Address: LOCSP, Score, Leyton, London. E10 5JY Telephone: 020 8556 5973 Email: enquiries@locsp.org

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LOCSP Press Release: Wednesday, 2nd July 2008

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme Handball Moves On Up!

With over 40 nations represented by 800 teams and 12,500 participants, the Partille Cup in Sweden is by far the most prestigious of Handball tournaments in the world and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) are represented there thanks to Newham Council and English Handball.

Looking after the ‘Newham Flames’ Boys Under 15s and Girls Under 16s teams in Sweden for the Partille Cup is no mean feat for LOCSP’s Handball Development Officer Miriam Pupalova.

Miriam who will be assisted by LOCSP Sports Development Manager Trevor East on the trip is looking forward to the chance to play against the crème de la crème of Handball teams in the world.

“We had an offer from the English Handball Association and Newham Council to take some teams to Sweden and through our Newham ID Talent team we thought this would be a good opportunity for them to progress further playing teams from all over the world, but mainly Europe and to also gain experience abroad.

“The Partille Cup has a long history with excellent organisation and referees. All the people working with it are very professional and put the emphasis on fun as it isn’t just about the matches – there are opportunities for sightseeing around the local area and the final day is marked by a large disco.

“You go there and see the best teams in the world play and that can only be a positive experience – if they do what they have learnt with a good attitude then they will do well - I want our teams to be able to show what they have learnt, have a good attitude and never give up.

“We are the first team from London going to an international tournament and it is quite a big step for the whole of Handball in London - not just Newham.

“Our teams will be facing the Polish national team and the top teams from Germany, Norway and Sweden – it will be really tough but you want to play the best teams so you can learn.

“Hopefully when they get back they will spread the word about how popular Handball is in Europe as this tournament will be a real eye-opener - the first day sees an opening ceremony with over 12,000 people and I think they will be shocked when they see that.

“Everything is possible in Handball and I want to keep working until Handball is fully developed – then I can put my feet up!”

For more information about the Partille Cup and up-to-the-minute news visit www.partillecup.com

LOCSP run Handball sessions across east London with sessions at Score, Leyton every Friday from 4.30pm – 5.30pm (6-11 Year Olds) and 5.30pm – 6.30pm (12-16 Year Olds) costing just £2 per session.

There are also free Handball sessions at Hainault Youth Centre every Tuesday from 7pm-9pm for 14-19 year olds as part of the ‘Kickz’ programme, as well as more free sessions in Newham at Stratford School every Monday  from 3.15pm – 4.15pm (Primary School pupils) and  4.30pm – 5.30pm (Secondary School pupils) as well as at Eastlea Secondary School every Thursday from 4pm – 5pm (Secondary School pupils) and 5pm – 6pm (Primary School pupils).

For more information about Handball and LOCSP please call 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

To read a case study about Miriam's work click HERE.

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