In Part 2 of our series, "Beach Handball in Ireland – Exploring Past and Present Efforts," we promised to dive into the remarkable story of the Niterói Beach Handball team. Based in Brazil, but proudly competing under the Irish flag since 2023. This team’s journey is a testament to dedication, strategic thinking, and a drive to elevate beach handball on the global stage.
Background and Challenges
Beach handball has seen significant growth in Europe, but other regions, particularly South and Central America, have faced substantial challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted sports activities, leading to a sharp decline in active teams in Brazil. Despite these setbacks, the Niterói Beach Handball team’s involvement in European tournaments stands out as a symbol of passion and resilience.
Niterói was established in 1973 as a rugby team. In 1981, they expanded to include their first indoor handball team, comprising athletes who played both rugby and handball. The club has won six national indoor championships, across senior and youth categories, for both men and women.
Until 2007, the club participated in beach handball, but only gathered to play in tournaments rather than training as a dedicated team. In 2007, they began treating beach handball as a distinct sport, separate from indoor handball. By 2009, they had introduced specialized training sessions and coaches, although many athletes continued to compete in both sports.
A Strategic Move: Competing Under the Irish Flag
The decision to compete under the Irish flag in European tournaments was both strategic and meaningful. With several of the team’s founders being Irish, it was a natural choice to represent Ireland. This decision was not only about honouring their heritage, but also about navigating the complexities of international competition.
Pedro Federici Araujo, a committed and passionate handball player and management member, shared insights into this decision: “In the past, we’ve played for other European teams, like one from the Netherlands in 2011 and another from England in 2016. Our city’s recent partnership with Nazare, Portugal, gave us a unique opportunity. The mayor invited us to train and compete there, and we decided to qualify as a European team.
We researched the situation and found that Ireland, which had no teams in the EBT, was a good fit. With Irish founders and other Europeans on our team, we reached out to the Irish federation, which granted us the necessary authorization. This way, we could compete in Europe without disrupting the existing teams.”
Interaction with Olympic Handball Ireland (OHI)
The response from Olympic Handball Ireland (OHI) was cautious but supportive. Pedro explained, “We always talk about creating exchange programs and internships in Ireland to support beach handball there and help build the sport, but at some point, we always need funding to do that. Like in Brazil, beach handball in Ireland is not popular, and we don’t have a lot of funds, so we are discussing how we can go to Ireland for internships and help in any way, but I think it’s hypothetical for now. Their concerns were about their relationship with the EHF.
That was their concern—they didn’t get very enthusiastic because I think they don’t have the structure to bring us over. Another thing I offered them was that if they have any projects, events, or plans, and if we have the funds, we can come to Ireland and help. If there are any sponsors to support us with the tournaments and trips, we could promote them on our shirts and Instagram. In the end, we agreed this year to mention them on Instagram.”
Navigating Legal and Regulatory Challenges
Competing under the Irish flag came with its set of challenges. Pedro detailed, "We were questioned by the EHF, and we responded to their questions, and they validated everything. We met all the requirements to participate in the EBT, which include having a European manager for the club and validation from the national federation. Since we had that, they were fine with it after we showed them the documents. We also mentioned another point: many clubs in Europe call Brazilians to play for them only in the finals. We told the EHF that we are trying to do things the right way—we want to go to the tournaments, represent a country, and we have validation from OHI and a European manager. There is nothing to be against.
One thing that isn’t good for us is when people see us as a team that’s just coming for the finals. We want people to know that we are trying to go international in beach handball, making more exchanges, and also respecting and contributing to beach handball in Europe. We don’t just want to play in the finals, we want to participate in the tournaments, and we believe it’s good for Ireland that we represent a country that didn’t have participants.
We got bullied by some people about the fact that we’re not originally from Ireland, similar to the other teams in the finals that have mostly players from other countries, like the 1st place team in the finals, the male team from Portugal. We’re not ashamed of what we’re doing, and we don’t consider it wrong. The EBT has many open tournaments.
We were in Gaeta, Italy, recently, and all the teams wanted to play with us. After leaving the court, everyone wanted our shirts. We’re not really celebrities, but it was nice for them to play against us, with some world champion players.
I spoke with two guys from Ireland about exchanging athletes, and they said they might be in Gaeta in June, the last tournament we played. I said, "We have two spare athletes, so if you are there and need anyone, they can play with you." I was also clear with them that the moment they have a clear strategy and want to qualify for the finals, we can talk about it. We don’t want to disadvantage any team from Ireland.”
Impact and Future Prospects
The Niterói Beach Handball team’s European involvement has significant benefits. It enhances the sport’s global visibility and opens new opportunities, such as future Olympic inclusion. For Ireland, hosting a Brazilian team under its flag offers a unique opportunity to elevate the profile of beach handball, inspire local players, and potentially attract more investment in the sport. We hope that, like the Boys in Green and Brazucas, this team will be supported and promoted through official channels, as so far nothing has been said about these beach handball teams or any active promotion for the sport itself.
Pedro’s interaction with Irish representatives underscores the potential for mutual growth.
The Niterói Beach Handball team’s participation in European tournaments goes beyond a mere symbolic gesture, it represents a strategic move with substantial benefits. Their presence helps grow the sport globally and fosters important international connections. For Ireland, this collaboration is a chance to enhance the sport’s visibility, inspire local talent, and build valuable partnerships, which we hope will start to be taken advantage of.
Their journey highlights the resilience and determination of athletes pushing boundaries and advancing their sport, even amid challenges. As beach handball continues to evolve, Niterói’s role in Europe will likely pave the way for increased international engagement and a brighter future for the sport. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of how dedication and strategic vision can make a significant impact on the global stage, benefiting not just their own team, but also contributing to the growth of beach handball in Ireland and beyond.
Ultimately, beach handball unites people from diverse backgrounds and demonstrates that there are no boundaries in sport. Everyone should be supported in their pursuit of playing, especially those who invest their own time, money, and health into advancing a sport that is still developing and gaining awareness worldwide.
Sports should be a realm of encouragement and enjoyment, where every effort is recognized and valued. By supporting those who sacrifice so much for the love of the game, we not only honour their commitment but also help elevate the sport to new heights, fostering a global community where dedication is truly celebrated.
Irish Handball News extends its heartfelt thanks to each athlete from Niterói Beach Handball for their unwavering dedication to improving their skills and their commitment to representing Ireland on the international stage. Their passion and perseverance bring to life the core values of friendship, mutual cooperation, and respect in sports. Their efforts contribute significantly to the growth and spirit of beach handball, showing that the heart of the sport lies in the unity and shared joy it inspires. We look forward to seeing their continued success and the positive impact they will make in the world of beach handball.
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