Belgian handball federation to open academies in Flanders and Wallonia

The Royal Belgian Handball Federation (RBHF) is planning to open two academies, one in Flanders and one in Wallonia. The project is supported by the European Handball Federation (EHF) and wants to give talented youngsters in both regions better training guidance in a school environment, aiming at a career in sports.

The project is part of the EHF's 2020-2027 master plan. "Handball is not recognised as a top sport in Belgium and therefore cannot count on financial support," clarified RBHF secretary general Dries Boulet. That is why the federation submitted a proposal to the EHF, which accepted it in September.

The project is now in full development. "Both Flanders and Wallonia will have an academy," states Jonathan Vandeberg, technical director of the RBHF. The target group consists of young people aged between 13 and 18 who would combine their studies with top-level sport. The goal is to prepare them for a national or international career in handball.

Investment is needed if Belgium is ever to become a top handball team. The country's men's team is currently ranked 25th out of 46 European countries. There has been some encouraging news recently: Belgium participated in the IHF Men's Handball World Championship for the first time ever and even survived the group stage. They were eliminated by Egypt in the second round.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Belgium's Jeroen De Beule. © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS}