Last week, we came together at Loughborough College, home of the Elite Performance Academy, to mark the end of another incredible year. Athletes from this season’s cohort were joined by parents, club representatives, and coaching staff to celebrate the journey we’ve taken together.
It was a special moment to look back on everything achieved during the 2024 to 2025 season. Our athletes once again took part in over 200 training sessions, covering Handball and Strength & Conditioning, while developing the wider attributes needed to become elite athletes. They’ve deepened their understanding of Nutrition, Psychology, Video Analysis, and Lifestyle Management, all while progressing through their college studies.
This year, Raluca Leoveanu was awarded EPA Athlete of the Year for her outstanding commitment to training, her personal growth, and her contribution to the group. Raluca has shown real character, leadership, and hunger to develop. She is always coachable and humble, and she never stops striving to improve. A very worthy winner.
We also celebrated the graduation of four outstanding athletes who have now completed their two-year journey with us:
- Arrabella Goodwill, originally from Olympia Cannock Handball Club, spent her EPA years playing for Loughborough Handball Club and Nottingham Handball Club.
- Emmron Bwanswa, from Carshalton Titans Handball Club, also played for Nottingham Handball Club during his time here.
- Sebastien Sirot, who began with West London Eagles, has played the past two seasons for Nottingham Handball Club.
- Guro Sundby, who joined us from Norway as part of an exchange programme, combined her studies at Loughborough College with playing for Loughborough Handball Club.
These four now join the ranks of 27 former graduates who have completed the programme since the Elite Performance Academy launched in September 2020 with just nine athletes. In September 2025, we welcome our biggest intake yet, with 37 athletes, a clear sign of the programme’s growth and impact.
Each graduate carries with them not just training hours but the lived experience of what it means to be an elite athlete. We hope the knowledge, habits, and values they’ve developed will continue to shape their futures, whether in Handball or in other areas of life.
Their journeys are part of the wider story of English Handball’s progression, from grassroots to performance level. The EPA is an important part of this system and has contributed directly to the recent successes of our national teams at youth and senior levels, both male and female.
We are proud of every one of them. Wherever they go next, whether continuing their education or taking their talent abroad or within England, they will always be part of the EPA family.
We want to thank all those who support this programme. Special thanks go to Loughborough College, our growing EPA coaching team, and the clubs that first nurtured and then welcomed these athletes during their time with us.
As the 2024 to 2025 season comes to a close, we are already looking ahead with excitement. September will see us start our biggest cohort to date, training on Loughborough College’s brand new, full-size handball court. The future is bright and we cannot wait to get started.
English