As I highlighted previously http://teamhandballnews.com/news.php?item.117 USA Rugby and the IRB (International Rugby Board (Rugby’s equivalent to the IHF)) have been aggressively trying to increase the popularity of Rugby in the US. This article titled “American Dreams” from the Sunday Times in London, profiless the new Chairman of the Board for USA Rugby and his plans for the sport: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2094-2393601.html The new Chairman, Kevin Roberts, is also the CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, a major advertising firm, and has had previous success securing marketing contracts for Rugby powerhouse, New Zealand. He also appears to be someone who likes to cut to the chase. Case in point is his response to reports that he had essentially handpicked the new board, “I did want to pick my own board. At this stage of my career, I didn’t want to work with dickheads.” (Sounds straight out of the Mike Hurdle phrase book, although this guy has a little more of a resume to back up the talk)
This second article highlights the NFL’s efforts to efforts to increase the popularity of American Football in Europe. http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/06/sports/ARENA.php American Football has been a tough sell in Europe and it’s not a coincidence that it has done best in Germany, where there isn’t a popular competing outdoor contact sport (rugby). You’ve got to give the NFL credit for trying. And surely, if the Washington Redskins can have a French Linebacker training with them, then couldn’t Montpellier can have an American Goalie on their training team as well.
Bottom Line: Why aren’t the more successful Handball Institutions exerting a little bit more effort to make Handball more popular in the US and other nations where it barely registers a blip on the national sports scene?
I really didn't want to comment, but sometimes I just can't help myself. :)
Anyways, I still feel the main problem with Handball in America is it's lack of visibility. I mean it's nice that the NETHC and the Quebec League have semi-merged, but when you have most of this season's games at West Point, the chance to attract new people to the sport drops to near zero (unless you're recruiting Cadets). Attracting new people is an essential part of the growth of any sport. Does it cost that much to make some leaflets and post them around the practice sites of the clubs? I realize to that there are a lot of clubs that are doing work in the communities to attract new players. But there are others who just seem to be treading water.
In addition, the lack of a NGB is primary reason that the sport fails to grow. However, between the last administration who promised reforms but gave us Germany c. 1940 and the previous one which fell asleep at the wheel and led the sport into a slow decline after the '94 Olympics, we may not have a NGB for a while. Still the fact is that both sides are responsible for the mess that we are in and that WE are responsible for the growth of this sport in America, not the IHF, and certainly not the EHF.
If something is not done soon Handball won't be an elite sport but an ELITIST sport where only a few will play and the rest will be unaware of how great Handball really is.
Thanks for your time.
I guess I can't help but comment.
"If something is not done soon Handball won't be an elite sport but an ELITIST sport where only a few will play and the rest will be unaware of how great Handball really is."
This has been handball's history in the USA. A small, self absorbed group, unable to reach the masses.
"I still feel the main problem with Handball in America is it's lack of visibility"."Does it cost that much to make some leaflets and post them around the practice sites of the clubs?"
Americans don't believe something is real [and do believe some unreal things are real!] unless it is on TV. Leaflets attract almost a 0% of notice, unless it is a yard sale. I have known more people who found out about the sport from the infrequent telecast [Olympics '84, '96, 2004], than have ever responded to a handout or seen a poster. Somehow we need a regular TV broadcast [maybe Champions League] on ESPN or FSC to a create sense of legitimacy. Even if it is at 2AM in the morning! That's how I found out about Aussie Rules Football back when ESPN was young, and was begging for late night filler. The Assie tourist board and Foster's beer bought the time. And it is still on. I bet if you did a poll here in the USA, many more people would know of A.R.F. than Handball.
Keep working hard for our sport everyone, and keep hope!