13.07.2015, 09:20
EHF supports first European Week of Sports

From 7 to 13 September all member federations and their clubs are invited to promote handball and handball-related activities as part of a European-wide campaign to increase physical activity

EHF supports first European Week of Sports

7 to 13 September 2015 marks the first European Week of Sports, initiated by the European Commission, and the European Handball Federation has decided to join in, calling for a "European Open Day of Handball" to promote the sport.

The EHF has invited all its member federations and their clubs to promote the idea of being active during the Week by contributing and giving a signal to the public how attractive handball-related activities are for everyone.

"The European Commission relies on valuable partnerships with well-known organisations and sport federations which are contributing to the Week’s objectives with concrete commitments and activities," says the EHF’s coordinator for the Week, Helmut Höritsch.

"With the 'Open Day of Handball' the EHF wants to promote grassroots handball and handball-related activities in the framework of the European Week of Sport. With the help of the federations and their clubs as many handball players, youngsters, school kids, parents, teachers and sport-interested people as possible shall take part.

"From mini handball, street handball, beach handball to handball at schools, handball fitness and wheelchair handball a great variety of activities is on offer for every at grassroots level."

Apart from open club days, festivals around matches and tournaments, mini or beach handball activities, handball clinics and much more, the EHF has also suggested to include the successful "Scoremore Crossbar Challenge" into the scheme of activities.

The challenge is simple, as participants have to take two shots from six metres, two from nine and two from the halfway line and hit the crossbar as often as they can – the challenge also featured at this year’s VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.

All activities can be organised on any handball court in- and outdoors with adapted court and goals sizes and distances.

The European Week of Sport is a new initiative of the European Commission to promote sport and and physical activity across Europe. The Week will generate new activities and also build on already successful existing initiatives in the European, national, regional or local context.

The European-wide campaign will inspire Europeans to be active during the Week and encourage them to stay active all year long. For more information head to http://ec.europa.eu/sport/week

TEXT: EHF / ts