The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] is pleased to announce the appointment of Taip Ramadani as the Senior Men’s Head Coach.

Taip brings into the coaching position skills and experience from a handball career spanning more than twenty years.  His career involved playing for clubs in Australia, Hungary, Norway and Qatar.  He has played over 240 games for Australia between 1993 and 2005, after which he had a brief time off from the national team.  In 2008, Taip was convinced to be part of the Men’s Team which won the Qualification Tournament for the 2009 World Championship.  He successfully combined the role of playing as Pivot and Assistant Coach to the Men’s Team at the 2009 World Championship.

The highlights of Taip’s handball career include being member of the team that won Australia’s first game at the World Championship finals in 2003; competing in European Cup competition with Drammen HK; participating in four World Championships and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Taip started coaching in NSW more than ten years ago and continued working with junior teams during his stay in Norway. On his return to Australia he started coaching the Canberra Handball Club and the ACT men’s team.  Last year he assisted Head Coach Morten Fjelstad in preparing the team for the World Championships.

Inspired by the passionate play and much improved performance of the Men’s Team in the 2009 World Championship, Taip has sought the role of Head Coach.  He has embraced the mission of the Men’s Team to continue making a mark in the handball world through successfully representing Oceania Region in world championships and other international tournaments.

Taip is in the process of finalising the long-term strategy and plan for the Men’s Team further development.  For the immediate, the goal is to put into action the “Towards Sweden 2011” Plan.

AHF takes this opportunity to thank Morten Fjeldstad for his valuable services as Head Coach to the Men’s Team which successfully participated in the 2007 and 2009 World Championships.  At the close of the 2009 World Championship, Morten announced that due to other commitments he was not seeking re-appointment to the position but offered to assist the team management with continued mentoring to the players.

As Taip takes over the role of Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Team, AHF wishes him all the best.

For further information, please contact the AHF Media & Public Relations Officer, Violi Calvert by email: public.relations@handballaustralia.org.au. or by phone:

+ 61 408 22 77 94.