It is with profound sadness and immense shock that the IHF has learnt of the passing of Australia’s men’s national beach handball team head coach Patrik Weiss at the age of just 45.

Weiss moved to Australia from Germany in 2003 and quickly became involved with the sport, later becoming head coach of the men’s national beach handball team in 2013.

Throughout this period the team have won multiple Oceania Championships, including the most recent, held last April, which saw his side qualify through to the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games which will take place in August.

Qualification was also secured multiple times for IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championships as well as The World Games and 2019 ANOC World Beach Games, making the Australian side the most successful men’s team on the continent.

In addition to his work in handball, Weiss worked as a sports physiotherapist, including a role with the West Coast Eagles AFL (Australian Rules Football) team as their Soft Tissue Therapist. 

“The Australia Handball community is mourning the loss of Patrik Weiss and our thoughts and prayers at this time of grief are with his two children, parents and loved ones,” said Handball Australia in a statement. 

“This tragic news has shocked our community given Patrik’s key role as coach of our National Men’s Beach Handball Team where he was currently preparing them for the 2nd ANOC World Beach Games in August in Bali, as Oceania Champions.

“Patrik took a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction in developing the sport of Beach Handball, the growth of the players and building a positive team culture. For this Handball Australia is, and will remain, extremely grateful to Patrik. 

“He will be sadly missed but remembered with affection and respect. At this time we ask that his family be afforded privacy as they deal with their tragic loss. He will be very missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

On behalf of the entire global IHF handball family, IHF President Dr Moustafa would like to express his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Patrik Weiss and all of those who worked alongside him.