ZAMBIA’S Bluewood Handball Club has teamed up with former Pythons and Ancient handball star Blossom Takudzwa Mhlanga to establish an academy in Masvingo.
Bluewood Handball Academy has just been launched and the official opening is set to take place in June with a tournament which will see the mother club in Zambia taking part as guests.
The project is targeting players from 12 years up to the senior team for both men and women and registration of players is ongoing at the moment.
Its primary goal is to create an inclusive platform for nurturing young talent, offering specialised coaching and providing a structured pathway for players to excel both nationally and internationally.
The establishment of the Bluewood Handball Academy is a significant milestone in the growth and development of handball in southern Africa.
“The Academy seeks to build a legacy of excellence in handball across southern Africa and promote the sport as a valuable tool for youth empowerment, fitness, and community building,” Mhlanga, who is the Bluewood Handball Club secretary as well as the co-founder of the academy in Zimbabwe, told NewsDay Sport.
“The idea behind the creation of Bluewood Handball Academy Zimbabwe is grounded in the need for accessible and organised development programmes for aspiring athletes and recognising the gap in structured handball training in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap and provide athletes with the necessary tools, knowledge and opportunity to advance their careers in handball.”
- Zambian handball club set up academy in Zim
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The collaboration between Bluewood Handball Club in Zambia and a Zimbabwean handball enthusiast is a testament to the power of partnership and the shared vision of advancing the sport in the region.
The Academy’s partnerships with local and international sporting organisations also provide players with opportunities to compete in regional and global tournaments, where they can showcase their skills and gain valuable exposure.
Players who excel at the Academy will have a better chance of being scouted for national team selection and professional handball leagues, both within Africa and internationally
With its doors open to handball players, well-wishers, sponsors and partners, Bluewood has invited all stakeholders to join in this exciting journey of creating a sustainable, thriving handball culture.
Bluewood is one of the best hand clubs in Zambia and in the southern African region and has done a lot to develop the sport in the neighbouring country.
