The Royal Belgian Handball Federation announced the election of a new President. From 1 August, Jean-Francois Hannosset will succeed current president Piet Moons. 

Hannosset comes from a background as a player and coach, which began more than 30 years ago. Hannosset started as a player with Villers 59, before becoming a coach for Waterloo in 2008. From there, he progressed to the position of Technical Director, while also coaching the U12 team at Floreffe. 

In 2013, at the request of coach Yérime Sylla, Hannosset joined the technical staff of the men’s national team. On an administrative level, Hannosset has served for almost 10 years with the Ligue Francophone de Handball and been part of the joint governing body of Belgian handball for six. 

“Since I first came into contact with handball as a student at the Saint-Servais College in Liège, where Jean Philippe Dubuc managed physical education, I have been very fond of it. After my active player career, it has become a passion – first as a trainer, then as technical director and soon as chairman. It shows that people with a healthy ambition, with motivation and perseverance are able to set things in motion,” said Hannosset. 

Hannosset prioritises growth and continued development as his key goals going forward, while emphasising the team aspect of handball and how that also applies in the workings of a federation. 

“I would like to get more people to play handball so that our handball family continues to grow. The further development of youth handball is another ambition. I notice as coach of the U12 from Floreffe how much fun the sport brings and, at the same time, how the boys are hungry,” said Hannosset. 

“At the same time, those players also inspire me. Just look at the ‘Red Wolves’ [men’s national team] where youth stands up, where young players get opportunities and seize, where young players take responsibility. I hope that the ‘Black Arrows’ [women’s national team] continue during my presidency – that we can find the means to offer the girls the same opportunities. But I am also a realist. Let us proceed step by step without making bold statements.” 

Moons announced last year that he would step down from being President due to health problems, after holding the position since 2016. One of his most prominent achievements was the successful mutual cooperation between the Flemish Handball Association and the Ligue Francophone de Handball. 

End of competitions 2019/2020

The Royal Belgian Handball Union, the Vlaamse Handbal Vereniging and the Francophone Handball League have decided, after mutual consultation, that next season in the national, regional and provincial series, there will only be amounts and no descendants . In the weeks and months to come, an in-depth reform of the competition system will be undertaken.
 
After the three federations concerned decided last week to stop all competitions at any level with immediate effect, the next step was to determine how to end these competitions. In times of crisis, exceptional measures apply. This is what was decided:
 
   * There will only be amounts. No team will be relegated.
      Consequently, a reform of the competitions will have to be worked out for the 2020-2021 season. Details will be announced on April 3.

Schedule

Saturday – 23.11.2019 @ KA2, Koning Boudewijnlaan 12 – 3500 Hasselt 10.00 AM : Appointment 10.30 AM – 12.30 PM : Training Lunch 1.00 PM – 2.00 PM : Test taking 2.30 PM – 4.30 PM : Training

Sunday – 24.11.2019 @ KA2, Koning Boudewijnlaan 12 – 3500 Hasselt 10.00 AM : Appointment 10.30 AM – 12.30 PM : Training Lunch 2.00 PM – 4.00 PM : Training

Player selection

Antonissen Emma (HV Uilenspiegel) Bobbink Rosalie (Achilles Bocholt) Boiten Mirthe (V&L – NED) Brys Xanne (HC Schoten) Coenen Julie (Hestia Bilzen) Coomans Hanne (HBC Evergem) De Backer Kato (HV Uilenspiegel) De Loose Loeka (DHW Antwerpen) Dierieckx Lisa (DHC Waasmunster) Dubuc Charlotte (HC Sprimont)

Evens Louise (DHW Antwerpen) Fierens Janne (HC Leuven 2019) Hermans Fien (HB Sint-Truiden) Maesen Esther (Achilles Bocholt) Neyens Imani (V&L Geleen) Stroeckx Janne (HC Leuven 2019) Tack Femke (HBC Izegem) Thoelen Caitlin (GBSK) Verschuere Mila (HC Schoten)

Schedule

Friday – 22.11.2019 Start to Octeville-sur-Mer (FRA)

Saturday – 23.11.2019 12.00 AM – 13.30 PM : Training 8.30 PM : Belgium Vs Senegal

Sunday – 24.11.2019 10.00 AM – 12.00 AM : Training Come back to Belgium

Player selection

Aerts Elise (Geonius/V&L – NED) Antonissen Katrijn (HV Uilenspiegel) Antonissen Nele (Octeville-sur-mer – FRA) Beckers Lauranne (KTSV Eupen) Boons Fien (Fémina Visé) Buelens Sien (HV Uilenspiegel) Förster Gella (KTSV Eupen) Geraets Hanne (HV Uilenspiegel)

Herenger Lili (HBCSA – FRA) Macours Karen (HB Sint-Truiden) Remels Femke (HB Sint-Truiden) Smits Aaricia (Tigers Waiblingen – GER) Smits Munia (HSG Blomberg-Lippe – GER) Van Damme Mante (DHC Waasmunster) Verschuuren Clara (Entente Noisy Gagny – FRA) Verschuuren Marlies (Geonius/V&L – NED)