Handball's John Pearce and Kathryn Fudge

Handball is a largely unknown sport in the United Kingdom. However, it is huge in the rest of Europe, especially Denmark and Germany. With the 2012 Olympics just around the corner, Britain's handball talent are preparing to compete at the games as well as trying to raise the profile of the sport on these shores.

Sportsvibe caught up with two of handballs brightest stars, John Pearce, a young flanker from the Aarhus Academy and Kathryn Fudge, also from the Aarhus Academy for a quick chat about the sport among other things…….


How did you get into handball?

JP: Through UK sport's and British handball's talent identification programme (ITD) in 2007, after replying to an application form put on Loughborough University's rugby club notice board.

KF: I came into it through the sporting giants campaign, which my mum read about in the paper. It was looking for sporty people who were really tall to compete in the Olympics, and me being 183cm, I thought it sounded like it would be good, and so I filled it in, went to the trials and got through.


Tell us a bit about the sport handball?

JP: It's fast, physical and extremely skillfull. It's a 7-a-side game on a 40m by 20m court with a goal at either end.

KF: Well it's like water polo but without the water (played on a court) there are six outfield players and a goal keeper, and it's a fast, end to end game which is very physical.


What characteristics do you need to be a good handball player?

JP: Good awareness of space and other players (peripheral vision), speed, balance and power.

KF: You have to be strong, quick, agile and not be afraid of a bit of contact.


What is the best thing about your sport?

JP: Scoring.

KF: Everybody on the court is involved, and it's a fast end to end game.


Who, if you have one, is your biggest inspiration in your sport?

JP: A number of players, I take inspiration from lots of different players to try and incorporate the best parts of their game into mind. Luc Abalo (France) for his physical capabilities and free style of play, Lars Christiansen (Denmark) for his technical ability and finishing.


Do you admire anybody outside of your own sport?

JP: There are many examples of people I admire outside of my sport such as Jonah Lomu a player who single handedly changed the sport he played. Usain Bolt for the same reason. Also I admire Richard Hill, (ex England Rugby player) who in my opinion was the ultimate team player and performer.


Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

JP: I force myself to break any superstitions I have.


Tell us about your training schedule? What does it involve and how does it change, i.e before a match or tournament?

JP: I normally train twice a day everyday for handball. Then I try to fit my conditioning work in between.

KF: Standard days include handball training twice a day, along with the gym three times a week, along with matches at weekends, and sometimes mid-week. The actual training itself changes before matches due to working on tactics on how the other team will play, and how we need to play to beat them.

What is the most memorable moment in your career to date?

JP: Perhaps playing against Montpellier with 3 Olympic Gold medalists in their side. Or maybe playing in the Limburg Cup in front of a full stadium.

KF: Well I think it will have to be scoring against France in October.


What do you want to achieve next in your sport? What are your goals?

JP: I want to be selected for my club's first team on a regular basis and I want to consistently score 6 goals a game regardless of the opposition I face.


What was the best performance of your career so far?

JP: Probably scoring 4 goals against Greece or playing against Belgium and Luxembourg in the Challenge Trophy.


Handball is big in Europe and the USA, why hasn't it really taken off here?

KF: I honestly don't think it's had a real chance yet, it is played in the UK but not as much as other sports. I think the fact that it's not on the curriculum at school is a reason, as when you start sports it's usually at school, and if it's not being played at school it is preventing it taking off, and people being interested in it. As a spectator sport, I think given the chance it will do.


Do you think handball has what it takes to be big in the UK in the future?

KF: Yes definately, it's an indoor sport and so the rain won't prevent it from being played, and all you need is a court, two nets and a ball.


What do the Olympic Games being held in London do for handball in the UK?

KF: It will be a massive boost for handball as it will allow people in the UK to see what handball is all about.


What are your targets at the Olympic Games?

KF: To be competitive and win a match.

JP: As a team to be competitive with the top nations at the 2012 games, individually to do everything I can to make the team goal happen.


If you hadn't of been a handball player what would you have been?

JP: I'm not sure probably involved in sport in someway or another most likely as a frustrated rugby player.

KF: Possibly playing some other sport somewhere?


What music, if any, do you listen to when training?

JP: Only when doing physical or conditioning training I find it helps me to get to the next level. Normally anything with a high tempt. Hip-hop, rap or indie rock.

KF: I'm quite a fan of the Libertines and dance music.


What do you do on a day off/in your spare time?

JP: I like to spend time with friends or just relax and do nothing. It's hard in Denmark to fully relax as I share a room so it can be difficult sometimes to get time to yourself.

KF: Mostly just chilling out, watching films and catching up with friends.


If you had 24 hours to live, how would you spend it?

JP: I would spend it living with consequence.

KF: Having fun with the people who mean the most to me.


What is your favourite film?

JP: The Matrix or Remember the Titans.

KF: There isn't really just one film, Top Gun, Green Street or One Fine Day.


What is the funniest thing you've read/heard about yourself in the media?

JP: A friend made a group on the internet 'The John Pearce appreciation society' some of the stuff on there is pretty ridiculous.