Primary School Competition

Olympic Handball is back for another exciting season—and your school can be part of it.

The 2025/26 Primary School Competition is open to schools across Ireland, with separate events for boys and girls and a clear route to the All-Ireland Finals. It’s easy to join, fun to teach, and loved by students.

Who Can Enter?

Schools in these active counties: Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath & Wexford

If you’re outside these counties, express your interest here 👉 Expression of Interest Form

How It Works

Register the number of teams you'd like to enter
Group stage blitzes (Oct–Dec), organised by teachers
County Finals (Jan–Feb), run by OHI
Provincial Finals (March)
All-Ireland Finals (April)

Registration Fees

Early bird discount: 10% off until June 8th

1 team – €60 → €55 with early bird
2 teams – €110 → €100 with early bird
3 teams – €145 → €130 with early bird
4 teams – €170 → €153 with early bird
5 teams – €200 → €180 with early bird

How To Register

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Ireland’s fastest-growing school sport. Register your teams today and join the journey to the All-Ireland Finals.

FAQs

Want full details? Read our Primary Competition Guidelines.

What’s included in registration?

Every registered school becomes an affiliated member of Olympic Handball Ireland. That means you’ll get access to:

Free teaching resources (PE lesson plans, rule guides, etc.)
Entry to all relevant stages of the competition (group to All-Ireland)
Support from the OHI team to help you run your matches

Do we need equipment to take part?

Not necessarily. You can start with just a basic PE setup. We’ll also offer special discounted handball equipment bundles through our partners—perfect for schools new to the sport.

Is Olympic Handball hard to teach or play?

Not at all. Olympic Handball is designed to be easy to teach, fast to learn, and fun to play. It’s a dynamic, inclusive sport where all kids get involved. Even if you’ve never taught it before, our resources will walk you through it.

How many players do we need for a team?

Maximum 5, maximum 12 players. Teams should have a supervising teacher. Schools can register multiple teams.

Can we enter more than one team?

Yes. Many schools enter more than one team across age groups. Simply choose how many teams you'd like to enter during registration.

Do boys and girls play separately?

Yes—there are separate competitions for boys and girls at every age level. If mixed teams are needed at local level, they typically compete in the boys’ division.

What if we don’t have our own sports hall?

No problem. Matches can be played at other schools or neutral venues in your group. You don’t need your own indoor facility to join.

Do teachers need to referee matches?

Yes—teachers help lead and referee group matches. Don’t worry, we provide all the tools you need.

What if we’re totally new to this?

You’re in good company. Many schools try Olympic Handball for the first time through this competition. It’s simple, fun, and inclusive—and our team is here to support you.