Stroud Handball Club are to enter their first competitive league.

The club is entering the South-West development league, which is part of the English Handball Association and hosts monthly tournaments for mixed-sex teams.

It's their first competitive competition since forming in 2012. Handball is an Olympic Sport with elements of football and basketball, which sees two teams trying to score in a goal at each end, by throwing the ball past a goalkeeper.

The club formed after the 2012 Olympics and has grown ever since. This month they formed as an official charity and provide handball coaching to juniors, schools, universities and adults.

Club secretary James Horwood said:"Two years ago I had no idea handball even existed. "My colleague Matt Durber (chairman) and I had seen it at the Olympics and it was his suggestion to give it a try.

"I had no idea what the rules were or even how to play. Since then everyone at the club has developed their skills and we have recruited many new players including an ex-international professional."

Chairman Matt Durber added:"In the two years since the club formed, we have over 20 regular members, and have already played in friendly games against established league sides and come away with victories. Some of our members have gone onto achieve qualifications in coaching and refereeing handball, which will help make the sport sustainable in the county."

In addition to the adult club side, Stroud Handball also provides coaching to local primary and secondary schools and universities, and now run junior sessions at Stratford Park Leisure Centre.

And Durber is hoping that these sessions will help inspire a generation of youngsters.

He added: "Handball is a relatively new sport in this country, but has grown massively since the Olympics. Lots of youngsters in the county have been enjoying learning the sport, many of whom will get the chance to represent their schools and even the county in upcoming national competitions.

"In recent years, these competitions have been a springboard to the England Handball Talent programme.

"We are hoping these youngsters will really take to the sport, and will eventually feed into our club side, making the legacy of the Olympics a reality."

The Development league runs from October to April and includes  six tournaments played across South West UK.

They train 3-5pm on Sundays at Stratford Park Leisure Centre main hall and always welcome new players of all skill levels.