The Scottish Handball Association (SHA) has joined forces with Oriam, Scotland's Sports Performance Centre, based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, to launch the pioneering ‘Heriot-Watt University Handball Scholarship Programme’.

The aim of the programme is to attract handball players from around the world who can help boost Scotland’s status in the sport, according to a media release with applications now open for the next academic year, 2025/26.

Application criteria varies, but for successful applicants, a variety of support is on offer, with the sporting side seeing scholars having access to specific technical training in handball, strength and conditioning sessions with the Oriam sports science team, weekly access to hydro pools for recovery, sports psychology support and access to physiotherapy.

The academic side will also be in focus with a dedicated ‘Lifestyle and Advocacy Co-Ordinator’ available to support athletes with any potential clashes between academic and sporting commitments.

The scholarship is an expansion of Oriam’s existing Sports Scholarship programmes, which help athletes to study at the same time as competing in high-level sport.

“This is an exciting expansion of our Sport Scholarship programmes that also deepens our partnership with the Scottish Handball Association,” said Ross Campbell, Executive Director of Oriam.

“This allows us to work together to support handball athletes, not only from Scotland, but from across the world. The key aim of our scholarships is to help athletes perform both academically and in their chosen sport through access to our world class facilities and Oriam’s performance staff. All of these factors make this programme an exciting opportunity for athletes to be a part of.”

Oriam has a long history with handball, having partnered with the SHA since the venue opened in 2016. It is one of only a few venues in Scotland with a full-sized, 40 by 20 metre indoor court for handball, with the SHA hosting major events there including the Scottish Cup and British Handball Super Cup finals.

Handball has become one of Scotland’s fastest growing team sports, with the country seeing a 500% jump in participation in the sport over the last two to three years, according to the SHA.

“We're seeing very strong growth in handball at a grassroots level in Scotland and for the last couple of years, we’ve been focusing on developing pathways from there through into the higher levels of the sport. This scholarship programme is the next natural step on that journey and builds on our long relationship with Oriam,” explained Ewan Hunter, Chief Executive of Scottish Handball.

“Handball will continue to be an amateur sport in Scotland for the foreseeable future, but we want to embrace that – and our hopes for this scholarship are really clear.

“We are looking for players who will add quality and value to the handball community here in Scotland and we hope the programme cements the pathway for the development of handball at all levels. That means primary school, secondary school, community club, full club and age group level,” he added.

“We recognise that 99.9% of people who play sport in Scotland will not end up earning a living from the sport they play. But with this scholarship, you can still continue your development and growth as a handball player – without having to put your career or academic aspirations to one side.”

For further information, and to apply, visit here.