2012 is proving a very busy year for Claregalway Handball Club. The summer would normally be the quietest time for the club and members, however in only our 3rd year into the Club’s “rebirth”, some players have just come back from competing in the One Wall Nationals in City West and our boys U15 and U16 players will be competing in the 60×30 ‘Big Alley’ championship over the next fortnight at both County and Connacht level. At adult level our players have competed in the men’s Junior 60×30 Connacht championship, 40×20 Nationals, One Wall Nationals and competitions in Williamstown and Mount Talbot. Club adult training has not stopped and juvenile training will be resuming in mid-August with eyes firmly fixed on the World Championships in October. The Club will be making history by entering a number of players at both adult and juvenile level into the Worlds this year.
The World Championship event promises to be a fantastic testament to the popularity of the game where for the first time ever, all games will be played in one arena which is at City West Dublin. The plan is to erect nine one-wall and 13 40×20 courts in the main convention centre, with all games being run over a ten day period October 11th–21st. For full information on visiting or volunteering at this unique event see the website www.worldhandball2012.com.
Locally the club recently received compensation for the loss of the alley which was knocked to allow for flood relief works. The club has now lodged an application to build a new indoor alley on a site provided by Claregalway GAA at its main grounds in Lakeview adjacent to it’s clubhouse and the Community Centre. The site is ideal as it is within walking distance of the village, the local national school and has a car park. The plans contain a 40×20 court with glass back wall, viewing platform, dressing rooms and general use room. These facilities would allow the club to further expand and players to develop their full potential. The club has applied for funding to fill the shortfall between the compensation and development costs.
In the coming year, the club will again be training in the court in Carnmore Community Centre, and we thank the Centre committee for allowing us to continue renting the facilities. We also hope to have some one wall facilities in place with news on that over the coming weeks. We are presently recruiting new coaches and helpers for the upcoming season, if you would like to know more of what’s involved or how you can help please make contact with us.
If anybody or any age is interested in taking up handball then make contact with us—whether you are an expert, a total beginner or a little rusty. Watch out for the notices on open days in the coming months where you can come along, see the game being played and try it for free.
As always you can like and follow us on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ClaregalwayHandballClub or here on www.claregalway.info where we will be posting updates. Contact Joe O’Connell 087 9333 181, Mike Cullina 085 139 5331 or any of our coaches for information on getting involved in handball.
