Talented handball players from 10 European countries gathered alongside the EHF EURO 2022. At the Respect Your Talent Camp, co-conducted by the European Handball Federation (EHF) & TWIN, they were given the unique opportunity to work with former stars of the game.
From 20-22 January, the Respect Your Talent Camp 2022 was held in Budapest. While Europe’s best teams are battling for a medal on the court, some of the biggest male talents on the continent are investing in their off-court development to advance their young handball careers, being supported by the Respect Your Talent ambassadors Carlos Prieto (Spain), Laszlo Nagy (Hungary), Vid Kavticnik (Slovenia) and Stefan Lövgren (Sweden).
All connected
The didactical approach of Respect Your Talent, designed by TWIN, elevates the concept of role models. Promoting the holistic development of young players’ careers, handball stars pass on their unique knowledge to the future generation of European handball. In collaboration with leading field experts such as Maria Grunwald, Simona Margetic, Andreas Joklik, Hans Holdhaus, Bojana Jelicic, and Respect Your Talent co-creator Wolfgang Stockinger, the ambassadors held a set of interactive training sessions, covering the topics Dual Career, Mental Fitness, Media, Anti-Doping and Sports Law.
In the programme’s belief, this approach contributes to both sustainable pathways and athletic performance as systematic off-court development substantially impacts personal and sporting developments.
“We recognize the need to support young players in their challenging development stage. The unique setting with ambassadors sharing their experiences and passion for handball with the young players is the best way to inspire and prepare them for their pro career.”
Michael Wiederer, EHF President
Having just retired last summer, former EHF Champions League winner Vid Kavticnik is aware of the importance of these topics for young players:
“I am happy and proud to be part of the ambassadors team where we are all trying to help and shape young handball diamonds. I strongly believe that this program is a game changer for many of the talents on their mission to become a pro player.”
This approach seems to have substantially resonated with the talented players in Budapest:
“I think that via this camp I developed some skills that will definitely help me off and on-court. These 3 days were great and I hope that there will be more camps in the future because this was a big opportunity for us to improve our careers and success.”
Alexandru Mihai Pasca, Romania
Class of 2021 members shine at EURO
Some of the players who have been part of our Respect Your Talent activities in 2021 have already made it to the highest level of European handball. Tamas Smetanka (Slovakia), Marko Mitev (North Macedonia), Ihar Bialiausk and Kyril Samoila (Belarus) can be seen on the courts of the EHF EURO 2022.
