HANDBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Former St Matthew’s Collegiate students Kianna and Cassandra Dawson will represent New Zealand at the Oceania beach handball world cup qualifying series in Australia in June.
However, Kianna’s decision to commit to the series on the Gold Coast was not an easy one.
The talented 18-year-old has played an important role in Dalefield winning the 2020 and 2021 Wellington premier women’s hockey titles and is set to take up a hockey scholarship with the Connecticut University in July.
Two days after her selection in the national beach handball squad Kianna was invited to play for the South team in the Junior North vs South hockey series for Under-21 players, a three-game series recognised as a stepping stone for the Junior Black Sticks development squad.
Kianna said it was a tough decision to make because she would be losing a great opportunity either way.
“In the end I decided the two-year campaign with handball, training and building up with the squad was worth the sacrifice,” Kianna said.
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“I felt I owed the handball team my commitment as I had worked hard to learn and improve my game and I couldn’t let them down.
“With going to America for a hockey scholarship, I knew I had a plenty of hockey ahead.
“The possibility of competing in Greece at the worlds for handball is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Kianna was introduced to handball — the beach and indoor versions — through sister Cassandra, 21, who picked up the sport while studying at Otago University.
She has since gone on to represent Otago in the beach handball nationals and plays indoor handball for a Wellington club.
Kianna’s talent was recognised early and that led to her inclusion in the national training squads.
Her good form at the beach handball nationals sealed her place in the 10-strong squad for the Oceania qualifying series, likely to involve just three games against the Australians, with the winners heading to Crete for the world championships in July.
“I’m playing on the wing, and my goal is to score, so I have to work on decision-making at the line before I shoo, and consistency with my shots. On the wing, you’re often spinning so I have to get variation in my spin so I can’t be dive-blocked,” Kianna said.
Beach handball differs from the indoor variety, with only four players on court at a time, and with the goalkeeper coming forward when the team is on attack.
If the goalkeeper scores, two points are awarded, compared to a normal goal scored by an outfielder which earns a point.
The game is played over two 10-minute periods [sets], with each scored separately.
If both periods are won by the same team, they win 2-0, but if the scores are tied, a shootout is held to find the winners.
Australia have competed at the past four world championships with a best placing of eighth and Kianna expects a tough battle to get to Greece.
“Australia generally are pretty strong, and they have a lot more beaches and it’s a lot more popular. But this has been a two-year campaign, and I think it will be a real even match.”
Before heading to Coolangatta, Kianna will continue to play for her beloved Dalefield in the Wellington Premier Women’s Championship.
