Coventry handball club

How It All Began: September 2012

Coventry Handball Club was formed in the aftermath of the 2012 Summer Olympics by Paul Cross and Colin Littlewood. Neither person had any prior experience of the sport, but, united by a common passion for sport, began the first session with a small handful of total beginners. There had in fact previously been a handball club in existence with the same name, playing at the same venue in Coventry, but it had disbanded in 1983.

Contents

• How It All Began September 2012
• About the club
• Coventry Sharks Mens First Team
• Coventry Sharks Womens First Team
• References

About the club

The club had a very successful first year with two men’s teams and a ladies team boasting European-wide talent, competing in the top league in the Midlands as well as in their respective national cups. This success was recognised, with the club winning 'Newcomer of the Year' at the CSW Sports Awards 2013 and being one of only 2 clubs nominated for the BBC West Midlands Sports Awards, Best Newcomer.

Other successes in 2013 included commendable showings from the men in the 26th annual Liverpool international event and 3rd place for the Ladies at Bournemouth's national beach handball weekend.

Men’s and women’s first teams finished 2nd in their respective leagues, earning them the right to compete in the national play-offs. The men took this opportunity with both hands, defeating Manchester Uni 21—15 to earn themselves a place in the top national league, the Super8 for the 2014/15 season.

The men’s second team made their debut in Midlands League 1, finishing 5th, as well as finishing 3rd in the Southern League Cup.

As well as finishing 2nd in their league, the women also made it to the final of the EHA League Cup, where they faced London Angels in the 2013/2014 season .

In 2014/15, Coventry Academy was formed, opening up the sport to the next generation of handball players. In the same season the U16 girls entered the national competition and played their semi final in Wolverhampton, coming second, later being chosen to play in the finals. Overall, they came third, only being beaten by Olympia Cannock and Chester. In the same season, the women beat London Angels in the semi final of the EHA League Cup, after two periods of extra time. Following their victory, the club travelled to London Copper Box Arena on 16 May 2015, to support the Women's team in the final of the cup. Unfortunately, after one period of extra time the women were defeated by London GD, however had the offer to play in the European Cup, which they sadly had to decline. By the end of the 2014/2015 season, due to their amazing performance the team got promoted to the top English league, the Super 8, which the men had to sadly step down from in the same season.

In the current season (2015/2016) the Men's first team are successfully working towards promotion to the men's Super 8, as they are currently the only undefeated team in the Championship League, with 5 wins under their belt. They have also won their first cup game against the Oly Cats, with a final score of 33-21 before the Christmas break. The Women's first team have also had an incredible start to the season, with 6 out of 7 games being won, and only narrowly losing to London Angels by a last second goal. In the current season, the Men's second team have been joined by the creation of the Women's second team, who both show huge amounts of potential, which is mainly made up of junior players making the step up. Overall, all 4 teams have made exceptional starts to their seasons, with both first teams in 1st place of their leagues, the mens second team is also 1st place, and the women's 2nd team are placed 3rd in their league after one defeat, and playing less games.

Coventry Sharks Men's First Team

Originally known as Coventry Sharkbite HC, the handball Club's First Men's Team was named after the Primary Sponsor Sharkbite Plumbing Solutions, which later gave the entire club the name: Coventry Sharks. The team played its first competitive season in the 2013/14, cteamting in the Midlands regional league 1, the second Tier on the English Handball pyramid. The club finished 2nd and then won promotion to the EHA Super 8 through the national playoffs overcoming University Of Manchester 21-15 in London. The team later decided to step down from the Super 8 for the 2015/2016 season, following a vast amount of injuries in the previous season, and are now working towards promotion once again.

Coventry Sharks Women's First Team

The Team coached by Przemysław Bednarczyk played its first competitive season in the 2013/14, competing in the Midlands regional League, the second tier of the English Handball Pyramid. The Club Finished 2nd in the League and are going to compete in the playoffs for promotion to the Women's Super 8. The Women have also made it into the final of the National League cup which they will contest on 7 June. Following their phenomenal performance in the 2014/15 season the women have been promoted to the Super 8.