Student values unique Cook Islands experience

Never in his wildest dreams did 25 yr old Patrick Glatt imagine that he would be doing his university semester placement in a totally unknown country half way around the world in a tiny place called the Cook Islands. But he took the chance and decided that he wanted to go to foreign country to do his thesis focusing on handball and out of between 60 – 80 potential foreign countries to visit, the Cook Islands did not hesitate his request and accepted his placement with open arms.
Patrick comes from Schutterwald in Germany where he attends Constance University which hosts students in the thousands in both a very challenging academic and competitive learning environment. Our University lake is 3 times the size of Rarotonga, he said. He is intending to graduate with a sports degree and hopes to continue on to Masters and then doctorate level specializing in handball.
His love for handball started some 20 years ago when he was introduced to the sport and he has never looked back. He plays 3rd division handball in Germany which is somewhat close to semi senior level with handball regarded as the 2nd most popular sport in Europe next to soccer. Winning the Soccer World Cup in 2007 was a special moment for Germany with other sports catapulting in popularity as a consequence including handball. As well as being a player, he is also a coach, mentor and marketer always seeking opportunities to advance the sport in any way possible.
His University friends use to tease him about coming to a relatively unknown country but Patrick has managed to change their views judging by the regular e-mail updates he receives and the constant inquiries about our country and the people. He also write a monthly column about the Cook Islands to circulate to family and friends in Germany.
I find the Cook Islands an interesting place because of their simple, friendly way of life. I love the simplicity of the family lifestyle and culture and feel humbled to be a part of the Cook Islands extended handball family.
The biggest problem he found on arriving in the Cooks was adjusting to the weather. Initially, the heat took its toll but over time, Patrick began to acclimatize and has no problem with the weather now except the mozzies. He just hates mozzies and says they don’t exist where he comes from because the weather there goes well below freezing point and there is lots of snow with very cold conditions.
On handball, Patrick is of the view that the Cook Islands is where Germany was 50 years ago. Our level of participation here is equivalent to their 6 -7th division and that the sport is not sustainable under existing conditions. He states that the future of handball however looks very promising but it must be enhanced and promoted on a regional basis involving the whole of Oceania.
The Cooks does not have the capacity, resources, infrastructure and membership to become a stand alone participating member therefore it is important that its exposure is maintained on a regional competitive basis rather than expect to go directly to international and world championship events.
The biggest problem is that you are practicing and playing on a grass court. You cannot simply teach basic handball skills on a grass court therefore that must change, said Patrick. The other 3 areas which must be considered are the coaching methods in applying basic handball techniques, the limited numbers of players available and the lack of ongoing and sustainable competition.
My thesis will look at the development of handball in Oceania and where I can add value and recommend changes are made, I will do so, commented Patrick. The spatial isolation of the sport from other countries is another drawback and the only way this can be advanced is to approach it on a regional basis.
The future for handball in this part of the world is to promote and participate the sport on a regional basis where you can combine your resources and provide regular competition between the various Pacific countries. Handball has the potential to become a national sport due to the global phenomena worldwide. The fact that a delegation from the Cook Islands will be attending the World Handball Federation Conference in Rome next month led by its new President Sir Geoffrey Henry will certainly add value to the credibility of the sport for the Cook Islands.
For now, I am happy to be a part of my Cook Islands Handball family and will always treasure this unique and once in a lifetime opportunity when I return back to Germany in August. Thank you to all my friends and sporting colleagues who have made me feel very welcome and a part of your families.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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