This summer, the handball community witnesses the next generation of talent shine at the W19 EHF EURO and EHF Championship events.
Alongside the on-court action, the Respect Your Talent programme has been in full swing, offering young players invaluable mentorship and resources to help them transition from promising athletes to professional stars.
The programme’s summer “Player of the Match Events”, co-created by the European Handball Federation (EHF) and TWIN, bring together over 300 young players with a lineup of legendary ambassadors. Newcomers like five-time EHF Champions League winner Katrine Lunde, EHF FINAL4 2023 MVP Anna Vyakhireva, and 2013 IHF World Champion Barbara Arenhart joined experienced mentors such as Ana Gros and Anja Althaus.
These seasoned players shared personal stories and practical advice, emphasizing that talent is just the starting point, and young athletes need to be proactive in their career development approach.
“I’m really happy to be here. I just love to see the young players who have energy, and you see that is glowing in their eyes. All these players here have talent, but this is not enough. They need to take the responsibility and work to further develop their skills, as a player and as a person, to try new stuff and to become something in order to achieve their dreams.”
Katrine Lunde
The RYT App: Talents’ digital guide
A key element of the programme’s modern approach is the Respect Your Talent App, a digital tool designed to support players with the “game around the game.” The app (available for download on both the App Store and Google Play Store) provides a wealth of specialized training sessions and resources covering crucial off-court topics like nutrition, mental fitness, dual career, and anti-doping. This holistic approach helps players understand the many factors that impact their performance and long-term career.
The app’s resources aren’t just for RYT members; anyone can download it to access this valuable information. Ambassadors have also been using the platform to lead webinars and Q&A sessions. Ana Gros noted that this is a chance to give back and learn from the next generation:
“I met a lot of young girls. You see a bit what they are struggling with and what are the main things that interest them, so we also learn at the same time, of course.”
The personal connections made during the RYT sessions leave a lasting impact. Liubov Rosokha, a U19 champion from Ukraine, said that hearing Anja Althaus’s real-life stories gave her “new motivation and helped me see things differently.” This is the core of Respect Your Talent: to inspire and empower players by showing them that every mistake is part of the journey and that with passion and hard work, they can create their own careers.
