Team Canada with their bronze medals in Mexico City. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19) and Sheldon Spackman

an extraordinary experience

Central Albertans win bronze at junior handball championship in Mexico

Apr 14, 2022 | 9:35 AM

Two central Alberta teens recently won bronze for Canada at the North America and Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) Jr. Women’s Championship.

The tournament was played April 4-8 at the Mexican Olympic Sports Centre in Mexico City, and served as a qualifier for the junior world championship this summer in Slovenia.

The top two teams, Mexico and the USA, would advance, but it was still an amazing opportunity for Bentley School’s Kesaly Von Kuster, a Grade 12 student, and Elyse Borys, a Grade 11 student at St. Joseph High School in Red Deer.

The pair, who are both members of the Central Alberta Handball Club, were joined by three other Alberta girls, and 11 from Quebec.

“We knew going down that the teams we were facing, the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, were U20 level, and we’re U18, so it may be difficult. It was a bit nerve-wracking in the end, but also super exciting,” says Borys. “I’ve played in other countries before and every time it’s a different playing style. But I knew once we all connected, it would be good.”

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When the national U18 team held its first practice just a couple weeks ago, it was also their first time all meeting, notes Von Kuster.

“I love handball because it’s unique and different,” she says. “At Bentley, I’ve played as many sports as possible, and handball is kind of a mixture of all of them. It’s awesome.”

Handball Canada was founded in 1962, while indoor handball was introduced to the Summer Olympics in 1972. The undisputed top nation in the world is France with five Olympic medals, including three gold. A variation called goalball is competed at the Paralympics.

The sport is one where two teams of typically seven players per side pass a ball with their hands while trying to throw it in the opposing team’s net. The ball is most similar to a soccer ball or volleyball, but typically on the smaller side as it must be held with one hand.

Team Canada at the Plaza Olimpica Don Mario Vazquez Raña in Mexico City. (Supplied)

“I think I’ll remember the aura and the positivity the most,” says Von Kuster of the tournament. She plans to attend the University of Alberta, but could consider options in Europe or the US if handball is available. “I’ll remember cheering each other on, and how happy all of us were to have won.”

Von Kuster led her home squad in central Alberta in scoring this past season and was voted by the league’s coaches as MVP.

Borys, meantime, says the experience changed her, which is something she’s grateful for.

“Being able to go to all these places and play handball has been great,” she says. “It’s also been a way to express myself and find some comfort in the sport during these times. I’m proud of making it to Mexico, and getting to have that moment.”

Canada lost 25-22 to the US in game one, then beat Puerto Rico 32-12, and lost to Mexico 31-17.

In the bronze medal match (watch here), a rematch with Puerto Rico, Canada won 34-16.