Britain's men's handball team to return to competitive action after two-year hiatus

Britain's men's handball team will return to competitive action for the first time in two years at the IHF Emerging Nations Championship ©English Handball

Britain’s men’s handball team will compete for the first time in two years at the upcoming International Handball Federation (IHF) Emerging Nations Men’s Championship in Kosovo.

The sport in Britain has been plagued with funding issues since both men’s and women’s teams failed to secure a point at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

UK Sport cut handball’s Olympic funds by around £3 million ($4.5 million/€4 million) following their performance on home soil, which led Chris McDermott, a member of Team GB at London 2012, to claim they felt “misled and cheated”.

The men’s team then failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championships in Poland and British Handball remains in the doldrums owing to a lack of financing within the sport.

Britain’s team at the Emerging Nation Men’s Championship has also been affected as they have been forced to pick players from the London 2012 side who are still playing competitively, as well as those members of the under-21 squad that played in the recent World Championship qualifying tournament in Medway.

They have been drawn in Group F at the tournament, due to take place from June 20 to 26, and they will open their campaign with a clash against Armenia before they meet Australia.

London 2012 Olympian Mark Hawkins is looking forward to a return to the competitive scene in Kosovo ©Getty Images

“We have a great mix of experience and youth in the squad,” London 2012 Olympian Mark Hawkins said.

“A lot of people have worked really hard in recent years to develop young talent in this country.

“It's a testament to them and the hard work of these players who have earned themselves a chance to get a taste of full international handball.

“On a personal note I'm delighted to be involved again at this level.

“Everybody is aware of the issues over the last couple of years and there were many times when I and others thought this might not happen.”

Fielding a side for a competitive tournament represents a step in the right direction for a sport that has enjoyed a recent boom at grassroots level, although funding on the elite stage remains an issue.

“It is great news that we have a chance to enter a men’s team in this IHF sanctioned tournament after almost two years without any activity,” British Handball Association director David Meli added.

“Timescales have been tight but we are pleased with the response that we have had from those players and staff members who are committed to seeing a team compete at this level.

“We hope that we can be competitive on the court and, more importantly, use this as a catalyst for future activity.”