Click here to see a BBC footage featuring the Ruislip Eagles.

This video was part of a BBC documentary on English sport at the 2012 London Olympics

History of Ruislip Eagles Handball Club

Ruislip Eagles Handball Club was formed in 1970 when they were based in the old South Ruislip Leisure centre.

The men’s and women’s teams were started and coached by Bill Holderness, a GB goalkeeper. The teams were largely made up of British players but gradually more and more overseas players joined the club and brought new skills and experience.

The club enjoyed a successful spell through the 1980’s when many of their players were picked for the national team and the women won the league on several occasions alongside fierce rivals Wakefield mens team.

The men also were involved with great competition with Brentwood and Liverpool but it was the women’s team who enjoyed the greater success.

In 1982 the women became the 1st British team to win a match in the European Cup, beating the Belgian champions over two legs.

Both men’s and women’s teams have an international flavour with many nationalities playing in both teams.