Williams backing handball
Ciaran Williams believes GB can become a force in the world of handball if they get the support they need.
Last Updated: 08/08/12 4:03pm
Ciaran Williams believes Great Britain can become a force in the world of handball if they secure the support they need following their Olympic adventure.
Team GB were parachuted into their first top-class tournament just six years after forming when the British Olympic Association gave them a wildcard and they were unsurprisingly given a tough time in the Copper Box, losing all five of their matches to the tune of a minus 96 goal difference.
But that did not stop them coming away from the Games with a whole list of positives, namely playing their part in raising the profile of handball in Britain.
Leaving a lasting legacy was always the main target of the Games, and the 24-year-old, who has been a poster-boy of the sport during London 2012 is content they have done that.
Legacy
"One of our goals was to beat Argentina in the group stage and that game was a real low point," commented Williams. "But that has just been outweighed by everything else that has gone on and the legacy that we will leave.
"A lot of people have said that they can't believe handball has swept through the nation but I can and I have said it from day one. We have shown it out there, with the girls squad and handball can be massive in this country.
"It is nice to be a part of promoting handball and help any way I can, whether that's off the court doesn't really bother me, it's what goes on on the court is what matters.
"As for being a poster boy, some may say Crimewatch! But whether it's in coaching or giving my experience back, I want to do whatever I can to help make this sport grow.
"We have got European qualifiers in October where we will be playing Greece away and Italy at home and after that it is depending on funding.
"These small sports really need backing now because we have really shown what it has to offer and it's been incredible so hopefully we can get that financial support which means we can go on for the next four years and on to Rio.
"We have shown in every single game we have played that it's just experience we are lacking and a little bit more firepower. But if we can find that then we really will be competing with the best."
