The firm, which is based in Meriden near Coventry, have been given the target of helping plug the £1.5 million funding cut that British Handball suffered earlier this year when Government agency UK Sport reduced the amount it received in the build-up to London from £2.9 million to £1.488 million.

 

Paul Goodwin, the chief executive of the British Handball Association (BHA), said: "This is an exciting new relationship for British Handball.

 

"In a short time Oaks has gained a clear understanding of our sport, the opportunities and the challenges.

 

“British Handball needed a quality marketing organisation to develop its commercial value and Oaks bring professionalism and expertise to our organisation at a critical stage of the sport’s development.”

 

Oaks Consultancy also works with England Hockey and England Squash & Racketball as well as a host of other sporting organisations, including Premiership football clubs Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion.

 

Oaks’ commercial director Jo Coyne said: “We are thrilled to be working with Paul and the team in the run up to 2012.

 

“Our challenge is to ensure that our British athletes see a return for the sacrifices they’re currently making, and we are tackling this with enthusiasm and passion.