Warwick Handball Club: Friends to family

Wait, the University of Warwick has a handball team? Yes – a fully functioning Men’s 1st and 2nd team, a Women’s team, a full exec, and a small but close-knit community. After reading this, I can only hope to convince you that handball is the hidden sporting obsession you didn’t know you were missing.

So, what actually is handball? You may have seen it in the Olympics or stumbled across flashy spin shots on YouTube. In a nutshell, it is the hybrid child of basketball, football, rugby, and netball. With the fast-paced game style of basketball, the skill and finesse of football, the physicality of rugby, and the technicality of netball, handball sounds like – and genuinely is – a sport you didn’t think you needed until now.

After just one introductory session, I fell in love [with handball]

For me, the obsession started in October 2023, when my flatmate introduced me to Warwick Handball Club and the sport itself. After just one introductory session, I fell in love. Even though I was clueless as to how to play, a sport which combines running, dashing side to side, and throwing a ball as hard as you can into a net sounded really enticing.

Turns out I was right, and from there on, week after week, month after month, I was in the Sports Hub learning the basics and applying them in games. After my first friendly match against Birmingham, having only scored one goal, it gave me the rush and hunger to get better so I could look less stupid falling over my own feet constantly. With the help of the squad, I entered my next tournament at the end of the year, scoring five goals, which was quite the improvement for someone who had only played for half a year. At this point, my love was cemented, and I knew this was a sport I would continue until I graduated two years later.

No matter how badly I felt I performed, the club was always there to support me

Now, as a sports club, we cannot ignore what this is all for: BUCS. Warwick Handball has had a rocky road in BUCS matches, with some ending in a clean sweep for the club, and some the very opposite. However, what makes us stand out is our ability to capitalise on our losses and create noticeable improvement, even mid-season. If, just like me, you are at first scared to perform and dread looking ridiculous, this society might be what you are looking for. Our trainings are judgement free and friendly for all abilities. Every single one of us was in your position at one point, and a key lesson I learnt, which made me feel a lot better, was that no matter how badly I felt I performed, the club was always there to support me. Due to Warwick Handball’s family-type community, everyone made time to make sure I was heard and helped.

Now for anyone reading this who may be feeling cautious, especially when I said that handball has the physicality of rugby, do not fret! Sure, it has a physical edge to it, however, as much as you get grabbed and pushed, you can do the exact same back to others. Now how fun does that sound?

Being a sports society, building chemistry on the court is at the heart of what we do. But you may be asking, what about off the court? Warwick Handball is no stranger to wacky circles, bar crawls, and pub trips. If you feel that’s not your vibe, don’t stress; we have frequent sober socials such as bowling, trips to get food, and card game nights. Everyone is welcome, whether you are our top goal scorer or if you only joined the week before. We always try to find something for everyone.

You will be welcomed with open arms at every training, tournament, and social

Throughout my three-year journey at Warwick Handball Club, I have gone from a shy, uncoordinated player to, now, in my final year at Warwick, being able to coach others and becoming one of the more experienced players. If I could do it, trust me, you can do the same and even better.

The main selling point I would promote to others is the people. Whether you decide to commit to handball fully or juggle a few sports like I did, you will be welcomed with open arms at every training, tournament, and social. The society may be smaller than other sports clubs, but we can guarantee you what most sports at a Warwick cannot: a personal feel where everyone knows each other and where your development is monitored in real time.

As a final note from me, who has now graduated from Warwick and had to bid farewell to this amazing club, I can say Warwick Handball club had gone from a sports society I had never heard of, to where I felt most at home and where my family was. I hope, if you’re reading this at Warwick and are looking for that extra excitement this year, you give handball a try. You won’t regret it.

If you are curious on hearing from the society itself, here is what the new and wonderful AY26/27 exec have to say about Warwick Handball Club: 

“Warwick Handball Club is incredibly welcoming to all members no matter your background. Following on from the president last year, I want to maintain the amazing community we have built and expand it to as many students as possible.” – Sam Pepper (President AY26/27)

“Warwick Handball Club is more than just a sports team; it is a close-knit community where members can build friendships and enjoy the game at their own pace. I initially joined to play casually but quickly realised I enjoyed the sport and the club too much to not play competitively. As captain I hope to make this team a disciplined and organised unit that is not just socially thriving but also playing at a high level and quality to win games and tournaments, striving to reach our true potential.” – Keshav Viswanathan (Men’s Captain AY26/27)

“I’d encourage every woman to give handball a go, even if you’ve never played before. It’s such a fun way to stay active and be part of a team where we laugh, have fun, and work out together. It’s been one of the highlights of my entire university experience!” – Sharon Ghebrehiwet (Women’s Captain AY26/27)