New handball club launched in Plymouth as sports lovers from across SW urged to sign up

A new handball club has been launched in the South West – with organisers inviting people from across the region to take up one of the UK’s fastest, most exciting sports.

Plymouth Handball Club has been set up and is looking for new members, with try-out sessions throughout the summer in a bid to recruit everyone from handball veterans to keen sportspeople.

The team behind the plan is made up of handball experts Jürgen Koenen and Santi Redondo.

Jürgen, aged 53, has been playing handball since the age of 14, and has coached for over 30 years.

After working as a high-level coach in Germany, Jürgen came to the UK, where he coached at Newquay Handball Club, and is a tutor and referee for England Handball Association, also teaching the sport in schools at GCSE level.

He has launched the club alongside Santi, 28, who has played the sport since the age of six. Santi was also a coach at CB Laguna in Spain for all ages between six and 18.

Together, they are hoping to recruit South West-based players from 16+ level right up to adults, in a bid to be playing in the English leagues over the coming years.

Jürgen said: “We started Newquay Handball Club in 2012 as the first ever handball team in Cornwall, but given the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, it would probably never fully recover without another strong club nearby.

“Launching this new handball club is about boosting the sport in the South West - with Plymouth the perfect location in this part of the world to attract talent from all over.

“We want to put handball in Plymouth back on the map and create a better presence for the sport here. We can’t wait to see what the region has to offer and look forward to welcoming people all over the summer.”

Stacey Andrews, National Partnerships Manager at England Handball, said: “It’s fantastic to see handball starting up again in Plymouth, and we urge players of all abilities to come forward and try out our amazing sport. “At England Handball, we’re always delighted to support new handball club activity, and we look forward to helping Jürgen and Santi with their exciting plans over the summer.”

The two-hour sessions will begin in June, running from 11am. They will take place at Plymouth University’s sports hall every fortnight throughout summer, on the following dates: