This past week, I’ve been lucky enough to spend a few days in Atlanta, Ga. which for any number of reasons probably can be called the capital of team handball in the USA. Host to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, Atlanta has become the crystallization point for team handball and numerous programs have sprung into existence, many of which are still running after 10 years. I took the opportunity and spoke with two Olympians from the 1996 National Team who stayed in the sport and dedicated their career to team handball. They are running one of the programs started in the wake of the Olympics, the Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) program, circle runner Matthew Ryan and left back, handball-legend Darrick Heath. Both can look back on very successful careers on the court and have decided to make handball part of their business life as well. Both work for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Matthew as Vice President of Club Services and Darrick as Director of Athletics and Health Services. This dynamic duo is in charge of what is arguably the largest and most successful of the post-Olympic programs and they were so kind to take the time out of their busy schedules to sit down and chat with me about their program.

[file=request.php?21]Matthew Ryan and Darrick Heath talk about the CODP program[/file]

If you're as excited about the program as I am and want to start a program of your own, please do not hesitate and contact [link=mailto:MRyan@bgcma.org]Matt Ryan[/link] right away!