AUSTRALIA’s best handball players are playing off for national titles in Coffs Harbour.
The Australian Handball Club Championships are currently being held at Sportz Central, with a spot in the World Championship up for grabs.
The National Championships got underway on Wednesday, 27 May, with semi-finals to be played on Saturday, 30 May, and the grand finals on Sunday, 31 May.
The winner of the men’s division qualifies for the IHF Men’s Handball Club World Championship to be held in Egypt in October.
The winning men’s team in Coffs Harbour will represent Oceania against the world’s best club sides.
Sydney University has represented Oceania 13 times, holding the record for most appearances and establishing itself as one of the region’s most successful clubs.
Reigning men’s champions Sydney University have returned to defend their title, while women’s champions the University of Queensland aim for a historic three-peat.
The first national championship was held in 1998, where Sydney University defeated the City of Melbourne.
After a long pause, the competition was revived in 2012, with Sydney University again claiming the title against St Kilda.
By Aiden BURGESS
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