Congratulations, Ayla Engels! Our 16-year-old exchange student from Holland is living her dream of playing handball in the USA. Ayla is here on a one-year cultural exchange program and last Friday, she helped her school, Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, coordinate a school district handball tournament.

There were 25 teams in total, co-ed teams with 4 schools participating. In a conversation with Shirlann Powell, the Northeast Director with the A Cultural Program and also Ayla's host, she told me the tournament was amazing. Lots of fans attended and permanent rivalries between these schools were in full force.

Ayla is on an adult pro team back in Holland with her mom but has also played in Belgium and Sweden. She is here until June and her enthusiasm is clear. To find out that there is handball being played in this country is a dream for her and you can be sure that I will help deliver more to her this season.

With Ayla and her school's help, I'll be talking to district offices to turn this tournament into something long term and meaningful. Handball is already part of the middle school curriculum in that area. Question is, how much more evidence does one need to realize what a great sport this is? The high schools need to follow. If 175 girls and boys in the outskirts of New York city can play and love the game, then everybody should play! And as we know, 16 year olds are the future of handball!

Congratulations Ayla and thank you to Shenendehowa High School for hosting this great event!

For more information, call Dominique E Dumont at 561-301-8730.