Handball Australia (HA) has named the 18-man squad set to represent the nation at the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Kuwait in January. Led by Head Coach Taip the squad blends experience with a new wave of emerging talent.
The selection includes 9 players making their senior international debut, signaling the program’s commitment to building a sustainable pathway from the junior ranks to the senior team. This focus on long-term development is key to the mission of elevating the national team’s standard on the world stage.
For Head Coach Taip Ramadani, this will be his first major competition since the Emerging Nations Championship in 2023, where Australia finished in 6th place.
“We are excited to return to international competition. This tournament is crucial as it allows us to set the foundation for the next generation. It’s a chance to give our young players the invaluable senior experience needed for our long-term success,” said Ramadani. “We are not just chasing results today, we are building a high-performance unit that will drive us toward Olympic success.”
The transition of players from the junior and youth programs to the senior squad marks the beginning of a long-term vision to build a competitive national program. These young players bring a competitive mindset and hunger.
One of the players making their first appearance for the national team is former youth and junior national team captain, Lucas Velasque. For Lucas, this marks an important milestone in his sporting career.
“Stepping up to the senior team is a massive moment for all of us coming out of the junior ranks,” said Velasque. “This is an exciting opportunity to test ourselves at the highest level. We are committed to making a positive impact now, with the ultimate goal to build Australian handball into genuine contention for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
Australia is in Group D alongside tournament favourites Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Australia will start their campaign against Japan on 15 January.
The Australian Squad for Kuwait 2026
| Player Name | Position | Club |
| Daniel Reid | Goalkeeper | University of Queensland HC |
| Bjørn McCourt | Goalkeeper | Oslo Studentenes Idrettsklubb (Norway) |
| Avery Edmunds | Goalkeeper | Lillehammer Fåberg Håndball 09 (Norway) |
| Caleb Gahan | Left Back | London GD (England) |
| Otto Koehler | Left Back | University of Queensland HC |
| Ryan Mayer | Left Back | Canberra HC |
| James Yates | Centre Back | University of Technology Sydney HC |
| Lucas Velasque | Center Back | University of New South Wales HC |
| Timothy Anderson | Right Back | HRW Laupheim (Germany) |
| Harry Boyd | Right Back | University of New South Wales HC |
| Pavle Prokić | Left Wing | University of Queensland HC |
| Christopher Fallah | Left Wing | HRW Laupheim (Germany) |
| Jack Neubecker | Right Wing | University of Queensland HC |
| Liam Hewitt | Right Wing | University of Technology Sydney HC |
| Alix Verdier | Line | University of Queensland HC |
| Matias Clowes | Line | Asker SK (Norway) |
| Christopher Bajraktarević | Line | Canberra HC |
| Dexter McGowan | Centre Back | Mölndals Handbolls Förening (Sweden) |
Handball Australia is equally proud to announce key additions to the support staff:
- Taip Ramadani (Head Coach): Taip has had a long history with the national team, having been a player between 1993 and 2009 before turning to coaching. This is his second stint leading the team. Between 2009 and 2013, Taip led Australia through a period which included two World Championship campaigns. He returned to the coach role in 2022. With a long history in major tournaments, he understands very well the physical and psychological demands required for these kinds of competitions.
- Tomasz Szklarski (Assistant Coach): Former Australian captain Tomasz Szklarski marks his international coaching debut by joining the senior program. A veteran of the national team, Tomasz brings a wealth of elite playing experience and technical knowledge to help mentor the emerging talent.
- Ognjen Latinovic (Goalkeeper Coach): As one of only two Australians to have played at five World Championships, Ognjen brings unparalleled insight and knowledge into what it takes to perform at the highest level. He is Australia’s most renowned goalkeeper and will be key to building our capacity between the posts.
- Glen Lebeau (Team Manager): Glen has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the team’s logistics, structure, and professional environment meet international standards. His operational commitment is instrumental in allowing the coaches and players to focus solely on performance.
- Jared Hansen (Physiotherapist): Jared is a newcomer to the team, and this will be his first tournament for Australia. Jared is a graduate of the University of Canberra and currently serves as one of the Academy Physiotherapists with the ACT Brumbies. As an athlete himself, who underwent his own rehabilitation process, Jared deeply understands the physical and psychological challenges athletes face. This personal insight gives him a special interest in treating sports injuries, confidently rehabilitating athletes, and helping them return to competition at their peak performance.
Written by: Lucas Valasque
Photo credit: IHF/ Kolektiff
