The recent Emerging Nations Championship win in Vaarna was arguably the greatest achievement for handball in our country, as it saw Great Britain’s maiden international tournament victory. The sport has come a long way since its post-Olympic boom in 2012, and heads now turn to how Great Britain can continue to develop to bring further success.
The 2025 Emerging Nations Championship was a defining moment for many members of the squad personally, none more so than pivot, Ollie Tyler, who played a crucial role in the squad throughout the competition. From youth player to international starter, Tyler has experienced every level of English handball. Now competing in Europe, he shares his insights on the sport’s growth in Britain and what lies ahead for both himself and the national team.
The progression of Great Britain as a competitive handball nation has been marked by the Emerging Nations Championship performances. Regular improvements between 2015 and 2019 saw the team come 9th, 11th and then 4th but taking the final leap remained the ultimate obstacle. Winning the Championship was a reflection of years of dedication and that moment held great significance. Ollie commented: “It was a fantastic achievement. One that I think really demonstrates the progress that the team has shown.”
Tyler played in the 2019 event where the result had been taken as a large positive stepping stone, but a different mentality was present in 2025. Tyler said: “The expectation going into this was that we are here to win. I think we would have been a bit disappointed within ourselves if we hadn’t achieved the victory that we did. That doesn’t take away from how amazing it felt, because you still have to follow through.”
It was not always smooth sailing in the tournament. A heavy 35-22 group stage drubbing, at the hands of eventual finalists Bulgaria, threatened to derail the project. Yet, a resounding comeback victory against a strong USA side in the semi-finals restored confidence and Tyler believes that overcoming adversity only improved the feelings of accomplishment stating: “We were pumped in that game [against Bulgaria]. So, it made it that much sweeter that we were able to turn it around through different analysis and strategy that the coaches gave, but just in terms of mentality, we sort of drew upon ourselves when we were in that situation for the semi-final and final. So, it was very very special.”
The role of coaching staff in a team’s success can sometimes be understated, but the positive environment created by coaches in the Great Britain camp was evident. Tyler was quick to pile praise on the influence his mentors in the side had and the cohesion they had fostered: “It was so nice to do this with the team that we did. The coaching staff are phenomenal. They’re the big reason why we’ve come from where we were in 2019, being really happy to finish fourth, to a situation where the expectation is to win. That is fundamentally down to them and the platform they’ve given us to able to achieve. They put in work to improve us as players to ultimately make our lives really simple.”
It appears that shared belief and trust has spread through the squad, manufacturing a team that wants to work hard for each other and that enjoys their time together. The 27-year-old went onto say that “a lot of the players are friends off the court and spend time socialising outside of the handball context which creates a really tight bond. I think that bond is something that’s definitely helping us.”
The importance of coaching and squad unity are two principles that appear to be at the core of Ollie Tyler’s game and ones that he has carried with him from his experiences in handball youth teams. Initially taking up the sport at 13, Tyler joined local club Deva where his spark for the game began.
His earliest coaches were Mark King, Gary Carlson and Steve Jameson and they are credited for developing such a strong love of the game in the infancy of Ollie’s handball journey. Tyler said: “The culture of the club was very much to give young players freedom and a platform to ultimately just go and enjoy themselves. I think by having that at a young age developed my love for the sport because I had such a fantastic time playing there. It also gave me confidence in terms of understanding how I want to play and working on different things in a context in which I knew was very safe.”
Later on, during his move to Warrington, Ollie progressed and was starting to break into the national teams in his late teens. In the process of refining his game and finding his position, the young pivot discovered a specific personal guide that inspired his attitude to the sport on the court.
Bill McDermott was pivot for the men’s GB side that competed at the Olympics and had played at a high level for teams in Europe. Commenting on McDermott’s influence Tyler said: “A lot of my own game was based around the way he [McDermott] played because of his defensive attitude. He was an excellent defender, and I think that’s what I pride myself on first and foremost as a defender at heart. He really helped me develop that sense.”
Work commitments led the Crewe born player to relocate to the capital where London Great Dane welcomed him. There he met Zoran Lukacs, who is now the men’s under 20’s national coach. Lukacs helped apply the final developments to a well-rounded defensive game, readying Tyler for his latest challenge, stepping up to compete with Europe’s elite handball players in Germany.
Though handball experiences lower levels of funding in the UK compared to handballing giants in Europe, the level of coaching has been exemplary for many, including Ollie Tyler. The Englishman is keen to emphasise the quality of the coaching he and others have been able to receive in the UK despite of the difficulties the sport faces, such as limited training availabilities and facilities restricting usage due to the impacts of resin.
“I’ve been very lucky to have always had very solid coaching that has helped me develop my sport in the way it has. It has prepared me to take the step to international level but also into a club level here at Germany.” Tyler said.
Now, thanks to a move to HT Munchen in the third tier of the German leagues, Tyler is getting a taste of competitive European handball. The semi-professional status of the club is already offering chances of development due to daily training sessions, increased funding, and a differing approach to the game. “The biggest thing I’ve taken away from playing in Germany is the physicality. There’s a big focus on that. Handball is much more physical in Germany and definitely in this league and so you can get away with a lot more.
“As a middle defender and being a pivot, that really changes the way I have to be ready physically and the way that I can play. I think that’s definitely benefitted me and allowed me to take that into an international setting where you can again, get away with a lot more. The players are bigger, stronger and more athletic and being in that sort of league and system is helpful.” Tyler explained.
Munchen just missed out on promotion this season and are now setting their sights on a promotion push next campaign. Therefore, the focus in trainings have shifted to fitness and tactical sessions as preparations already take shape. Ollie must juggle work commitments as his planned sabbatical comes to its conclusion but hopes that he can extend his stay for another year, especially as the progression of playing abroad is a step many British handballers advise taking. Tyler said: “There’s a growing understanding that there is a requirement to move aboard. I’m in that position now and I’m just trying to figure out what and how I’m going to do that for next season.”
Tyler continued: “I knew that I had to take that step [playing abroad] at one point. I was one of the very few players still in the national team set up that hadn’t had the experience of going abroad at club level, so I knew my time would come. My life fell into place in a nice situation where this seemed to be the perfect time to go and give it a try.”
Not only is the move allowing the British defender exposure to alternative approaches to the game, but also to a whole new culture and language. On the court, the transition has been streamlined, with the English pivot building chemistry quickly with teammates and the body language of the game translating naturally. Away from courtside has been tougher at times. Ollie stated: “When you’re in the changing rooms and being with the team, obviously they’re speaking German. It’s quite difficult not to be able to feel like you can contribute or understand what’s going on. That’s probably been the most difficult side of things.” Yet the first season away from home has been considered a success and it will be intriguing to see what further adventures in Europe could await Munchen’s pivot.
Tyler’s successes on the continent are an example that the current English set up is performing well against its European counterparts despite the funding gap, suggesting its current course should continue producing young talent. “Right now, we’re in a much better place where we’re developing a lot more talent within the English system that are now able to go abroad. For the short term that’s still going to have to be the pathway that a lot of our players take. The English leagues are able to support that jump from the Premier League to international level, but our junior setups and academies are developing really good players. They’re on the trajectory to be able to go aboard and continue progressing.”
It is testament to the development of handball in the UK that British nationals are now competing at a high enough level to play in Europe and that system will be able to foster new budding talent for years to come. Coaching young players is a something Great Britain can boast numerous successes in and a discipline that has seen players taken to the highest levels. Ollie experienced the English system and believes the benefits of participating in team sports, as well as having the chance to reach the elite tier of the game, can be hugely advantageous. “I think that any team sport can give an individual so much and I’m very passionate about what a team sport can give you not just in a sporting context but in a professional and personal context. The transferable skills that you get can really stand you in great stead in life.” Tyler said.
Ollie expanded on his personal growth, stating: “When I went through the whole phase of England under 16s, under 19s and into the GB seniors, that’s benefitted me so much in terms of landing jobs with all the interpersonal skills that it gave me. Being involved in a team sport and being able to reach that elite level, especially in handball where it’s not as saturated as other sports like football, can give you the chance to develop yourself which can give a lot of advantages.”
It is an opportune time to start out on a path in handball as the sport increases in popularity in the UK. While the coaching pathway is a serious one, with dedicated personnel, the core principle of sport remains. Have fun!
Tyler answered instantaneously when asked about what advice to give to young handballers, beaming as he said: “Just enjoy it! That’s the biggest thing that I was able to do in my playing days at Deva. I had no expectation other than I’m going to turn up at training today and I’m going to enjoy it. There was no end goal in mind of me concentrating on wanting to play for GB and wanting to do amazing things with the squad. It was just very much focussing on really enjoying the sport and seeing where I could get to naturally.”
Thankfully handball is a community driven game, especially in the UK where volunteering is such a vital component of the organisational structure. This helps create a supportive environment in which enjoyment can be prioritised during top tier coaching sessions. Tyler commented: “I love the handball side, but I also love the community that I was a part of [growing up playing handball] and that was super important to me. I felt like I was really part of something. Hopefully handball can give that to a lot of other people as well.”
Ollie Tyler is proof that the current coaching pathway is working, and his international medal is a reward on a personal level for years of outstanding commitment to handball. The fact that Great Britain have been able to produce an international tournament winning side in such a short period of time, is a phenomenal achievement that will be built upon for future generations. What is perhaps even more impressive, is the morals held so firmly at the core of that side and throughout the coaching set ups in the UK, as evident in Tyler’s accounts. Positive team morale, an attitude of togetherness, and a willingness to work hard as a unit, appear to be the key ingredients to a successful elite handball career. The future is bright for Ollie and for our nation’s handball development.
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