What is Handball you may be asking? Well, handball is an ancient game originating in Ireland that has been exported to America, Canada, England, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico and Japan, to name but a few. Like tennis, you can play either singles or doubles against each other. There are four versions of the game, but at Queen’s we specialise in 40×20 Handball and Wallball. 40×20 is played in a court, similar to a squash alley that measures 40 feet by 20 feet in length. The aim of the game? To win 21 points against the opponent and the game can be won in the best of three games. The sport involves serving to a player, making sure it crosses over the service line; the opponent must always try to return the ball by hitting it with their hand, otherwise this player will lose their point.

Both versions of the game are highly accessible; all you need is a ball, a pair of gloves, eye goggles and an opponent to play against! Rallies in Handball can be similar in length to Tennis, therefore it’s a fast-paced sport. Handball is also one of the most fitness intensive sports out there, giving every muscle a full-body workout. It’s great, both mentally and physically, as you are constantly working on your hand-eye co-ordination. As well as improving your fitness, the sport has a great social element to it. Take, for example, the Irish Collegiate 40×20 championships held at the end of January, in a fantastic venue known as Kingscourt, just a few hours down the road from Belfast. Every year, hundreds of students from across the island descend upon the venue for a weekend of craic, competitive sporting spectacle and a chance to meet new people. This is just one of the multiple events organised for University handball students every year by the ICHA.

University Handball at QUB also provides the potential for students to compete on an international level, at the USA Inter-Varsity’s competition held every year across the Atlantic. Further to this, handball in the US is a professional sport, broadcast by ESPN.

If you’re interested in joining the QUB Handball Club, join our mailing list on the Join tab above, or contact us through our Facebook page!