Renowned speakers on Women’s Handball Conference programme

The Conference, set to take place on December 10 and 11, will include a number of renowned experts in their respective field, whether that be handball-specific or not. Through the diverse programme, the EHF aims to provide a comprehensive two days of education that will significantly enhance the knowledge of all participants. All presentations will fall into one or a combination of the following categories: Grassroots, leadership, operations, and coaching. There are also specific themes identified to guide the topics with a big-picture approach to assisting the growth of women’s handball. The programme includes lectures on the main stage, breakout sessions and panels.

One of the first breakout sessions on the agenda will be that of Secretary General of the Belgian Handball Federation Dries Boulet, whose presentation is titled “Hand 2 Girls — a new form of handball: Two-aside to increase the entry of young girls.” Boulet’s presentation falls into the grassroots category and is under the core theme  “She plays handball — approaching the new generation.” Boulet will present from 11:30 to 12:00 CET on day one of the Conference.

Dr Zrinka Greblo Jurakić will speak on the main stage later on day one, starting at 15:00 CET, presenting her topic “Changing the game: Overcoming gender stereotypes and barriers in women’s sport.” Jurakić is an Associate Professor in the University of Zagreb’s Department of Psychology and an EHF Expert who has already featured in EHF Webinars and spoke at the first Grassroots Convention held during the Men’s EHF EURO 2024 in January. Her presentation is under the theme “Inspiring HERstory — sustainability in women’s handball.”

Choosing which presentation to attend at 15:00 CET might be challenging, as the remarkable story of Joyce van Haaster will be told at the same time: “Expect the unexpected — the story of an international wheelchair handball icon.” Van Haaster was the women’s MVP of the first Four-a-Side Wheelchair Handball World Championship held in 2022 and was part of the Netherlands youth age category national teams before a malignant tumour meant she could no longer play the sport, until wheelchair handball came along. Professionally, Van Haaster is a kinesiologist. Her presentation is also under the theme of “Inspiring HERstory.”

At 16:30 CET on day one, EHF Expert and Project Manager for two projects in the Swedish Handball Federation, Jennie Linnéll, will make her presentation: “Creating a developing environment through leadership behaviours.” The two projects Linnéll manages in the Swedish Handball Federation are called “Hand the Ball” and “I-PROTECT.” In addition to her role with the Federation, she is an expert commentator for the Swedish handball league. Linnéll’s lecture falls under the more general theme of the Conference, “Empowering HERstory.”

Following Linnéll will be “Her time to shine: The importance of women’s sports coverage” by Aneta Grabmüllerová, closing day one of the Conference. Falling into the broader category of “Empowering HERstory,” Gramüllerová’s presentation will focus on women’s representation in the media. Grabmüllerová is a PhD candidate at the University of Bergen and Kristiania University College in Oslo, whose research focuses on the contribution of the IOC to gender equality in media.

Before concentrating on academia, Grabmüllerová was a professional triathlete for over 15 years, whose accomplishments in the sporting field included a bronze medal at the World Championship and global titles in younger age category events. In 2021, Grabmüllerová was selected as an IOC Young Leader. Through this programme she has developed a number of projects and campaigns.

Photos: main and 4. Nuno Brites; 2. Uros Hocevar/kolektiff images; 3. Neboysa Tejic/kolektiff images