Category: Recruitment

Over the past few weeks, female athletes in Atlanta and Chapel Hill took part in two exciting handball tryouts — and what an experience it was! Dozens of athletes showed up with energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn something new. For many, it was their very first time playing handball, and they quickly picked up the fast-paced, dynamic nature of the sport.

A huge thank you goes out to Coaches Wade Sutton and Chris Cappelmann for leading the sessions with passion and expertise. Their guidance helped create an environment that was both challenging and supportive.

We were also honored to welcome special guests — Olympic handball players and members of the U.S. National Team — who shared their knowledge, inspired the athletes, and showed everyone what’s possible in this sport.

THANK YOU USA TEAM HANDBALL FOR THEIR SUPPORT!

We’re thrilled to announce that the first round of Handball Futures Tryouts has officially wrapped up — and what an incredible journey it’s been!

Over the past several months, we hosted tryouts in Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, and California, welcoming talented, driven, and enthusiastic athletes from all over the country. Whether athletes were trying handball for the very first time or stepping back onto the court with experience, the energy, teamwork, and heart shown at each location was nothing short of inspiring.

A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches, Mark Ortega, Wade Sutton, Martin Bilello and Chris Cappelmann, for leading outstanding sessions, and to the Olympians and U.S. National Team players who generously shared their time, stories, and expertise with the next generation of athletes. Your presence made a lasting impact on everyone involved.

We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of our supporters, donors, and USA Team Handball for believing in the mission of Handball Futures and helping us grow the sport across the country.

This is only the beginning — we’re building something special together. Stay tuned for updates on future training opportunities, events, and next steps as we continue working to shape the future of handball in the United States!

Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

👉 Know a female athlete looking for a new challenge? Complete the Prospective Athlete Form.

THANK YOU USA TEAM HANDBALL FOR THEIR SUPPORT!

We’re excited to share that our very first Handball Futures Festival Tryout took place in Ohio—and it was a great success! Athletes, many of them brand new to the sport, showed up with energy, determination, and serious potential.

Led by the experienced Coach Mark Ortega, participants got a hands-on introduction to the fast-paced, dynamic world of team handball. From learning the basics to jumping into competitive drills, it was a day full of action and inspiration.

We were also honored to have a Team USA Handball Olympian, Melinda Hale Rhoads, in attendance, offering mentorship, encouragement, and insight into what it takes to succeed in the sport at the highest level. For these new athletes, it was an incredible chance to connect with someone who’s been exactly where they are—and gone all the way.

This is just the beginning.

Handball Futures was created to support USA Team Handball in finding and developing new talent—and building a stronger, deeper pool for future national teams. Our mission is to make sure the next generation has the chance to discover this incredible sport and take it to new heights.

Our vision is to launch the Handball Futures Festival in 2025 with a focus on introducing more women to the sport. In 2026, we aim to expand the program to include both women and men, and by 2027, we plan to incorporate the Wheelchair Handball discipline—creating a truly inclusive pathway for all athletes to experience the game.

👉 Know a female athlete looking for a new challenge? Handball could be it. Encourage them to check out our upcoming tryouts—they might just find their next passion on the court.

THANK YOU USA TEAM HANDBALL FOR THEIR SUPPORT!