a training and education programme for physical education teachers and coaches in schools across all continents in 2011 called Handball at School.

The purpose of the programme is to make the game more accessible and enjoyable for children aged 5 to 17, with more than 100 workshops held throughout the world. However, young players who are passing through the youth and junior categories still need developing and can access other programmes throughout the world, irrespective of the country they live and play in.

Launched in 2019 by the European Handball Federation (EHF), the ‘Respect Your Talent’ programme promotes the holistic development of talented players’ careers, both on and off the handball court, with the young athletes inspired and mentored by some of Europe’s best handball players, supported by leading field experts.
 

“Having talent alone is not enough, they should take care of it not only as a handball player but also off the court which may help them to become better players and build a stronger personality with more self-confidence. Our idea is not to give them too many messages at the same time, but to impress them,” says Alenka Cuderman, EHF Women’s Handball Board and ‘Respect Your Talent’ Coordinator, to eurohandball.com.

Respect your Talent alumni shine at the IHF Women’s World Championship

Over the last three years, several workshops and camps have been organised throughout Europe during the major tournaments hosted by the EHF, including the M19 and E19 European Championships, but also at the Men’s and Women’s EHF EUROs.

Players who are playing at the EHF junior and youth events are selected to join the programme by either winning a Player of the Match award or being named in an All-star Team. Once selected, the players have the opportunity to participate in an activity day held during the respective events. 

“Talent only is not enough to succeed. Improving your off-court skills will help you build your personality, increase balance in your life and thereby become an even better player. “With Respect Your Talent, the EHF supports the idea of handball players as whole person-athletes. Looking at their impressive pathways, our ambassadors are perfect role models to convey this idea authentically,” says EHF Secretary General Martin Hausleitner.

In December 2021, players from 18 countries arrived in the Respect Your Talent camp in Vienna – during the IHF Women’s World Championship, which was held in Spain – to meet and learn from the mentors of the programme, Serbia centre back Andrea Lekic, former Germany line player Anja Althaus, Croatia goalkeeper Jelena Grubisic and Slovenia right back Ana Gros.

The 26 players also took a close look at what happened during Spain 2021, with three alumni from the Respect Your Talent class of 2019 lighting up the competition. Spain back Paula Arcos became the X-Factor for ‘Las Guerreras’ during the knockout phase of the competition, centre back Larissa Nusser was one of the top providers of assists in the competition for the Netherlands, while back Elena Mikhaylichenko, back after a tough knee injury, was instrumental for RHF during the competition.

Another Respect Your Talent camp, this time for the men’s emerging talents was held in Budapest, between 20 and 22 January 2022, during the EHF EURO 2022, where Sweden won their fifth gold medal, after a hard-fought final with Spain, 27:26.

Big names of the game such as Carlos Prieto, Laszlo Nagy, Vid Kavticnik and Stefan Lövgren supported the players both on and off the court, holding a set of interactive training sessions, covering the topics of dual career, mental fitness, media, anti-doping and sports law.

The success of the programme was palpable, as seven alumni – Radojica Cepic (Montenegro), Tomas Smetanka (Slovakia), Marko Mitev (North Macedonia), Ihar Bialiauski and Kyril Samoila (Belarus), Niko Blaauw (Netherlands) and Felix Möller (Sweden) – all played in the EHF EURO 2022.

Last summer, more than 500 players — including over 200 male athletes — have joined the project, adding to the 200 plus who were part of the first women’s iteration.

“The ambassadors are perfect role models to inspire you as young players, and when you return home you should in turn become a role model for your peers,” concludes Hausleitner.

Respect your Talent camp photos: Jure Erzen / kolektiff