Handball is proving a big hit in Shropshire

The brainchild of passionate coach Ilona Loewnau, pictured below, there are now 150 youngsters turning out for one of the biggest sporting drives in the region.

Loewnau, who lives in Lawley, wants to inspire all ages to fall in love with the sport.

But, while she had a plan to get handball off the ground and boost its popularity in the county, even Loewnau could never have imagined its impact.

“At the last head count we had 150 juniors,” said Loewnau, who teaches handball full-time at schools all over Shropshire.

“Two-and-a-half-years ago we started with 40 people, we’ve trebled and keep expanding.

“I can’t believe it. I had a plan but never imagined it would get so big so quickly.

“It’s been an amazing journey. I’m trying to inspire and motivate them.

“We want to be the best. Not in terms of numbers but in quality of service. We’re not money-making but it’s about them falling in love, being able to try sport and carry on playing it.”

The club train at Langley School in Telford. There are boys’ and girls’ sections from under-11s up to the open age senior team.

The coach has visited schools in Telford, Shrewsbury, Shifnal, Wem, Bishop’s Castle, Oswestry and Whitchurch in an attempt to get youngsters involved. Many join her club and continue with the sport.

Loewnau, 36, remarked that the support for her club has been phenomenal. She praised parents, who have since joined her on a committee, for their commitment to helping youngsters all over the country – and globe – to compete.

“We would not be able to do it without them,” said Loewnau of the support offered to her.

“We’re a self-funded club so their support to help travel to training and matches is tremendous.

“I’m constantly amazed by the young people I work with and the parental support. Their attitude, love and passion for handball is infectious and makes my job very easy.

“I would like to thank them all for everything they do to make this club wonderful. I really am very grateful.”

Interest has peaked to such an extent that, a couple of weeks ago, the coach opened up a mums’ handball section on Monday evenings attended by 15 parents who have since brought friends along. Loewnau said a dads’ team is her next plan.

But Loewnau, who won Female England coach of the year in 2015 and 2018, has established an immensely competitive group of teams competing at the highest level in the country.

Many of her young stars are also turning out for England and Great Britain age groups.

The under-16 girls team are preparing for the national play-off final against Stroud at Derby Arena next month. Four more teams made the semi-finals and six competed in total in the National Leagues, that run for six months.

“I’m super excited!” Loewnau added. “I believe we’ve got the skills, ability and mentality to do what it takes to win and bring the trophy back to Shropshire (the under-16 boys were national champions in 2018).

“We’re all working really hard for it but it’s about the mentality on the day of who can go further.”

Eighteen of the club’s boys and girls are part of the top West Midlands Regional academy while three boys and five girls – Amy Hill, Jodi Bletcher, Rachel Deaney, Ruby Newton, Chloe Partridge, Oliver Chandler, Jakub Porebny and William Slingsby – are part of England’s ‘Future Programme’.

One of her junior male players, Daniel Eatough, is part of the GB set-up while the majority of the talented under-16 girls side have represented Great Britain abroad in Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Slovenia – these include Rebecca Tichford, Ellise France, Bletcher and Tabitha Sherratt.

A number of players are also currently preparing to jet off to Sweden in July for the Men’s European Open Championships, the Women’s Junior IHF World Championship, also in July in Spain, before attention turns to the IHF Emerging Nations Championship in October, held in Georgia.

“There are probably more girls at the club now than boys whereas there used to be a 50-50 split,” Shropshire’s top handball coach added.

“The girls are my biggest pride because they are harder to engage with. These players are going abroad to get the experience they need.”

Tickets to support the Shropshire girls in the play-off final against Stroud at Derby are available on the England Handball Association website.

The junior teams are currently fully booked for their training sessions but Loewnau is always keen to hear from new players or supporters looking to get involved.

Anybody interested should email her on shropshirehandballfoundry@gmail.com