Australian squad for Asian Women’s Handball Championship announced

A Busan club player shoots, as three Australian players attempt to block the shot

After months of preparation, the Women’s National Team is currently in South Korea ahead of the 19th Asian Women’s Championships. The championships will take place between the 24 November to 4 December.

Handball Australia is pleased to announce the squad that will take part in the competition. 

The selected a group of players bring both fresh perspectives and experience to the games. 

“The team has great chemistry and feel about it, the girls are learning every day, and training with Busan Bisco [club] and playing against them has been a huge step up for their development. We really want this group to stay together for the next few years to grow and develop into one of the stronger teams in Asia” Coach Heba Aly said.

Coach Aly and the Womens National Team would like to thank Mr Kang, Bisco Handball Team’s coach, and his team for their welcome and allowing us to train with them before the official tournament.

To lead the team on the court, Coach Heba Aly named Jessica Fallah captain. Her knowledge and experience in international handball will be valuable to guide the younger members of the team.

“The squad has shown a lot of promise and learning during our training camp so far. It’s been great to see the commitment and excitement which playing in the Australian jersey has brought to the young squad. I’m super excited to see the development we will make during the matches and further into future competitions. It’s an honor to be a role model to such great handball players where we have created such a great team culture already.” Jessica Fallah said.

A squad for the future 

Gemma Buckett at the Oceania Women’s Junior and Youth Champ in 2019 Credit: Oceania Handball Federation

For most of the girls called up for the tournament, it will be their first taste of international handball.

Some of the girls have already represented Australia as juniors at the IHF Oceania Youth and Junior Women’s Trophy in New Caledonia in 2019.

With an average age of 20, this is the youngest team in the tournament. These young players are excited to gain experience and learn from the older members of the squad. 

Coach Aly notes this squad is building with a vision toward the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

SQUAD

Alanah Jenkins at training camp against goalkeeper Lana Shehada. Credit: Marie Arnaudon
NamePositionAgeClubInternational matches
Lana ShehadaGoalkeeper17 UTS HC Making debut
Nicole Loveridge  Goalkeeper27UTS HCDebut
Hannah MounceyPivot33Canberra HC28
Laura Player Pivot 31Blau Weiss 90 Handball (GER)20
Gemma BuckettCentre20Brisbane HCDebut
Sophie JenkinsCentre 21Brisbane HCDebut
Chloe WanLeft Back17UTS HC Debut
Jessica FallahRight Back23UTS HC15
Trudy Wan Right Back 20UTS HC Debut
Alanah JenkinsLeft Wing21Brisbane HC Debut
Hannah TahaLeft Wing 16Sydney Uni HC Debut
Jasmine Sau Hong Wong Left Wing 18UTS HCDebut
Alicia SoLeft Wing 17UTS HC Debut
Lynn ChoiLeft Wing15UTS HCDebut
Emina MesanovicRight Wing 17UTS HCDebut
Sigrid DobsonRight Wing19 Brisbane HCDebut

TECHNICAL STAFF

Head Coach: Heba Aly 

Coach: Amgad Anwar Ewis Teleb

Manager: Mouhamad Dehen

Physiotherapist: Fatma Farag 

Goalkeeper coach and analyst: Inda Viktoria Aas

Game analyst: Karina Silva