The University of Huddersfield’s Handball Club coach, Ilona Loewnau, has been named Female Coach of the Year by the England Handball Association at their annual club conference in Leicester.

The award follows two successful seasons with the club, during which she helped the men’s team earn numerous successes including winning the University Northern Division, coming runners-up in the Northern Development League, and finishing fifth in the National University Championships.

Having been without a coach after founder, Mohamed Hasan, graduated and returned to Bahrain, Ilona agreed to take over the role after meeting club President, Chris Ireland, while on a refereeing course. 

Ilona proved to be an invaluable asset and helped the team achieve some fantastic results within a short space of time. She became a great leader; skilfully integrating experienced players and beginners in an approach that left no one behind.

Thanks to Ilona, the team dominated in the Association of British University Handball Clubs’ Northern Championships this year, winning all 10 of their fixtures to gain the title and subsequently qualifying for the national championships in which they came fifth.

After two successful years with the club, Ilona is hanging up her boots and moving away from the north of England. The Handball Club and the Students’ Union wish her continued success for the future in her handball coaching career.