Country: Australia

Coach: Philipp Enders

Qualification information: Winners of 2016 Oceania Club Handball Championship

History in Tournament: 1997-2010: Oceania not yet allocated Super Globe slot, 2011: 8th, 2013: 8th, 2014: 8th, 2015: 4th 

Overview:

Sydney University Handball Club became a recognisable name in the world of handball when they recorded the first ever win for a team from Oceania at the 2015 IHF Super Globe, defeating Qatari side Al Sadd in the opening quarter-final stage. The Australian side have won five consecutive national and Oceania titles, thereby qualifying for five Super Globes since 2011. This year will be the squad’s fifth Super Globe campaign, and they will enter hoping to repeat their performance in the opening match one year ago. 

One of the biggest challenges for Sydney Uni in repeating their performance from 2015 is the high turnover rate in the team, which is due to the fact that many players are temporary visitors to Australia or students temporarily studying in Sydney:

“The quality of the squad however is good – new players being integrated as well as more players arriving during June and July,” said coach Phillip Enders ahead of their successful Oceania Club Championship campaign. “It is difficult to compare the quality of this year's squad with last year's Super Globe squad as we are at a different cycle of the year, but there is a lot of talent in this group.” 

Team manager Pascal Winkler knows there is more pressure on the squad this year following their results in 2015. 

“In 2016 it will be about defending this place [fourth place in 2015], as the notably only amateur team in the tournament. Sydney Uni will again display the fighting spirit they are known for, and coach Philipp Enders is confident that he has the best squad he's ever had.”

The success in 2015 opened a number of doors for the amateur club, who are helping to lift the profile of handball in a nation where it is considered a minority sport. 

“Sydney Uni is proud to be representing Australian and Oceania handball on the world stage. The club is striving to help grow and develop the sport in the region, and is a driving force behind the new, and first ever, national league in Australia which has just launched,” said Winkler, after the first Handball League Australia games were played immediately prior to the Super Globe. 

“Through its participation in previous Super Globe editions, Sydney Uni has managed to significantly lift the profile of handball in the sport loving country of Australia, and continues to attract young ambitious players from all over the world who come to Sydney to study and form a strong team together with Australia’s most talented players. We hope to continue on this path in collaborating with the handball nations in the Oceania region, clubs and federations in the Middle East and East Asia, European clubs and federations.” 

Sydney Uni’s 2016 campaign will begin exactly as it did in 2015 – against Qatar club Al Sadd, who will undoubtedly be ready for an exciting game to avenge last year’s result when they take to the court on September 5. 

Sydney Uni Handball welcome fans to follow them on their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Schedule at the 2016 IHF Super Globe:  

5 September 2016, Duhail Sports Hall

Quarter-final: Al Sadd vs Sydney University Handball Club 20:00 local time