Wet and windy conditions make it a tough qualifier for Australian beach handball team

A 300-strong crowd came out to watch Australia take on New Zealand in two beach handball matches recently.

Lucas Turecek

WILD and wet conditions at Maroubra beach didn't deter the 300-strong crowd who came out to watch Australia take on New Zealand in two beach handball matches last month.

The arch-rivals played off for a spot to represent Oceania at the 2013 World Games in Columbia in July.

In beach handball a point is awarded to the team leading at the end of each half and Australia won the qualifying tournament 2-0 in both matches.

Australian team manager Rikke Petersen said the matches were hard fought, going down to the wire on both occasions.

"It certainly wasn't a walkover," Ms Petersen said.

"Because beach handball is only scored in halves it was a lot closer than the final score suggests.

"There were several lead changes and everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats."

The Australian side was made up of a combination of rookie and experienced players who attended a training camp in the lead-up to the qualifier.

Among the best players was Zach Wright, a 15-year-old goalkeeper from Queensland who dazzled selectors with an impressive effort in front of the net.

In addition to the Australia v New Zealand grudge match Maroubra Beach hosted the national championships with South Melbourne beating St Kilda in the men's competition and NSW beating Queensland in the women's tournament.

A 29-man squad has been selected ahead of the World Games in July.