Northampton handball clubs merge with sights set on Europe

Team Northants Handball Academy and Northampton Handball Club have merged, bringing their players, coaches and teams together under one structure.

Team Northants, which was established less than a year ago, has already been named among five finalists for the England Handball Club of the Year Award.

It now has ambitions to compete in European club competition within the next three years.

The club has an amateur women’s team competing in the Women’s Premier League, alongside U19, U16, U14 and U12 teams, with a mini-handball project also planned for younger children.

Head coach Antonio Sousa said: “We are bringing together people who share the same passion for handball and the same ambition to develop handball in Northamptonshire.

“Our senior women are competing in the Women’s Premier League, but what is particularly important to us is that we are also building the next generation of players.”

Some U19 players are already involved in the England Handball Association Pathway programme and Team GB U17 set-up, while they can also gain experience with the senior women’s team.

The club now wants to expand its partnerships with Northamptonshire schools, building on an existing relationship with Northampton School for Girls.

Finding suitable facilities is another priority, with the club hoping eventually to secure a regular venue with spectator seating where its junior and senior teams can play.

It is also seeking sponsorship from local businesses to support further growth.

Antonio added: “We want Northamptonshire people to know that we are here.

“We want families to come and watch, children to come and play, and local businesses to become part of what we are building.”