The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] congratulates all the teams which participated in the u16 National Championships held during 25-26 July 2009 at Sportz Central, Coffs Harbour [New South Wales].

Boys and girls teams of New South Wales [NSW] Handball Association and Australian Capital Territory [ACT] Handball Association, and girls team of Queensland Handball Association participated in the championships.

All the teams put in spirited performance and each game was strongly fought. In the boys division, the New South Wales Boys Team decidedly won the championship by winning the three preliminary games and the final game against the ACT Boys Team.  The ACT Boys Team nevertheless showcased some impressive play in its first championship.  During the final game, the ACT Boys Team went goal-for-goal for most of the first half and in the second half its offensive play got within one goal of NSW.  However, the NSW Boys Team showed its strength by widening the goal margin, with the final score being NSW 21 – ACT 14.

Queensland Girls Team put in good performance however it lost its matches against the ACT Girls Team and the New South Wales Girls Team.  Its strongest play was at the opening game against the ACT Girls Team, losing only by two goals [12:14].  NSW Girls Team and the ACT Girls Team had equally good performance in the preliminary games and fought hard in the final game.

During a very thrilling final match, victory was within reach of the ACT Girls Team by dominating the final game and leading by four goals [8:4] in the first half.  However, this victory was snatched back by the NSW Girls Team in the dying seconds of the game, with the final score being NSW 12 ACT 11.