Ipswich player named in GB Olympic handball squad

Ipswich handball player Louise Jukes says she's 'chuffed' and 'surprised' to be named in Team GB's squad for the London Olympics.

The 28 year old was unveiled in the squad of fourteen at Loughborough University this morning,

'I was so surprised, I didn't think I'd done enough this year to make it, so I'm overwhelmed and just so happy. It's amazing', Louise said.

'I've been injured since January so I've only been coming back these last couple of months. It's been a struggle but the coaches believed in me, so I'm very grateful to them for that'.

'It's just such a relief so I can just get my head down and carry on training, and just stay focussed on the goal ahead'.

Louise only took up handball 5 years ago, after being spotted through Sir Steve Redgrave's Olympic Talent scheme.

'It took about six months of testing and trials and practising before they said ''We'd like you to try out for the Olympic team''. So I moved over to Denmark and then to Norway and back here, and now I'm in the Olympic team'.

The women’s handball competition gets underway with reigning Olympic champions Norway taking on France in a repeat of 2011 World Championships final. Great Britain’s women will also play on 28 July – the first day of the competition – taking on fellow Olympic newcomers Montenegro.

Click here for the full handball schedule

Twelve teams compete in both the men’s and women’s handball competitions, with 14 athletes (seven players and seven substitutes) on each team.

Handball was developed in Denmark, Sweden and Germany in the late 19th century. Originally played outdoors as field handball, the sport first appeared at the Berlin 1936 Games. The modern indoor version made its Olympic debut at Munich 1972. The first women’s competition appeared at the Montreal 1976 Games. Handball has featured at every Olympic Games since.