Achieving the Objectives 

• It might be suggested that Australia is uncompetitive on the world stage because it lacks a national competition for developing Australian talent. The development of the Australian Handball League therefore seems imperative should Australia wish to become world-class Handball nation. Thus, it would seem that securing the first objective by developing the Australian Handball League will have a meaningful and positive effect on the Australia's Olympic handball preparation. 

• However, a world-class handball nation requires a world-class handball competition. Australia does not have such a competition. Although there are a few tournaments played in Australia throughout the year, they are played infrequently and are poorly organized. These competitions are not sufficient to build Australia's world standing as a Handball playing nation. 

• Further, and perhaps most importantly Australia does not have a sufficient number of players capable of playing in a world-class competition. Because the standard of any competition is assessed in terms of the quality of the player opportunity to witness world-class handball. The Australian Handball League intends to provide Australians with that opportunity. 

Executive Summary 

The Australian Handball League Franchise is a unique commercial sporting opportunity combining the essential components of grass roots sporting development with a world- class competition. Because of the global trend towards the amalgamation of diverse sporting organizations under the one administrative banner, the target Franchisees are existing sporting and recreational organizations. Franchisees are required to make an initial capital investment. This initial investment will guarantee the Franchisee's participation in the Australian Handball League. The investment will also provide the Franchisee with the requisite players and the necessary infrastructure. Participation in the Australian Handball League generates numerous opportunities for the Franchisee, including revenue streams from gate receipts, advertising and member entertainment. Linking Franchisees to local single purpose sporting facilities, the Franchise fee entitles the Franchisee to a low-cost conversion of these single purpose sporting facilities to a multi-purpose outdoor recreation center. The multi-purpose outdoor recreation center will not only provide a forum for world-class handball competition but will also offer Franchisees increased flexibility in generating revenue from a diversity of sports played at the one location. In addition to these opportunities, Franchisees will also benefit from the significant financial returns that can be obtained from player transfers. By world standards, the net worth of the Franchise will be worth many times the initial investment. Finally, a Franchise in the Australian Handball League provides the Franchisee with the prestige associated with an Olympic sport. 

Franchise Proposal:

We have predicted two options for raising funds through the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF): 1. Selling the franchise to foreign or domestic investors, sport organisations or to the private sector, 2. The funds raised will be provided to Universities to run the franchise or to other sporting organisations which are nominated by the funds donor. When the franchise is sold a management is to be established under the control of the owners of the franchise (clubs) and Oceania Handball League Incorporated (OHL). The franchise owners will be registered at the state handball association and will be entitled to a general meeting to nominate new members of the new or old state executive board and further, the Australian Handball Federation (AHF) executive board. For example, in Tasmania and Northern territory there are no established handball associations. With a new plan and new members, a general meeting will need to be held since, this is the procedure for all other sports in the world; the federation is elected by clubs and their owners.

The management company (to be established) will then be owned and controlled by the club owners, AHF and OHL.Inc.

The management company will have as its objectives to manage, promote and conduct the proposed Australian National Handball League on behalf of club owners, AHF and OHL, with profits after agreed expresses and fees to be distributed for the purpose of developing handball in Australia.

• Each franchise can have both a men's and a women's team, or only a men’s or women’s team.
• Franchise fee $1.5 million (AUD) for one team or $2.5 million for both teams paid annually subject to review on the 4th and 8th anniversary.
• Overseas franchise owners will be granted Permanent Subclass 888 Visa: Innovation and Investment.
• The franchise fee to be distributed as follows:

OHL Inc. 3% in the first year and 5% for each year thereafter or 3,6% in the first year and 6% for each year thereafter for both teams. OHL.Inc shall distribute their income from the franchise fee as follows: OHL.Inc 60% in the first year and each year after, 20% to a domestic sport management company and the remaining 20% to Solicitor Steven Stojanovic (SSS).

The balance of fees to be retained for the respective handball leagues under the control of the management company. 

Management Company

The executive board of the management company to consist of:

1. Representative of women’s clubs
2. Representative of men’s clubs
3. President of AHF
4. Representative of OHL.Inc
5. In addition, a Chief Executive Officer to conduct daily running of the management company but will not hold any voting rights. 

Team Structure

• Each handball team has 7 players including a goalkeeper. Each team also has 5 reserves.

• The Franchise team: 1 Headcoach and 7 players from oversees. Note* the selected Head coach coming from a recognised and prestigious European country selects 3 experienced players from their country making the base of the franchise club with OHL Inc. aprroval. The right for selecting the base of the franchise clubs have franchise buyers, by the order in which they were bought. The other 4 players for the remaining positions are from the same country and will be drawn out at the official launch by franchise owners. Plus, 1 domestic coach, 2 national players, 3- 5 domestic players, 1 club manager, 1 doctor and 1 physiotherapist.

• It seems imperative that talent is sought from those nations that already have a well-developed handball program. In particular, talent will be sought from the prestigious world and European handball leagues. Securing highly talented players from these leagues will be central to not only the success of the Australian Handball League but ultimately it will be central to the development of a highly competitive player base in Australia. Because imported players will form the backbone of the Australian Handball League, it is inevitable that the standard of Australian handball will be elevated.

• The selection of imported players will be a rigorous process requiring players to satisfy extensive criteria:

1. Played in a first-grade European league team or in a national team
2. Tertiary educated.
3. Excellent English language and communication skills.
4. Environmental adaptive capacity. 
5. International transfer certificate.

• Because Australia also lacks adequate coaching and training expertise, it is envisaged that overseas coaching staff will be required. Coaching staff will also be required to satisfy the selection criteria, however, it is essential that these individuals have coached a first-grade European league or a national team rather than played in such teams.

Conclusions

• The sustainability of handball is a function of the Franchise system devised by OHL INC. However, the viability of the Franchise system itself is contingent largely upon the availability of the imported players.
• To date a number of sports and licensed clubs have expressed interest in becoming a part of the revolution of handball in Australia. Additionally, private investors both in Australia and overseas see the potential for handball in this country.
• The League will not only provide a developmental foundation for handball but it will also provide a financially secure future for its parent associations and clubs.
• Franchisees will have an enormous opportunity to profit from the business, not only through participation at the elite level but also through the promotion of the grass roots program on the multi-purpose recreation facility.
• It is anticipated that 7 players and 1 coach per team will be imported. All imports will be drafted to the teams. Ultimately, both men's and women's leagues will be 12 team competitions, thus 168 import players (84 men and 84 women) and (12 men and 12 women coaches) will be required. However, the Australian Handball League needs to commence its inaugural season with 6 teams and as such only 84 import players and 12 imported coaches will be required. 

Competition Overview

• The Australian Handball League will be contested by a minimum of 6 or more franchises from around Australia.
• The League will consist of a 22 round regular season such that each franchise will compete against each other twice. The regular season will be followed by a play- off style finals series. Note, the off-style finals series champion will play with the 4th ranked team three games with two games at the champions’ home field. The 2nd ranked team will play with the 3rd ranked team three games with two games at the 2nd ranked teams’ home field. For the super finals, the winners will play three games with two games at the higher ranked teams field. 

The Australian Handball League Franchise

• All Australian Handball League franchises will belong to existing sporting or recreational clubs. The financial resources of the clubs will provide the support necessary to ensure the sustainability and the success of the League.
• Because many sporting clubs already possess facilities amenable to handball competition, handball represents a relatively inexpensive sport for many clubs to develop.
• Each franchise can have both a men's and a women's team, or only a men’s or women’s team.

The Sydney Handball Academy

• The Sydney Handball Academy was developed in 1998 for the purpose of J~ demonstrating the viability of the Franchise system. An underutilized 4-court tennis facility in Sydney's culturally diverse south-west region was redeveloped into a multi-purpose outdoor recreation facility. The facility has since become the template for the Franchise system supporting a range of 5 Olympic sports: handball, tennis, basketball, soccer and volleyball and of course including futsal soccer, netball, street and roller hockey and all other sports. The facility has also been host to numerous handball tournaments including the highly successful Liverpool Cup.
• Central to the success of the Sydney Handball Academy has been its emphasis upon its grass roots development and local promotion program, which has seen in excess of 300 local students participating weekly in various handball activities.
• The flow-on benefits that have been observed include increased participation in other sports, increased retail sales, and an increase in the number of members.
• Sydney Handball Academy anticipates that these benefits will be likewise secured by each and every Franchisee. 

Additional Members of The Management Board:

Core Directors:

1. 8 representatives of OHL Inc.:

1. Chairwomen

2. CEO

3. Director of IT marketing and SEO

4. Solicitor

5. State Director of coaching for men (rotating representatives elected annually) 

6. State Director of coaching for women (rotating representatives elected annually)

7.Director of the Australian Handball Academy for Men

8. Director of the Australian Handball Academy for Women 

2. 6 representatives from AHF executive board:

1. President

2. Secretary general 3. Treasurer

4. Director

5. Director

6. Director

3. 6 club representatives (3 men’s 3 women’s) 3 (W/M) rotating representatives elected annually by franchise owners.

OHL.Inc additional members of the management board that will attend half year and yearly meetings:

1. Immigration solicitor
2. Social gambling director
3. Building construction director
4. Scouting and statistics director
5. Accountant
6. TV and media director
7. State Director of coaching
8. State Director of coaching
9. State Director of coaching
10. State Director of coaching
11. Medical Staff member
12. Representative of Women players
13. Representative of Men players
14. Founder of OHL.Inc

AHF additional members of the management board that will attend half year and yearly meetings:

4. 6 State and territory directors

Allocation of Funds

• Salaries for oversees:
• Coach $110,000.00 per annum.
• 3 Players $100,000.00 per annum.
• 4 players $60,000.00 per annum. 

• Salaries for domestic:
• Coach $10,000.00 per annum.
• Club manager $20,000.00 per annum.
• Doctor $10,000.00 per annum.
• Physiotherapist $10,000.00 per annum.
• 2 National players $5,000.00 each per annum. Note: 1st year the entire amount will go to the AHF account for additional expenses of the national team: squad camp, travelling and competitions (12 x 2M = 24M and 12 x 2W = 24w = 48 X $5,000 = $240,000). The same is for the following years.
• Venue for training and Handball Academy $70,000.00 per annum.
• Venue for domestic league competition games $60,000.00 per annum.
• Traveling expenses for guests’ games (18 members from the clubs + 2 referees) $60,000.00 per annum.
• Sport uniforms and equipment $25,000.00 per annum.
• Tickets for oversees members (8 pp.) $10,000.00 per person and per annum. Also, insurance and registration for their state federation. The remaining funds will be allocated according to necessity.
• Salary for emigration solicitor $8,000.00 for 8 oversees members. Note, from the 2nd year after regular emigration solicitor expenses the remaining funds ($8,000.00 x 24 clubs: 12W and 12M = $192,000.00) will be allocated according to necessity: expenses for acountor, solicitor, travelling costs and accommodation for the half year and annual championship celebration for the management board and all club representatives.
• Australian Handball League – OHL solicitor Steven Stojanovic $3,250.00 per annum.
• Accountor $3,250.00 per annum.
• Expenses for the establishment of Australian & Oceania Handball League TV (A&OHL TV); Equipment, studio and expenses for broadcasting handball league games on Satellite Community Television Inc. and others $12,500.00 per annum.
• Expenses for the video production of 31 women and 31 men’s league games and for A&OHL TV staff salaries $20,000.00 per annum.
• International and domestic expenses for SEO, IT OHL PR, marketing and online marketing $8,500.00 per annum.
• Appropriate wage to Chief Executive Office and support staff with administration and technology costs $8,500.00 per annum.
• Funds for Australian National Handball League official launch $3,000.00 per annum. Note, funds from the 2nd will be allocated for international club tournaments (IHF).  
• Funds for oversees IHF guests, executive board and referee wages $3,000.00 per annum.
• Franchise fee 3% for the 1st year, $45,000.00 for a single team or both teams 3,6%, $90,000.00
• International and domestic expenses for gambling advisors, architects, building construction engineers for sport- social- gambling facilities $10,000.00
• The remaining $440,000.00 for the first four years (single team) is the minimum price the buyer is obligated to invest in the development of the existing councils' sport centers into handball clubs – franchise: head office for the handball club academy, for e.g. Sydney Handball Academy and social gambling rooms.

* Australian Sport Foundation will be entitled to 5-6% if they raise investment through foundation, or any other foundation, organisation or brokers that will invest or sell franchise. 

Merchandising and Product Supply

OHL is the preferred supplier of all sporting equipment but there is no obligation that franchisees purchase their equipment from OHL, provided that all equipment meets the required standard for the franchise.

Why Handball?

• Handball has achieved a status that many Australian sports do not have and are highly unlikely to achieve. It is an Olympic sport. Handball can therefore provide those involved with the sport the chance to share the Olympic spirit. It is an unfortunate reality that so many of Australia's traditional sports do not provide this opportunity. Handball can provide this opportunity that, so far, has been out of the reach of most Australians. Handball offers Australians the chance to compete in an Olympic event.

• Thus, OHL INC and the Australian Handball Federation have primary and overriding objectives:

• First, that the Australian sporting public is delivered a world-class handball competition that parallels the standard of the prestigious European leagues, such that all Australians should have access to Australian Handball League matches.

• Second, that the Australian Handball League should be a development ground for Australia's Olympic handball preparation. A high calibre league will be crucial to Australia's development as a powerhouse in world handball. 

Handball – A Global Game

• International Handball Federation each belong to one of six Continental regions.

• The IHF, with the assistance of European Handball Federation, guaranteed Australia its first entry to the 1999 World Championships, which were held in Norway and Egypt. The lHF has thus provided invaluable assistance to Australia's preparation for the Sydney 2000 Games, where as the host nation, Australia is ensured entry to competition. It was the ninth most watched sport with an attendance of nearly 200,000 spectators during the Games.

• Continental Club Championships are also held in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Clubs from Germany, Spain, France and Denmark dominate the European competitions. In Asia, Japan, South Korea and China tend to dominate. Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria are the top nations from Africa, while Brazil and the United States are the dominant teams from the Americas.

• The Australian Handball Federation (AHF) is the governing body of Handball in Australia. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western.

• Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have respective state or territory federations. At present Australia lacks a strong, competitive and well-organised competition. The AHF and OHL INC thus recognises that Australia is both ready for and deserves a world class national league of the calibre of the prestigious and professional European leagues.

• Handball is a fast, physical and dynamic team sport that is played in either an indoor or outdoor facility. Handball is a highly strategic and tactical sport involving attacks and counter-attacks. It is a sport that demands considerable skill, fitness, agility and control from its players. Such demands culminate in a thrilling and exciting spectator sport.

• As an Olympic sport, it is clear that handball has a global representation. In 2017, this representation extended to the 209 member nations of the International Handball Federation. This peak body represents approximately 800 000 teams and over eight million sports people worldwide. Handball is. thus, a truly global game. In Europe alone, handball is second only to soccer in terms of participation. Europe is home to the majority of professional players and to the most prestigious Handball leagues. Despite European dominance of the game, professional leagues are now emerging in Asia, particularly in South Korea, China and Japan. African, American and Oceanic clubs are also being developed.

• The global game of handball is of course, not limited to Olympic competition. World Championships are played every two years and are fiercely contested. Much like the Olympics, national pride and glory breed a competitive spirit that is largely unmatched. Entry to the World Championships is dictated largely by performance in the previous Championships. At the 3rd IHF council meeting held in Doha, Qatar on 18th of October, the council decided to expand the number of teams at IHF World Championships from 24 to 32. This is a chance for Australia to again participate in WC. 

For further information please visit http://www.oceaniahandballleagueinc.com/ and http://www.ihf.info.