By Haydn Cobb
An Olympic Handball star helped open a new Junior Handball club in Eastbourne which is run by a Brighton University student.
From the buzz of the Olympics, student Laurence Curtis has devoted his time and efforts into setting up the first Junior Handball team in the area. The club will run training sessions every Saturday afternoon at the Sports Park in Hampden Park, Eastbourne.
Mark Hawkins, who played handball for Team GB at London 2012, gave a speech and a coaching session to the new players. Mark spoke of his Olympic experience and how he hopes to create a new generation of British Handball players.
Mark said: “There was not a great deal going on around here before the Olympics for handball but we can try and get as many people as possible playing it will be good.”
Mark trained in Denmark with Team GB for the Olympics and is about to start a new season in Holland for a professional club.
His future desire is to come back to Britain and coach new players to raise the level of handball in this country to similar heights of other European powerhouses.
Mark explained: “There are not many players in Britain and even fewer coaches. Coaching education is needed. The emphasis is now being switched from elite level to grassroots in this country.”
If you are interested in getting involved in Handball as a coach or a player contact Laurence and the Brighton University Handball Club