The XIX Women’s Handball World Championship in Jiangsu, China

Featuring the Australian Women’s Handball Team and Cathy Kent, Goalkeeper

Interviewed by Deborah Swain for Mondo China

It has not been long since China was the toast of the world for the very successful staging of the 2008 Olympics Games. This year, it is once again the focus of the sport world as it hosts another significant sport event.

The XIX Women’s Handball World Championship will be held in Jiangsu, China during 5th – 20th December 2009. Jiangsu is a province in the east part of China, near Shanghai, the biggest city of China. The six host cities for the Championship are as follows:  Nanjing, Changzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Zhangjiagang.

The world championship will be contested by twenty four countries, including China itself. One of the advantages in the event being held in China is the further strengthening of handball in Asia.

The Australian Women’s Team is representing Australia and the Oceania Region in the World Championship. Following an email exchange with Cathy Kent, the Team’s Goalkeeper, I am glad to introduce to our readers Cathy and the Australian Women’s Handball Team. I am sharing with you Cathy’s responses to a number of questions posed by Mondo China.

MC: What is the significance to the Australian Women’s Team of its participation in the World Championship?

CK: It is a great honour for us to be able to participate at the World Championships, one we are very grateful for. Handball in Australia is a very young and developing sport. For us to play against the best countries in the world is an invaluable experience.

MC: As a team from a developing handball country, what are the benefits will it obtain from participating in a tournament involving stronger and more experienced teams?

CK: This World Championship will be a massive challenge for our team which is very young and we do not have the same level of experience or support as the other nations have. However, we will give it our best shot and take back with us the experience of playing at a high level, as part of the development of our players. The skills we learn would also be passed on to the other players back in Australia.

MC: Describe your path in becoming a member of the Team and participating in international and world championships.

CK: This World Championships will be my 4th for Australia. I have played in the World Champs in Croatia ‘03, Russia ‘05, France ‘07 and now China ‘09.

I left Australia to play in Europe over 8 years ago. I have played in Hungary, Denmark, Sweden and now I currently play in France for Cergy-Pontoise.

I left to play in Europe to experience and live in the Handball World. I do this not only to develop as a player, but also to get the most experience and to be the strongest I can be for the Australian Women’s National Team.

MC: Describe in general terms the participation of Australia in previous WCs and in particular your own performance.

CK: The last World Championships in France ’07 was our best so far. We came close to achieving our team goals in the President’s Cup. The world champs in France, was the most memorable for me because in the 1st round I received the ‘Best Player Award’ when Australia played against Macedonia. A prize that has never been given to an Australian in the 1st round before, so I am very proud of this. I believe that was the best the Australian women’s handball team that had played at a World Champs before.

Our Team now may not be the best or the most experienced team in the world, but we are young, energetic and we fight for everything and we never give up. We are certainly very excited and looking forward to our participation in this important sport event.

MC: Where do you see the Team/yourself in five years time? Longer term?

CK: In 5 years time, I hope that the Australian Women’s Handball Team is a team other handball nations take notice of . I believe if we stick to our Team goals, that this is achievable.. I hope that we find a sponsor to help us in our journey. At present, the Australian team is the only team competing at this world championships where the players have very limited funding and that they pay their own way to represent their country.

MC: Do you wish to make other comments?

CK: This will be my first time I go to China. I am looking forward to playing in China and experiencing the Chinese culture.