8 March marks International Women's Day (IWD), a global day to celebrate women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements worldwide. The day is also a call to action for equality, which is in line with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  

The International Women's Day 2024 campaign theme is ”Inspire Inclusion”, a motto which the International Handball Federation (IHF) adheres to, as when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

To have a better grasp of how to help women grow even further in the sport of handball, ihf.info talked to Monique Tijsterman, one of the women who are leading a national team, after Tijsterman took over the coaching position for Austria this February, after having previously lent a hand to build the Netherlands’ golden generation, which won the title at the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship.

“We definitely need more women to coach teams. I think it is very important, because women know women, especially former players. They know how everything works, their body, their minds, they knew what they did to play at the highest level, so they can share that experience and teach other players,” says Tijsterman.

Herself a former player, Tijsterman got injured when she was only 21 years old and it was passion, a bit of luck and a helping hand which got her into coaching. Some decades later, she argues that this was the best decision she ever made.

“When I first got the chance to have a coaching role, an internship, basically, I thought I need to go rehab my injury and then get back to play. But I found it interesting, I found it quite special, to be honest. So I slotted in and then everything has flown from that moment on, it has been really a nice journey,” adds the coach of Austria women’s national team.

In fact, Tijsterman has worked nearly three decades for the Dutch Handball Federation, from an assistant coach for the national team in the 1990s, to the head coach at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship, replacing the outgoing Emmanuel Mayonnade, as well as  for the Dutch Handball Federation – most recently as event coordinator and for the talent programme.

“I have worked with a lot of amazing women, therefore I speak from experience when I say that we need more women in coaching roles. Like I have said before, the knowledge is unparalleled and I think the interest is even higher and higher. I have also seen more women taking up coaching courses and applying for coaching licences, which is a big improvement,” says Tijsterman.

As a lecturer for the Commission of Coaching and Methods of the International Handball Federation, Tijsterman has worked tirelessly for that and has led various coaching courses throughout the world, which left her the impression that handball is on the right path in creating more opportunities for women.
“I was, for example, in Sierra Leone for a coaching course and I was impressed by how many girls and women were interested in handball. And that can only make me happy and see that the desire is bigger and bigger and not only in Europe, but also throughout the world,” adds Tijsterman.

At the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship, Tijsterman was one of the four women coaches leading their national teams in the competition. Two years later, Bojana Popovic led Montenegro and Marizza Faria led Paraguay at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, but more and more women’s coaches are coming to the fore, with Tijsterman also eyeing a comeback at the world handball flagship with Austria in 2025.

“The trend is there, from what I have seen, and I am very happy to see that everybody realises that women can also be good coaches. The fact is that many players, after they retire, do not know where to head to, need something new in their life. Of course, many want to start a family, and a coach’s life will always be difficult, because there are plenty of matches and a lot of traveling,” says Tijsterman.

“However, for the ones which want to take up coaching, I think starting at the youth level is crucial, because they can see if they like it and if they want to follow up on this career. Then, the step towards the senior handball can be made.”

Of course, Tijsterman has plenty of experience, having started in her local club, HV Aalsmeer, and then growing up the ranks. She has also led the Limburg Lions, a team where current Dutch star, Luc Steins, made his first steps in handball.

But now, her only focus is to deliver the best possible performances for Austria women’s national team, a challenge which she took in January, after the long-withstanding coach of the European side, Herbert Müller, left the team after 19 years.

“When I first got approached by Austria’s Federation to see whom I could recommend, I did not think of myself first. But then, a thought was going through my mind… What if? And then I talked to them and after two meetings, here I am, leading another national team, my first foreign team in my career,” says Tijsterman.

The first two matches were in the EHF EURO Cup against Norway, two big losses against the runners-up at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship and the European champions. But now, Tijsterman has time to mould the team her way.

“There is a system in place, it is not the same like in the Netherlands, but it is a system. We will co-host the European Championship in December, so that will be a big challenge, but I think we have the ingredients to create something special,” says Tijsterman, who has a contract running with Austria which could see her lead the team for another edition of the IHF Women’s World Championship, in 2025, when the competition will take place in Germany and the Netherlands.

Photo Credit: RFEBM / Á. Bermejo