Event Recap  ·  May 2026

Handball Futures Iowa Camps Draw 50+ Athletes, Earn Regional Media Coverage Alongside USA Team Handball Open Championships

National team evaluations, Olympian coaching, and three media features mark a milestone weekend for women’s handball development in the United States.

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50+ Athletes
Attended

2 Camp
Sessions

3 Media
Features

2 Olympians
Featured

BETTENDORF, Iowa — Handball Futures successfully hosted two Development & Skills Camps on May 14 and May 16, 2026, at TBK Bank Sports Complex in Bettendorf, Iowa, drawing more than 50 female athletes across both sessions. Held in conjunction with the USA Team Handball Open Championships — which featured 23 clubs and 34 competing teams — the camps were sanctioned by USA Team Handball and marked a significant milestone in the growth of women’s team handball development across the United States.

At the heart of Handball Futures’ mission is expanding the pool of female athletes for Olympic team handball and building a lasting collaboration with USA Team Handball in support of the Women’s National Team. This weekend delivered on both fronts.

“This is about creating access. We want athletes from all backgrounds to see handball as a real opportunity — whether they’re discovering it for the first time or continuing their development. The sport is growing, the community is supportive, and now is the perfect time to get involved.”

— Michael D. Cavanaugh, Tournament Director, Handball Futures

Athletes from basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, and other sports participated across both sessions — many experiencing team handball for the very first time. The dual-session format was designed to meet athletes at every level, offering hands-on fundamental instruction for newcomers and advanced training for returning players.

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◆ Coaching Staff

The camps were led by an accomplished coaching staff with deep ties to the national team program. Athletes had the rare opportunity to train under and be evaluated by coaches with direct national team connections — including two 1996 Olympians and the full Handball Futures Festival coaching slate:

• Lisa Eagen — Iowa native, 1996 Olympian, Handball Futures Board Member, and upcoming Assistant Coach for the Handball Futures Festival
• Dawn Lewis — 1996 Olympian and Handball Futures Head Coach, bringing decades of high-level handball experience to every session
• Wade Sutton — Head Coach, Handball Futures Festival
• Chris Cappelmann — Head Coach, Handball Futures Festival
• Martin Bilello — Head Coach, Handball Futures Festival
• Stephanie Moreno — Assistant Coach, Handball Futures Festival
• Kristen Torpey — Past National Team Player
• Chick Lillis — Past National Team Player
• Allegra Collins — Past National Team Player

Each athlete received a personal evaluation from Handball Futures coaches, with results shared directly with the USA Women’s National Team coaching staff. Top performers will be considered for the Handball Futures Festival — the next step on the national team development pathway.

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◆ USA Team Handball Collaboration

The Iowa camps reflect the deepening collaboration between Handball Futures and USA Team Handball. Mike King, CEO of USA Team Handball, and Sarah Gascon, Head Coach of the USA Women’s National Team, were both actively engaged with the event — a powerful signal of organizational alignment around growing the female athlete pipeline for the national program.

With the Open National Championships running concurrently at TBK Bank Sports Complex, athletes had the extraordinary opportunity to watch — and in some cases compete alongside — the top club teams in the country, fully immersing themselves in the sport across a single weekend.

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◆ Media Coverage

The weekend generated significant earned media coverage across the Quad Cities region, reaching tens of thousands of potential athletes and sports fans:

Living Local  ·  WHBF / OurQuadCities.com

Train Like an Olympian with USA Team Handball

By Brandy Auterson

Living Local introduced team handball to Quad Cities audiences as a fast-paced Olympic sport heading to the 2028 Games, featuring Lisa Eagen and USA Team Handball CEO Mike King outlining the national team pathway.

▶ Watch Segment ❐ Instagram

Sports Sunday  ·  WHBF / OurQuadCities.com

Sports Sunday: Team USA Women’s Handball

By Evan Denton  ·  May 17, 2026

WHBF Sports Sunday dedicated a full segment to Handball Futures and USA Team Handball’s visit to the Quad Cities, featuring interviews with 1996 Olympian Lisa Eagen and USA Women’s Head Coach Sarah Gascon on how they got involved in handball and their vision for growing the sport.

▶ Watch Segment

Quad-City Times

Handball Futures Holds Development & Skills Camp — Bettendorf

Quad-City Times Staff  ·  May 2026

The Quad-City Times, the region’s leading daily newspaper, covered the Bettendorf camps, bringing the story of Handball Futures and the national team development pathway to its broad print and digital readership across the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities.

▸ Read Story

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◆ What’s Next

Athletes who participated in the Iowa camps will receive individual evaluations reviewed by Handball Futures coaches and shared with the USA Women’s National Team coaching staff. Outstanding performers will be invited to the Handball Futures Festival, where they will train under a nationally assembled coaching staff representing East, South, North, and West regional teams.

Handball Futures continues to develop camp opportunities across the country as part of its long-term mission to build the national athlete pipeline and support the growth of women’s handball ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Ready to Be Part of What’s Next?

Stay connected for updates on the Handball Futures Festival, upcoming camps, and national team news.

Learn More Get in Touch

About Handball Futures

Handball Futures is a national organization dedicated to expanding the female athlete pool for Olympic team handball and supporting USA Team Handball’s Women’s National Team. Through Development & Skills Camps, the Handball Futures Festival, and a national coaching network, the organization creates accessible pathways for multi-sport athletes to discover and pursue the sport at every level.

Tags: Handball Futures Women’s Handball USA Team Handball Team Handball Iowa Quad Cities National Team Pathway Handball Festival Female Athletes 2028 Olympics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Lindalisa Severo | lindalisa@handballfutures.org

Handball Futures to host two women’s talent identification development camps in Bettendorf alongside USA Team Handball Open Championships and the Open Tryout for the Women’s National Team.

Female athletes ages 18+ invited to train, compete, and earn national team evaluations — no experience required

BETTENDORF, Iowa — Handball Futures, a national organization committed to expanding the pool of female athletes for Olympic team handball, will host two Development & Skills Camps in Bettendorf, Iowa, on May 14 and May 16, 2026, at the TBK Bank Sports Complex. The camps are held in conjunction with the USA Team Handball Open Championships and are sanctioned by USA Team Handball.

Open to female athletes ages 18 and older, the camps welcome participants at every level — from those who have never touched a handball to experienced players looking to elevate their game. Multi-sport athletes from basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, and other sports are strongly encouraged to apply. U.S. citizenship is required.

Athletes will be trained and evaluated by Handball Futures coaches, with evaluations and feedback shared directly with the USA Women’s National Team coaching staff. Top performers will be considered for the Handball Futures Festival (July 22–25, 2026, at Fountain Valley School, a boarding and day school in Colorado Springs, Colorado), the next step on the national team development pathway. 

The dual-camp format takes full advantage of the Open Championships setting. In addition to camp sessions, athletes will have the rare opportunity to watch — or even compete in — one of the top handball competitions in the country, providing an immersive look at the sport at its highest domestic level.

TBK Bank Sports Complex  |  4850 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

Online registration is required in advance for both sessions. Each session is a separate, sanctioned USA Team Handball event.

Session 1 — May 14, 2026

Check-in: 3:30 PM CT

Training: 4:00 – 6:30 PM CT

Register: usateamhandball.sport80.com/public/wizard/e/286

Session 2 — May 16, 2026

Check-in:  9:30  MDT (10:30AM Central Time-Iowa)

Training: 10:30AM – 1:00 PM MDT (11:30PM – 2pm Central Time-Iowa)

Register: usateamhandball.sport80.com/public/wizard/e/287

Women’s handball has seen growing national momentum, fueled by athletes, coaches, and influencers spotlighting new opportunities in the sport. Handball Futures is at the forefront of that growth, creating accessible entry points for multi-sport athletes across the country to discover and develop in the game.

The Iowa camps mark one of several Handball Futures efforts to build pathways toward the national team athlete pool and support the long-term development of women’s handball in the United States.

ABOUT HANDBALL FUTURES

Handball Futures is a national organization dedicated to expanding the female athlete pool for Olympic team handball and supporting USA Team Handball’s Women’s National Team. Through development camps, skills training, and the Handball Futures Festival, the organization creates accessible pathways for multi-sport athletes to discover and pursue the sport at every level.


Website: https://www.handballfutures.org/ |  Contact:  lindalisa@handballfutures.org  |  Social: https://www.instagram.com/handballfutures

We were proud to host the Handball Futures North Carolina Development & Skills Camp in Chapel Hill, bringing together female athletes from across the region for a focused day of training, learning, and connection.

Athletes of varying experience levels came together to build fundamental skills, gain exposure to the sport, and better understand the pathway within team handball. Camps like this are critical to expanding access, identifying talent, and creating meaningful development opportunities at the regional level.

Thank you to the athletes, coaches, staff, and partners who made this camp possible—and to everyone working to grow opportunities for women in sport. We’re excited to continue building momentum and supporting the next generation of handball athletes.

Special thank you to:

– UNC Team Handball Club
– Wade Sutton, Handball Futures Coach & UNC Team Handball Club
– Leora “Sam” Jones, 3-time Olympian
– Tracey Williams-Johnson, USA TH WNT National Team & Handball Futures Board Member
– Lisa Eagan, Olympian & Handball Futures Board Member
– Wendy Anderson, USA TH WNT National Team
– Heather Parnell, USA TH WNT National Team
– Mike Cavanaugh, Tournament Director
– USA Team Handball
– Jaylen Coleman, Athletic Training Portal (ATP)

Our California Development & Skills Camp was a great success, with over 20 participants and a strong mix of new and returning handball athletes. We were able to provide introductory experiences for athletes who had never played the sport, while also delivering developmental skill training for those with prior handball experience.

The energy, effort, and enthusiasm on the court truly showed the growing momentum around women’s handball.

• A huge thank you to Martin Billelo, Meg Sanders, Mike Cavanaugh, and Karen Rosolowski for leading the camp and creating a positive, high-level learning environment.
• Special thanks to the Cal Cup organizers for hosting us in conjunction with the tournament.
• We also extend our appreciation to USA Team Handball for their support
• Thank you to special guest coach Namsoo Lee, South Korean Handball Olympian, for sharing her expertise with our athletes.

We’re excited to keep building pathways for female athletes across the country!

“This camp was a huge win for women’s handball. Seeing over 20 athletes jump in—some brand new to the sport and others continuing their development—shows just how much potential is out there. This is exactly why Handball Futures exists: to create real opportunities, build confidence, and connect athletes to a pathway forward. The future of women’s handball in the U.S. is bright, and we are excited to be a part of the pathway continuing to expand.

Mike Cavanaugh
Tournament Director, Handball Futures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fremont, CA – Handball Futures is proud to announce a Development & Skills Camps aimed at expanding the female athlete pool for Olympic team handball and supporting the efforts of USA Team Handball’s Women’s National Team.

With growing national buzz around women’s handball—driven by athletes, coaches, and influencers spotlighting new opportunities—the sport is gaining momentum across the country. Handball Futures is helping lead that charge by creating accessible entry points for multi-sport athletes to explore and develop in the game.

The Fremont, CA camp is designed for both new and experienced athletes, offering an introduction to handball fundamentals for beginners while providing advanced training for returning players.

Camp Details

Athletes must register in advance:

California Camp Development & Skills
(held alongside the Cal Cup)
📍 Centerville Middle School
37720 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
📅 February 1
🕠 Check-in: 5:30 PM | Training: 6:00–8:00 PM
Registration:  https://usateamhandball.sport80.com/public/wizard/e/256

Who Can Attend:
• Female athletes ages 18+
• Multi-sport athletes from basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball & more
• No handball experience required (both new and experienced athletes are welcome)
• Must be a U.S. citizen

Athletes will be coached and evaluated by Handball Futures coaches, with evaluations and feedback shared directly with the USA Women’s National Team coaching staff. These camps serve as a key development opportunity for athletes interested in pursuing the sport at a higher level and exploring the national pathway.

“This is about creating access,” said Michael D. Cavanaugh, Handball Futures Tournament Director. “We want athletes from all backgrounds to see handball as a real opportunity—whether they’re discovering it for the first time or continuing their development. The sport is growing, the community is supportive, and now is the perfect time to get involved.”

Handball Futures is committed to building pathways toward the national team athlete pool and supporting the long-term development of women’s handball in the United States.

For more information, visit:
🌐 www.handballfutures.org

Media Contact:
Contact Handball Futures: info@handballfutures.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fremont, CA / Chapel Hill, NC – Handball Futures is proud to announce two upcoming Development & Skills Camps aimed at expanding the female athlete pool for Olympic team handball and supporting the efforts of USA Team Handball’s Women’s National Team.

With growing national buzz around women’s handball—driven by athletes, coaches, and influencers spotlighting new opportunities—the sport is gaining momentum across the country. Handball Futures is helping lead that charge by creating accessible entry points for multi-sport athletes to explore and develop in the game.

These camps are designed for both new and experienced athletes, offering an introduction to handball fundamentals for beginners while providing advanced training for returning players.

Camp Details

Athletes must register in advance:

Who Can Attend:
• Female athletes ages 18+
• Multi-sport athletes from basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball & more
• No handball experience required (both new and experienced athletes are welcome)
• Must be a U.S. citizen

Athletes will be coached and evaluated by Handball Futures coaches, with evaluations and feedback shared directly with the USA Women’s National Team coaching staff. These camps serve as a key development opportunity for athletes interested in pursuing the sport at a higher level and exploring the national pathway.

“This is about creating access,” said Michael D. Cavanaugh, Handball Futures Tournament Director. “We want athletes from all backgrounds to see handball as a real opportunity—whether they’re discovering it for the first time or continuing their development. The sport is growing, the community is supportive, and now is the perfect time to get involved.”

Handball Futures is committed to building pathways toward the national team athlete pool and supporting the long-term development of women’s handball in the United States.

For more information, visit:
🌐 www.handballfutures.org

Media Contact:
Contact Handball Futures: info@handballfutures.org