The New Zealand handball players have moved through the ranks to give back to their sport, coaching the national under-17 and under-19 women’s teams — and have a large contingent of Dunedin players in tow.
Fourteen players from Dunedin across the two teams will compete at the International Handball Federation Trophy tournament in New Caledonia next week.
Wilson, 20, head coach for under-19 and assistant for under-17, was proud to see Dunedin stamping their mark on the sport.
"It’s awesome because we never have this and we’re always having to travel, whereas now we’re able to have training camps down here."
She started playing at Trinity College through the school league — now the largest in New Zealand with 18 teams — under the guidance of Eoin Murray, who helped start the sport in Dunedin.
Handball created opportunities for her internationally at junior and senior levels, and wanting to give back led her to coach.
"I think we’re quite like a big family. It’s such a nice community to be a part of."
Under-17 head coach and under-19 assistant coach Hamilton agreed, saying he coached to pass the knowledge he gained from his coaches on to others.
"For me it’s also been passing it on ... year to year."
Hamilton, 21, who previously coached in Christchurch and Denmark, believed there were so many Dunedin players due to the opportunities it opened up for them, as it was fully funded.
The pair juggled their duties with their studies.
Wilson is in her last year of nursing, while Hamilton is studying politics and communications.
The teams fly out on Saturday.
