A new beginning

Hello Handballers and Supporters!

After a turbulent start into the 2012/2013 season we have now gained our first points and have returned to the winning street. The first games have clearly shown us that even the underdog teams in 1st League know how to play good handball and manage to challenge us during 60minutes! "Challenge accepted", that's why we are here, we want to play exciting matches and have fun while we pick-up the 3pointers. Let's continue this way… We have already announced that there will be a few changes for the 2012/2013 season and we here want to share more details with you:

NAME CHANGE:

Our club played the first 4 handball seasons under the name "Akita" which is a Hong Kong sport brand. With the start of the new season we have found ourselves a more suitable name and that is "HK-Giants". The complete name for administrative purposes is "Hong Kong Giants Handball Club". We are grateful for the support that the Akita brand has given us over the past years and we are looking forward to continue working together also in future.

MEMBERSHIP 2012/2013:

There are many expenses connected with running the club and the actual handball season. We rely for funding solely on membership fees and sponsors. The major expenses for the club are paying the seasonal administration fees and the training grounds. Further and for the first time in our history we are organizing our own match jerseys and social wear to formally represent our club and sponsors. We have the following two membership options for this season:

- Active Member = HKD 800

For players. The fee pays for your player license, insurance (training & matches), Giants merchandize kit (match jersey/shorts, club polo short, training bag) and gives you discount at our Bar sponsor TheDogHouse. All member types can join the HK Giants training sessions free of charge.

- Social Member = HKD 300

For supporters. The fee makes you a recognized Member of the HK Giants and you will receive the Club Polo Shirt. You will also be kept updated about season progress and any other club related news and events. All member types can join the HK Giants training sessions free of charge.

- Passive Member = free

For supporters who just want to stay updated of how the team is doing in the season and be posted on any club news. All member types can join the HK Giants training sessions free of charge.

The club committee will send out another message shortly advising you the bank details and also providing an update on when the new Giants Jerseys will arrive.

CLUB COMMITTEE:

For questions please reach out to one of the following Giants committee members:

-Mathieu Grasser                               PH: 9442 0275     Email: mathieu.grasser@euro-water.com

-Joakim Cimmerbeck                         PH: 5367 6716     Email: jcimmerbeck@gmail.com

-Stefan Aebi                                                         PH: 9766 3410     Email: stef.aebi@gmail.com

We are in progress of upgrading our internet blog so stay tuned for any news and happenings, click here: http://handballhk.blogspot.hk/

Find us also on facebook (at the moment still under AKITA)…

See you all soon in action and excitement!

HK GIANTS COMMITTEE

HK Giants/HKU

This Monday 1st of October was the theater of a terrible revenge between the finalists of last year 2nd division, HK Giants versus HKU.

The Association decided to plan the game on a long weekend, then it could be even more difficult for guailos to gather a team. But even with all the persons in the world against us, we would never give up and fight for it!

Arrived at the pitch with 9 players, including the keeper, we started warming up and get ready for the fight. With about 5 minutes before to start the game (!!), we warmed up our German goalie and made up a strategy pretty similar as last season final: beat them down.

The first minutes were a good examples of how good our defense can be and how messy our attack can be. After 15 minutes, the score was only 4-5 for HKU and it was time to take our first time out. Unfortunately, this seemed to disturb us, as we then let them score 2 more goals to lead us by 3 goals. The end of the first half ended on the score of 8-10 for HKU, and our giants organism starting to be tired.

After a few breathe and a good rest, we started the second half the same way we ended up the first one. Messy in attack, with some fast shoots and a strong defense. After 7 minutes, the score was 12-14, and we were thinking that we'll never get back these 2 goals difference. But our fighting spirit, and probably a bit of French power completely changed it, and we score a 5-1 to finally, lead the game by 2 goals.

At that time, and with 10 minutes left on the clock, the deal was to play slowly, save this 2 goals difference and not let them tire us. Of course, with guailos, you say one thing and they do the opposite. After a few missed shots and some fancy moves, we finally spent the last 3 minutes on a 1 on 1 defense, noticing the amazing stop from Tim, who saved us from the draw, and the fantastic fall from Trond, 12 nominations at the Oscars, which lead to a penalty and our 22 goals.

Final score, 22-20, 3 first points and win of the season, let's roll baby!

A few highlights, Tim, who gave up part of a fantastic birthday afternoon with mother-in-law, our back line Trond, Benoit, Stefan and Guillermo, who found back some accuracy with 13 goals, Wan who throw his body to score an important goal, Max, all the way from Tai Long Wan, who had to camp with all his handball stuff to make sure to be on time, Arnaud, who fight with another guy and Florian's instructions and coaching who was very important. Thanks also to his little finger that make him look like a British Lord... And thanks to all the others who was here for this tough but fantastic game.

Thanks also to our coach arranged by Jack.

Next game in 2 weeks, on Sunday 14th. Until then, a few trainings are on, check the "October trainings" post!

HK Giants/YMCA

On Sunday 23rd of September, HK Giants was playing his second game of the season against YMCA.

Your favorite journalist was unfortunately away, so the report will be quite tiny.

Anyway, the gossips tell about a non fair play game, some hardly understandable referee's decision as well as a very low accuracy to get to the final score of 23-18.

But it's not time to complain and reject the fault on others, we are still perfectible and need to improve a few more points.

Check the schedule for the trainings and get down to the pitch for some good sessions!