At Fossombroni, the sports program never stops. In November 2021, high school students taking part in a two-year course had the chance to learn about several new disciplines, including beach handball.
Alongside their teachers, Gabriella Corzani, Silvia Madioni, Alessia Gioè, and Stefano Rosini, the students were joined by local sports associations from the town of Grosseto, in Tuscany, who provided equipment and expertise. Amedeo Gabbrielli, the head of the school’s sports department, believes these initiatives have greatly enriched the students’ experience.
The program has focused on sports that take place on the beach or in the water, such as rowing, kayaking, beach bocce, beach volleyball, and of course, beach handball.
High school is a formative time for many athletes, and any chance to take part in a new sport could lead to a lifelong passion. Beach handball in particular has exploded in popularity among youth since its introduction to the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.
The 2018 Games, which took place in Buenos Aires, were the first time many people had seen the sport being played, and led to a huge rise in the popularity of beach handball, especially among younger athletes.
For the students of Fossombroni, this experience may lead to a newfound love of beach handball, and possibly, if they’re truly committed, even a chance at participating in future Olympic games. After all, Italy is the birthplace of the sport. With the country set to host the EBT finals for the next three years, they will no doubt have many more opportunities to play beach handball.
