Infographics can be read and shared to increase understanding of what Hand the Ball Sweden is and how our concept works in its entirety.

The past four academic years have seen Hand the Ball and Hjulsta Primary School collaborate on safety-promoting activities for the school’s extracurricular activities through physical activity. During HT19, the idea of expanding the collaboration from extracurricular activities into the classrooms during lesson time arose. Hjulsta Primary School has the goal of increasing the safety in the school. A process was initiated in the school and the school’s Safety Team compiled need areas such as emotions, empathy and the equal value of all. The focus was on increasing the students’ understanding of their own and others’ emotions and creating understanding and acceptance of our similarities and our differences.

Based on this, an idea of a value-based/security material was formed with themes that meet the needs of the school and also fit in with Hand the Ball’s values. In connection with this, HejEngagemang was invited to develop, design, and package the concept, which eventually became Trygghetsresan.

The Security Journey is a method material primarily aimed at participants in grades F-9, adaptable to the needs and conditions of the group. The material consists of a work sheet, exercise cards and guidance material. The imagery uses the symbolism of a train travelling through a landscape on rails. The symbolic value of the chosen imagery has many roots. On the one hand, the train journey symbolizes a development that we decide to take together. Furthermore, there is the idea that the train runs on a track. Security is about helping each other not to “go off track” but instead to work together to make life steady and predictable. During the school year, the train will stop along the way at various stations where different exercises are performed.

By utilizing a material that is used by the entire school, from pre-school to 9th grade, we can create a shared language and dialogues between the grades regarding how to create a safe environment in our school. /Sofia Sköldestam, kurator Hjulsta Primary School

Hjulsta skola blir nu pilotskola för Trygghetsresan som ska pågå under hela läsåret. Målet på sikt är att paketera Trygghetsresan till en produkt som flera skolor kan ta del av i sitt trygghets- och rörelsearbete.

Part of the work to continually develop Stockholm as an event city is to welcome organizers who are seriously committed to sustainable and social projects in conjunction with large sporting events. The 2020 Men’s European Handball Championship and the Hand the Ball project are shining examples of successful collaborations which resulted in increased physical activity among young people in the outer suburbs. It is very gratifying to see the project’s ambitions now live on in new partnerships. /Marina Högland, Head of Administration of the Sports Administration of the City of Stockholm.

Together, we make a difference! Would you like to know more about the Security Journey? Contact Hand The Ball and we will gladly tell you more!

The Hand the Ball Challenge is delivered in a green box, full of challenges that can be completed with our soft, green street handball, both independently and with a leader. The idea is that the box can be hung on a hook in the classroom and thus always be available to the students. Our philosophy is that it should be easy to get active!

The challenges have been designed to create movement combined with collaboration, communication and understanding between children. In our regular Hand the Ball activities, we impart pedagogy that promotes movement in children, and autonomy is an important focus in order to increase their motivation for activity. As a result of this, many of the cards are written based on options and creativity to increase the children’s sense of self-determination.

Our core values permeate all exercises and materials we create, which is why we have printed them on the ball to always have them close at hand: togetherness, fairness, joy and respect.

The first 450 Hand the Ball Challenge boxes ordered through the RF/SISU Movement Initiative in Schools are subsidized to a price of 200 SEK per piece. Boxes sold beyond this or to schools/clubs not participating in the RF/SISU Movement Initiative will cost 400 SEK per piece. Let us work together to get more children and young people moving!

This ball offers quality comparable to the average ball, and its design allows for easy grip and handling. It is unlikely to escape a child’s grasp, and it is especially gentle to the touch. It is suitable for all age groups and various types of activities, both indoors and outdoors, due to its sturdy material composition. In partnership with Hand the Ball Foundation, we strive to promote a positive lifestyle through our signature green ball and our team of instructors.

2023 promises to be an incredible year for Swedish handball with the men’s championship taking place in January, with finals held at the Tele2 arena in Stockholm, and the women’s championship in December with group stage matches in Gothenburg. This project will span all six host cities and will be carried out in collaboration with local organizations. For the first time ever, SHF, SDF and clubs in the host cities will work together to implement social projects focused on providing activity and movement opportunities for children and young people.

The focus will be on implementing the concept in schools through education and having a strong connection with selected associations in the area. Additionally, “Lilla VM” (Little World Cup) and event activities in various contexts will be organized in all cities to provide trial activities in other schools. Through these three different types of movement initiatives, we hope to give many children a great experience with the green ball, either through trying it out or through continuous movement in selected areas.

The cities represented are: Gothenburg, Malmö, Kristianstad, Stockholm, Jönköping and Helsingborg. For more information, please contact: ingemar.linnell@gmail.com

The purpose of these projects varies, but all operations are trained in our pedagogy and use our green street–handball.

Hand the Ball Sweden was developed through a longer-term social project in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, focusing on the development of pedagogical guidelines for leaders. This initiative was funded by the Handball European Championship 2020 being held in Sweden, with the concluding final weekend taking place in Stockholm at the Tele2 Arena. Hand the Ball worked in partnership with the City of Stockholm, Handball National Team AB, and the Stockholm Handball Federation to create more movement and activity in six primary schools in Stockholm. Here, all involved collaborated to not only create a unique and exciting event, but also a lasting and sustainable activity for children and young people in the Stockholm area.

This concept is being utilised by the club in the Handboll för hjärta och gemenskap project (in which Örebro Handboll and RP IF are involved). This project is delivering activities in the socio-economically disadvantaged district of Tjärna Ängar. Young leaders have been trained through the local NIU gymnasium, and they have been supported by a highly motivated project leader who is responsible for all school visits. Visits are being made around the city for sports lessons, lunchtimes and leisure activities.

Hultsfred HK has been working extensively in schools through activities during breaks and physical education classes for all students from preschool up to sixth grade. “Around 20-30 new girls started playing handball in the club after this initiative was launched, which is a huge boost for us considering that we haven’t had any girls team in several years”.

This organisation launched the ‘Hand the Ball’ initiative during the summer of 2020, providing handball activities for children who had not previously participated in the sport. After 1.5 years, two handball teams have been established, consisting of players who would not have been reached without this initiative. (+ Interview with Nent included)

Many clubs in our highest league have been educated in this concept and have implemented it into their social projects. For example, elite players from Hallby Handball, Lugi HF and Skara HK have been visiting local schools. It is an amazing opportunity for young girls and boys to be able to play with their idols!