KHOU Covers "Austin Rockstars"

4/24/2009 10:10 AM

By: Heidi Zhou

News 8 KHOU

Handball is a cross between many sports like basketball, soccer and water polo. It's not basketball, even though you dribble, and it isn't soccer, even though there's a goalie. So what is handball? "It's very similar to water polo. They have pretty much the same idea, but it's not in the pool," Austin RockStars coach Tiago Saramento said. Handball packs the intensity of all those sports into one. "It's an addictive game," Saramento said. "It's so competitive, it's energetic, it's a fast game." Teammates agree. "It's full contact pretty much -- a lot of fast action, fast paced, and you can really test yourself. You can test yourself athletically," goalie Antonio Fuentez III said. WATCH THE VIDEO Handball News 8’s Heidi Zhou shows viewers why handball participants are passionate about their sport. Tools of the Trade Zhou speaks to Dede Pinkova of the Texas Team Handball Club. Saramento said it's a game about unity. "You have to be united," he said. "It's a friendship game." But beyond that, the players are ready to take handball to another level. The U.S. has yet to send a team to the Olympics, but perhaps not for long. "Outside the U.S., people think Americans can't really play this sport, that we don't have the ability to compete because we don't have the history. I think it's time to change that image," Fuentez said. With the ultimate goal in sight, the athletes keep shooting away at that dream. Handball is accessible to people of all skill levels and experience. The Austin RockStars are looking for more players. The team holds practices every Saturday afternoon at the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center in East Austin. To find out more, visit the team website

www.austinhandball.info