Last year, the DHPS boys’ handball team celebrated its first success with a clear victory in a friendly match against Windhoek Central Primary School.

On 10 September, this team made their way to Omaruru for the National Regional Handball Tournament. The trip was made possible thanks to the active support of three players’ mothers, who organised and prepared catering for three days and also provided transport with their private vehicles. Accommodation was arranged at the boarding school of the German School in Omaruru. The tournament took place on 11 and 12 September on the basketball courts of the Omaruru Correctional Service Training College, one of which had been temporarily marked with handball lines.

A total of 10 boys’/men’s teams and 6 girls’/women’s teams participated. Most were regional selection teams, while only DHPS and Swallows Handball Club from Windhoek entered as school/club teams. There was also a clear age difference: most players from other teams were 18 to 21 years old, while the DHPS boys were only 14 to 16. We definitely had a major challenge to tackle. The boys’/men’s teams competed in two groups, while the girls’/women’s teams played a round robin (each team against all others).

A highly committed DHPS team facing Hardap
On Thursday, we faced Zambesi, Hardap Region and Swallows – and won all three matches. The last game in particular was extremely hard-fought, with our opponents playing very rough and at times unfair.

Strong support for the DHPS team – goalkeeper André Schaeffler in action
On Friday, our last group match was against the strongest team in our pool. The DHPS boys were at a clear disadvantage, as the Omusati Region players – mostly basketball players – were much taller, ranging from 180 to 195 cm. We lost the match but still secured second place in the group and advanced to the semi-finals.
As runners-up, we faced Oshana Region, winners of the other group and equipped with a proper handball training centre. Again, the opponents’ physical superiority was decisive and we lost the match.
In the play-off for third place, we met Oshikoto Region. In a tough battle, thanks to our players’ agility (despite again facing much taller opponents) and a change in game strategy, we achieved a convincing victory.

THE DHPS TEAM FINISHED IN 3RD PLACE – BRAVO!!!
In addition, five DHPS learners were nominated for the national team: Nils Elmering, Timo Keding, Johann Ritzer, André Schaeffler and Lindiano Treuke. Our goalkeeper, André Schaeffler, was even named best goalkeeper of the tournament by all the coaches – an outstanding achievement for a 14-year-old and the smallest of all the goalkeepers!

The tournament also forged many new friendships, both with individual players and with other regional teams. Several friendly matches are therefore likely to follow. Time and again, opposing players came to our gazebos for treatment of minor injuries or muscle stiffness, as word quickly spread that our players’ mothers were well equipped with first-aid supplies.

With many positive impressions and great optimism, we look to the future of handball in Namibia – and especially at DHPS – confident that this sport will continue to receive active support from all sides.