Norma Goldmann (19) goes to the Bundesliga

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In the summer of 2020, the women’s handball academy started in Cham with a clear goal: the young people must be trained under professional conditions and brought to an international level.

This summer, the first year will complete its three-year internship. And with Norma Goldmann, a youth player from the very beginning makes the jump to the Bundesliga. The 19-year-old backcourt changes from LK Zug to the Bad Wildungen Vipers.

“Norma has made an enormous leap forward athletically, playfully and tactically during her training at the academy,” says Martin Albertsen, who, in addition to his position as national coach, also works as a head coach at the academy in the OYM training center. “This should be the natural development of our training: every player who wants and wants to have a professional career should be given the opportunity – whether in Germany, Switzerland or any other country,” says Albertsen.

The academy not only benefits the 14 players who train there and go to school, but also so-called guest players who only go through one or two training sessions at the OYM.

Nati thrives thanks to the academy

The success of youth work is reflected in the results of the national team after just two and a half years. Last November, the Swiss women played their first major tournament at the European Championship. There were three players from the academy. Albertsen’s selection for the World Cup play-offs in early April now even includes a quintet: Norma Goldmann, Alessia Riner (19), Claire Hartz (17), Nuria Bucher (17) and Nora Snedkerud (18).

“These five players are not just there because they have talent, but because they are among the best handball players in their position. Alessia is number 1 on the left wing for a while,” says Albertsen. With one of the youngest teams in Europe, he wants to against the Czech Republic on April 8 and 11 to qualify for the World Cup in Denmark, Norway and Sweden at the end of the year.

“The Czech Republic was the most difficult part for us. They are the favourites’, says Albertsen about the starting position. “But we have already achieved results at the European Championship against Hungary and Croatia that no one would have thought we were capable of. We can create another surprise, but for that we need the support of our fans in the first leg.”

Source : Blick