Handball is currently going through an impressive revival in County Antrim and Nationwide with schools like Edmund Rice College, and most recently Hazelwood Integrated College, having their handball facilities fully refurbished and new facilities constructed. Our shiny bright, newly updated courts were host to Ulster's Handball Elite for their Inaugural 3 wall tournament in Summer 2021 - there's a great video of this successful and competitive weekend of Handball below.

As a school we have recently seen a fantastic uptake in the sport among our students - many choosing to play before school and during their break and lunchtime. We hosted an Ulster GAA juvenile handball tournament in October 2021 where our Year 11 boys, many of whom had never played any GAA sports before, battled hard against strong opposition - narrowly missing a place in the Ulster Finals. The same Year 11 boys take centre court to practice during Senior Lunch almost every day so they can develop their skills and tecnhiques - commitment and preparation for their next competition. We have a great interest among our girls too, some of whom attend on a Tuesday night for Naomh Éanna Handball club. It is clear the students of ERC have "caught the handball bug". There is a real buzz around our handball courts Monday to Friday, week on week.

The handball obsession at ERC also includes the staff, with teachers such as Mr Graham, Mr Dowds, Miss Deery and Miss McCann as well as several of our classroom assistants regularly meeting after school for handball practice and craic. Miss Deery, who hit her first handball in May 2021, has taken part in 3 beginners tournament days since - winning a doubles tournament, coming 3rd in a singles 40x20 tournament and making it to the semi-final of a singles 1-wall tournament. An example of what is possible as a newcomer in this great sport. As part of community development and outreach, Miss Deery will be organising our own ERC beginners tournament here in Spring/Summer 2022 as part of our fundraising initiative for ALPS and mental health/suicide prevention this year. Watch out on social media for more details next term!

Handball is a fantasic (and very addictive) sport; one that encourages fine and motor skills development as well as concentration levels and social interaction/communication. It offers a total body workout; a real test of agility, flexibilty and fitness levels. It is the perfect recreational game and provides opportunities for physical exercise and social interaction for school students - of all ages and abilities.

It is great to see the revival of this sport, and the post-Covid return of tournaments such as the She's Ace Handball tournament - which celebrates Women in Handball, and so we thought we'd pay tribute to this event as part of International Women's Day for our online event. Expertly run by GAA Handball Ireland in County Tyrone in January 2022, it was a huge success and participated by girls and women of all ages and abilities from right across the 32 counties. We have showcased tournament reports, pictures and videos of this brilliant event below, including a write up on the Female Handball Elite - with ladies such as Catriona Casey, Megan McCann, Fiona Tully and Eilise McCrory exhibiting impressive skill and talent. Great role models for the future generation of female handballers - some in the 11 and Under category were already showing great promise at the tournament! Current world champion Martina McMahon made the trip up from Limerick to support the event and cheer on all of the ladies. It was an extra special event and should be celebrated accordingly as part of today's celebration of Women.

Please do check out the content below. Browse through the images/videos to get a feel for Handball and get in touch with us if you'd like to find out more about how to get involved!