The European Handball Federation and German Sport University Cologne have signed an agreement to extend their partnership until 2021 ©EHF/Bopp

The European Handball Federation (EHF) and German Sport University Cologne have extended their partnership which produces the European Handball Manager Programme until 2021.

The partnership between the two organisations began four years ago when the European Handball Manager Programme was launched.

The programme is a one-year training course that aims to educate handball managers on topics such as economics, management, governance, law, marketing and communication.

Participants are provided with e-learning courses and self-study teaching material.

A total of 73 managers have taken part in the programme so far, with 89 percent successfully completing it. 

Training programmes for handball referees and coaches have existed for many years but this has not been the case for managers.

The European Handball Manager Programme educates managers on topics such as economics, management, governance, law, marketing and communication ©Getty Images
The European Handball Manager Programme educates managers on topics such as economics, management, governance, law, marketing and communication ©Getty Images

"Together with the German Sport University Cologne, we don’t just want to continue the very successful European Handball Manager Programme, but also develop additional educational and training programmes," said EHF President Michael Wiederer.

The EHF and German Sport University Cologne officially signed the agreement to extend their partnership during the game between Germany and Croatia at the International Handball Federation Men's World Championships. 

"We are very grateful to the EHF for the trust and the support throughout the last four years," Stefan Walzel, academic director of the European Handball Manager Programme, added. 

"This gives us encouragement and motivation for the future."