Handball in German Schools: How Your Child Can Join a Local Sports Club
Handball is one of the major team sports taught in German schools, offering students opportunities to build fitness, coordination, and teamwork. From physical education classes, teenagers can easily transition into a local sports club (Verein) to develop their skills further and pursue the sport regularly.
During PE lessons or events like the Handball-Grundschulaktionstag, children learn basic skills such as throwing, passing, and dribbling in cooperation with nearby DHB clubs.
This initiative is open to many schools and is coordinated between the school and local handball associations (handball-grundschulaktionstag.de).
Competitions like “Jugend trainiert für Olympia” include handball tournaments for secondary schools and create a motivating competitive environment (dhb.de).
Speak to the PE teacher about existing school–club partnerships.
Many schools collaborate directly with local clubs for coaching and training sessions.
The "Vereinsfinder" on the DHB website helps families find registered handball clubs nearby.
Most clubs offer 1–2 free trial sessions for young players.
Fill out the membership form
Annual club fee: €40–80
Monthly training fee: €20–40
Discounts available through Sozialpass or Bildung und Teilhabe
Regular training 2–3 times per week with licensed coaches
Participation in matches and youth leagues (U12, U14, U16…)
Fitness, teamwork, discipline, and social inclusion
Programs like Kooperation Schule/Verein, funded by regional handball associations, strengthen cooperation between schools and clubs. Registration opens annually around March.
Most club training takes place in school sports halls, making logistics simple.
Your child begins in school sports, then progresses to a local club through school recommendations or the DHB finder. Trial sessions help determine interest, and membership offers structured development and competitive opportunities.
