The British women’s handball team, comprised of an impressive 18 players from Loughborough College have secured a coveted sport in the upcoming International Handball Federation (IHF) Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Hungary.
Following the withdrawal of the national Cameroonian team, Team GB were selected as a wildcard by the IHF, and are now vying for a place at the Olympic Village in Paris. The squad will face off in matches against Hungary, Japan, and Sweden between April 11th – 14th, and must finish in the top two in order to qualify for the Games.
Team GB have only played at one previous Olympic Games, after being awarded a host place for the London 2012 Games. However, the team finished bottom of their group, meaning Paris 2024 is a fresh chance for the British Handball Association (BHA) to make their mark on the sport.
Of the 34-member strong Women’s squad, eighteen players are current or former students on the Loughborough College DiSE programme, delivered to elite sportspeople to help them progress on their journey to reach their athletic potential.
Loughborough College students making their way to Hungary for the matches are Alexandra Neilson, Alicia Smith, Anna Rayner, Ella Dibden, Floran Steeples, Grace Cappell, Hannah Saunders, Heidi Warren, Holly Luke, Kayla Henson, Lucy Thornehall, Madison Baycroft, Naomi Bell, Paige Schofield, Rebecca Tichford, Ruth Knowles Jackson, Syrine Mali Jebou Dit Jari, and Tabitha Sherratt.
Good luck, Team GB!