Our strategy & vision · 2026–27
Building the pipeline of American women in team handball
Founded by Team Handball Olympians and National Team players, Handball Futures introduces women athletes to team handball, grows the next generation of players and creates a pathway to the highest levels of competition — including the Handball Futures Festival — referring standout talent to USA Team Handball for consideration and a possible Olympic future.
Our mission
Our mission is to foster the growth of handball in the United States by organizing world-class competitive events and development programs. Through the Handball Futures Festival, we aim to inspire and train a new generation of athletes, offering them a platform to showcase their talent and build pathways toward international competition, including the Olympic Games. By creating an inclusive and supportive environment, we seek to elevate handball’s visibility, while empowering athletes to achieve excellence in the sport.
Our partnership with USA Team Handball
As the National Governing Body, USA Team Handball leads athlete recruitment for the national team. Handball Futures supports that work through talent identification, development camps and mentorship — with the Handball Futures Festival as our capstone event.
Together, we focus on identifying, training and developing women athletes for the national athlete pool pathway: strengthening the athlete pipeline, advancing gender equity and growing the sport across the country.
2025–26 accomplishments
What we built in year one
250
Athletes served by five Development Camps, October through May
80
Athletes referred to try out for the Women’s National Team program
297 → 900+
Registered female athletes in the U.S., September 2024 to September 2026
3
Handball Futures athletes named to Team USA for the Pan American Qualifier
- Held the inaugural Handball Futures Festival with 48 of the top athletes and eight coaches — including 23 athletes in the WNT Development Pool.
- Supported the Women’s National Team program by attending its tryout events.
- Ran a Mentorship Program connecting Handball Futures athletes with Olympian & National Team mentors.
- Re-engaged women Olympians as donors and Festival attendees.
2026–27 goals
Where we’re headed
- Grow the sport through Development Camps across the country.
- Hold the 2027 Handball Futures Festival to draw and showcase top talent.
- Support the Women’s National Team program and keep referring athletes to it.
- Grow participation — more registered female athletes, and more women’s teams at Nationals than in 2026.
- Engage more Olympians/National Team members as mentors, supporters and champions of the sport.
- Continue the Mentorship Program pairing athletes with Olympians.
- Deepen our partnership with USA Team Handball.
- Expand our Board to strengthen leadership for the years ahead.
- Expand our program to Men’s and Wheelchair disciplines.
The year ahead
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Year-round | Mentorship Program — athletes paired with Olympian mentors |
| TBA | Community-Based Development Camp — Phoenix |
| Late January 2027 | Development Camp at the Cal Cup — Fremont |
| Mid-February 2027 | Development Camp at the Women’s Blue Cup — Chapel Hill |
| March 2027 | Community-Based Development Camp — location to be announced |
| Early June 2027 | 2027 Handball Futures Festival — growing to 56 athletes and 10 coaches, with an extra day of competition |
Help build the pipeline
Every gift moves an athlete closer to the national team. Give once, give monthly, or partner with us as a sponsor.