The United States of America enter the global Wheelchair Handball family at Egypt 2024 and find themselves in preliminary group A alongside fellow debutants France and Japan, plus title-holders Brazil.

After submitting a comprehensive request to the IHF expressing interest in participating at Egypt 2024 last April, the USA subsequently received a wild card invitation from the IHF Council to participate.
 
“We are thrilled to launch the Wheelchair Handball programme as a cornerstone in our mission to make Handball accessible to everyone,” said Martin Branick, USA Team Handball’s CEO, at the time.

“I also want to express our gratitude to the IHF for their belief in this programme and for their support as we embark on this journey. Our efforts extend beyond this initiative and I am confident that the Wheelchair Handball programme and its athletes will inspire many.”

USA coach Ford Dyke initially named a wide-ranging provisional squad featuring Najee Smothers, who has just turned 17 years old, plus 56-year-old Larry Furnace – reflecting the depth of interest in the new discipline, before cutting the team down to the required 10 this month, with Furnace on reserve and Smothers making the final squad.

“I am proud of the athletes selected for the final roster of the USA Team Handball Wheelchair National Team – each athlete has demonstrated exemplary skill, dedication, and teamwork throughout the selection process," said Dyke after the selection process.

"Competing at the 3rd IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship is a significant milestone, and I am confident that our delegation will represent Team USA with pride and excellence. Our journey reflects the hard work and perseverance of every athlete, staff member, and supporter, and I readily await our performance on the world stage.”

Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games legacy and Olympic influence

Smothers is one of three athletes from the US state of Georgia, along with Samuel Armas and Elizabeth Pentecost, who are part of the nonprofit organisation, BlazeSports America, founded as a legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.

“We are ecstatic about Liz, Sam and Najee making the USA Team Handball Wheelchair National Team. All of us in the BlazeSports family look forward to watching them take their game to the international stage,” said Dawn Churi, Executive Director of BlazeSports.

“Our mission at Blaze has always been to expand the world of adaptive sports for our athletes and we are thrilled that USA Team Handball is doing just that with this inaugural team.”

Coach Dyke is very familiar with both Handball and Wheelchair-based and adaptive sports having previously had a seven-year career as an athlete with the USA Team Handball men’s team and currently Associate Clinical Professor and Director of Mindfulness@Auburn in the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University.

The same university was where he began his journey in adapted athletics in 2012 as Strength and Conditioning Coach for their Wheelchair Basketball programme and those links at the university have been useful in Wheelchair Handball too as once the USA announced their intentions to form a team it has been the base of operations essentially, with the first-ever try-outs held over three days in early July.

To get as many possible candidates involved, Dyke sent well over 200 emails through his network to teams, coaches, team leaders and organisations, eventually resulting in 18 athletes from 10 different US states in attendance and assessed over seven sessions. A few days later 14 of the 18 athletes received invitations to join the team and the rest is history.

“I am grateful for the unwavering support from Auburn University,” added Dyke, who like the rest of his coaching staff is volunteering for the entire world championship period.

“Our university’s commitment to adapted athletics has been a cornerstone of my journey, and it’s a privilege to bring that legacy to the international stage. Our initiative represents more than just assembling a team; it’s a collaborative effort to foster growth and opportunity for adapted athletes.

“We are incredibly excited about Egypt 2024,” he added to ihf.info. “This event represents a significant opportunity to showcase the skills and hard work that our team has put into preparing for the tournament.

“We are looking forward to the competition, the chance to engage with teams from around the world, and to elevate the profile of wheelchair handball on a global stage. The atmosphere, the level of play, and the unique cultural experience of competing in Egypt are all aspects that we are eagerly anticipating. I believe this tournament can help us achieve greater visibility for our sport, build momentum for wheelchair handball in our country, and foster stronger international relations within the handball community.

“Our team is a strong and cohesive unit, composed of both experienced players and rising talents who bring energy and fresh perspectives,” he continued. “Each individual brings something unique to the table, whether it's leadership, technical skill, or a relentless competitive spirit. 

“The experience within our team provides a solid foundation, while the younger players add dynamism and enthusiasm. The camaraderie and spirit within the squad are exceptional, and we feel confident in our collective ability to rise to the occasion.”

Dyke is joined by assistant coach – and fellow Auburn staff member – Reita Clanton, who represented the first-ever USA women’s Handball team at an Olympic Games (Los Angeles 1984), plus two IHF Women’s World Championships and who also coached at Atlanta 1996.

"I am so honoured and inspired to serve on the coaching staff for the US Wheelchair Handball National Team,” added Clanton, to the Auburn University website.

“As an Olympian in Handball, I am so excited for adapted athletes to have the opportunity to play this awesome sport. While the adapted athletics space continues to grow in our country, I'm thrilled that wheelchair handball will be a part of that movement of lowering barriers and providing opportunity.

Helping out Dyke and Clanton are two current USA women’s team players – and Auburn alumni. Assistant coach, and head of delegation, Sarah Gascon, who has captained and played for the women’s national team since 2005, racking up over 100 appearances and chief of staff, and fellow USA women’s team player, Jence Rhoads.

“We all feel a great sense of excitement and anticipation for Egypt 2024,” said Gascon to ihf.info. “Competing in this event is not only a chance to test our skills against some of the best teams in the world but also an opportunity to further the growth and recognition of Wheelchair Handball.

“The preliminary group presents a challenging set of matches, with each team bringing its own unique style and level of competition. The games will undoubtedly be tough, but that is what makes this competition exciting and meaningful. Facing strong opponents is always a test of our preparation and adaptability. Our focus will be on executing our game plan, making the most of our team's strengths, and learning from each match to improve as we progress through the tournament.

“Our staff is particularly looking forward to showcasing the resilience, strength, and strategic play of our team,” she added. “The team is in a great place right now, both in terms of skill and spirit. We have a blend of experienced players who bring a wealth of knowledge and young talent that adds energy and a fresh perspective.

“Every player has a crucial role, and we have developed a deep sense of trust and collaboration. The veterans on the team are excellent leaders, providing guidance and stability, while the younger players have shown tremendous growth and adaptability. The overall feeling in the team is one of optimism and determination. We are united in our goal to perform our best and make our country proud.

“We believe we can achieve a lot, including raising awareness for our sport, inspiring others to take up Wheelchair Handball and potentially bringing home a medal.”

Coach: Ford DYKE

Previous appearances: 2022 (4-a-side): DNQ, 2022 (6-a-side): DNQ

Preliminary Group at Egypt 2024: Group A – Brazil, France, Japan, United States of America