Draft:Islington Handball Club


Islington Handball Club
Islington HC Logo
Full nameIslington Handball Club
Nickname(s)The Rats
Founded2012
Arena London Metropolitan University, Sports and Science Centre
PresidentAlexandra Văideanu
League Premier Handball League
Club colours   
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Home
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Away
Website
Official site

Islington Handball Club (IHC), also known as the "Rats", is an English handball team based in Islington, London.[1] The club was founded in 2012 and has men's, women's and youth teams.[2] In 2023, IHC's senior men's team entered the Premier League (South), England Handball Association's (EHA) top male competition.[3][4]

History edit

IHC was founded in 2012 after an influx of interest in the sport due to the 2012 London Olympics. Initially, the team had three teams (one of each for men's, women's, and youth). The teams competed in EHA's regional leagues.[2]

In 2017, the men's team reached the English Cup final and secured promotion to the top English Handball competition, the Premier League. The club failed to take up due to administrative mistakes, and was demoted to third division.[2]

In 2023, the men's top team won the Regional South East (South) competition, leading to playoff competitions against other regional winners and an eventual promotion to the Premier League.[5][6]

Teams edit

IHC currently fields four teams in EHA competitions:[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Handball in Islington". findyour.islington.gov.uk. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  2. ^ a b c "About Us". islington-handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  3. ^ "Match Centre Page". England Handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  4. ^ a b "Islington Handball Club back in top flight". Times Series. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  5. ^ Pearce, John (2023-05-12). "Teams prepare for play-off matches to decide promotion and relegation fate". England Handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  6. ^ Pearce, John (2023-10-10). "Tense contests and great goals as handball returns". England Handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  7. ^ "Men's Team 1". islington-handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  8. ^ "Men's Team 2". islington-handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  9. ^ "Men's Team 3". islington-handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  10. ^ "Women's Team". islington-handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  11. ^ "Youth Team". islington-handball. Retrieved 2023-10-25.