From Tbilisi to every corner of the country, Georgia develop children’s handball

Key facts

• Player and coach development as well as visibility of handball were identified as the most important focus areas, with growth of school and kindergarten handball the most significant targets
• The Master Plan project began with the creation of extensive planning and educational materials, and the Georgian Federation continues to develop their educational materials with the production of video content underway
• Efforts have been first concentrated in the capital Tbilisi before expansion to other regions, with new schools and kindergartens continually joining the programmes
• Thousands of children have been reached through various festivals and school Olympiads, as well as the introduction of handball into curriculum
• The federation has dedicated considerable effort towards improving the media and social media side of their work, with new employees in this area resulting significant growth of the social media platforms

Creation of the concept

Following the Georgian Handball Federation’s initial application to be part of the EHF Master Plan project, three focus areas were identified in collaboration between the two organisations: development of handball players, reinforcement of coach development and methodology, and strengthening of visibility of handball in Georgia.

The development of handball players was further broken down into kindergarten and school-age handball, involving increasing the number of children participating in handball on an ongoing basis, and inclusion in school curriculums and after school activities. In addition, increased focus was identified as necessary concerning youth handball, talent development and women’s teams.

Regarding the strengthening of coach development and methodology, the concentration has been on the creation of age-related teaching materials for player development. Concerning visibility of handball in Georgia, the effort is towards marketing and social media presence.

Although three key areas of focus were identified, the development of handball players was clearly the most important and significant undertaking and it is there that the most steps have been taken. The three core projects that resulted from the planning stage were handball at school level, the kindergarten handball project, and coach development.

Hitting the ground sprinting in 2022

In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Georgia had already been taking significant steps prior to the formal agreement that brought the Federation officially into the EHF Master Plan project. Therefore, the federation was ready to hit the ground running once the agreement was implemented in May 2022.

The work prior to the Master Plan agreement served as an important base for what was to follow, with a number of physical education teachers undergoing training to deliver handball in schools in 2021.

Throughout 2022, specific responsibility for strengthening handball at school was allocated within the federation, a detailed activity plan and guidelines were developed targeting kindergartens and mini handball, EHF teaching materials were adapted and distributed, mini handball coaching courses were organised, and material and equipment were received from the EHF and distributed. A total of 280 school PE teachers undertook the training provided by the Georgian federation.

In addition, two key events took place: EHF Expert Luisa Estriga led a National Coaching Course for kindergarten and mini handball teachers and national championships were introduced for the U14 and U16 age categories.

The Georgian Handball Federation also appointed a marketing manager in 2022 and increased its media activities, with a redesign of the website and more attention on social media.

Thousands of children reached through schools, kindergartens and festivals

Towards the end of 2022 and transitioning into 2023, the introduction of handball to kindergartens began, mini handball was introduced in 30 elementary schools, over 100 schools brought handball into PE lessons, and U10 mini handball and U12 handball festivals were organised. In addition, more training sessions for coaches in different categories were held.

Up to March 2024, when the 14th Conference for Secretaries General was held in Copenhagen and where Georgia presented the latest updates regarding its Master Plan project, 380 schools and 2,500 children had participated in these handball festivals. School Olympiads have also been held in a number of regions, totalling 113 girls and 161 boys teams.

From a Tbilisi festival, talented players were selected to attend training camps. A total of 35 boys born in 2010–2011 participated, while 20 of the most promising girls took part in their own camp.

The kindergarten project entered a second phase in September 2023, with a coordinator appointed to improve organisation of the work both in Tbilisi and outside the capital. Memorandums now exist with 10 kindergartens in Georgia — seven in Tbilisi and three in Batumi. The second phase involved the preparation of focused teaching materials and distribution of equipment and the organisation of mini handball festivals.

Looking forward

One challenge the Georgian Federation face is the availability of after school sessions for kids who are interested in playing handball outside school hours. In Tbilisi, the Ministry of Education is currently working on the creation of sports clubs based on the administrative structure of the capital, with handball to be included in any new structures implemented.

Concerning the parts of the Georgian Master Plan project already running, the focus is on reaching regions outside Tbilisi. Meetings with new kindergartens and schools have been conducted, with the school focus on bringing more schools to the handball festivals and including the sport in the curriculum. Spreading the programmes and efforts that have been implemented successfully in Tbilisi to other parts of the country remains a core focus as the Georgian Handball Federation’s Master Plan project continues to expand.

Photos: Georgian Handball Federation