Having a ball with handball at Goodmayes school

Mayfield School, Pedley Road, Goodmayes, hosts Wednesday classes for the club which has sessions in different places every day of the week.

More than 40 young pupils attend “handball night” in the new sports facilities where all-women adult handball club, the London Angels, train.

The sessions are run by Hungarian-born Andrea Szanto who began playing the sport at eight and went on to be a professional athlete for 20 years, playing in the top league in her home country.

She said: “I came to England five years ago and have been able to carry on playing for local clubs, winning the English cup.

“I now coach at six Redbridge schools and coach and play for the London Angels.”

Alex Nicuale, in Year 7, started playing handball when he joined the school in September.

The 11-year-old said: “I like it because it is a fun and fast game.

“I really like to shoot and score goals.”

Ally Tansley, a PE teacher at Mayfield, has now incorporated the sport into her lessons.

She said: “We are fortunate enough to have a full sized court with official goals for students to learn this brilliant game.”