Arenhart joins Her Playground as fifth role model

The Brazilian goalkeeper comes to Her Playground with 16 years in European cup competitions behind her; one world title, taken in 2013; and plenty of experience in what it takes to consistently play at the top level — all while being far from home and navigating personal challenges.

Arenhart is also an ambassador in the EHF’s Respect Your Talent programme, with the role of sharing experience with rising talents in order to help them achieve the transition into a professional handball career.

"What really got me into it is the beauty of the project and the depth of it. I think we really lacked, in handball, a project that talked about real life beside the game and this project is such an inspiring project to me," says Arenhart.

"I think that we can build a better environment for handball players. I can really envision that in the future we are building up great coaches, great women into the game, also stronger women as players, and I see that the project is going to grow in a way that it is also an inspiration for other federations or entities to follow up.

"For me, personally it’s a huge honour to be chosen as a role model because everybody has a story and I have my own, and I am very happy that I am picked among the best examples I could also relate to."

Since Arenhart debuted Europe-wide with Spanish club Parc Sagunt, she has hardly missed an international season. 11 of those 16 international years were in the EHF Champions League, with Parc Sagunt, Byasen, Hypo, Baia Mare, Buducnost and Krim. With Hypo, she won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2013.

Arenhart has described 2013 as “the most remarkable year in my life because of everything that happened.” It was in 2013 that she won her two major trophies, but it was also in 2013 that she lost her mother to cancer.

Through that loss, other challenges she saw her parents coming up against and the adventure of close to two decades in Europe on the other side of the world from her home, “Babi” Arenhart has faced the lesson of carrying on when things are tough.

“I think that’s the biggest lesson for me. Just don’t stop. There is always going to be a reward, even if it’s emotional. Challenges will be there the whole life. My father still says that when I’m having a hard time over here or missing them too much: ‘You chose this life. This is not new for you. Just go on.’”

All the Her Playground role models were chosen for something other than their athletic achievements. In Arenhart’s case, it is the element of tenacity in terms of how she has and continues to navigate personal challenges that represents the x-factor alongside her handball career. 

Such values are an intrinsic part of Her Playground, which not only aims to inspire girls and women in particular but all who understand the meaning of gender equality, as part of a broader push together with numerous similar initiatives in sport. Step by step, the fight must “just go on.”

Photos © kolektiff images/Uros Hocevar/Sasa Pahic Szabo/Jozo Cabraja; IHF/Stephane Pillaud; Mosonmagyaróvári KC SE