England Handball has welcomed Harriet Barker as their new National Manager – Club and Community Development, a role she officially began on 2nd December 2024. Harriet’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for the organisation as it seeks to grow the sport’s grassroots presence and strengthen club networks across the country.
With a strong academic background and extensive experience in sports development, Harriet brings a wealth of expertise to the role. Her previous work with Hoci Cymru saw her champion innovative community programmes and collaborate with schools, local authorities, and clubs to make hockey more inclusive. From creating holiday camps to fostering local partnerships, Harriet has built her career on the belief that sport has the power to transform lives.
“I’m thrilled to be joining England Handball at such an exciting time,” Harriet said. “Developing sport is not just my job—it’s my passion. I’ve seen first-hand how access to sport can empower individuals, bring communities together, and create opportunities for people from all walks of life. Handball has so much potential to inspire and engage, and I’m committed to being part of the mission to make it accessible and sustainable for everyone.”
Harriet has joined a dedicated team of sports development professionals, working collaboratively to build and support clubs, increase participation, and create lasting change through social impact projects. Her strong academic foundation and deep understanding of policy and strategy in physical activity and sport have been successfully applied throughout her career already and she is keen to bring this to Handball. Harriet’s commitment to equal opportunities in sport runs through everything she does, and she is determined to use her skills and experience to help England Handball expand its reach.
“For me, this role is about more than just growing a sport,” Harriet added. “It’s about creating lasting change—helping clubs thrive, empowering communities, and ensuring that everyone has the chance to be part of something bigger through handball. I’m honoured to play a part in that mission.”
Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the sport. Participation is growing, but challenges remain, from securing funding to building stronger local networks. With her drive, expertise, and passion for making sport accessible to all, Harriet is ready to take on these challenges and help steer handball towards a bright and inclusive future.
Director of Handball, Ricardo Vasconcelos comments: “We are very happy to welcome Harriet to the team. With the main goal to support our clubs and develop initiatives to positively impact people and communities, Harriet’s skill set and expertise are a great addition to our organisation. We are looking forward her journey with us, and to keep positively impacting the development of our sport.”
The England Handball community is excited to see the impact Harriet will have, as she comes aboard the team to take handball to the next level.
If you would like to get in contact with Harriet, her information is below:
Email: harriet.barker@englandhandball.com
Phone: 074428 87107
English