The second most popular sport throughout the world after soccer is European Handball according to the Swiss-based International Handball Federation and beginning this Saturday, April 12, Garden City children will have the opportunity to learn and play it locally at Saint Paul's Field house on Rockaway Avenue.

The game, similar to basketball and originally developed in Europe as an off-season training game for soccer players, is played by six offensive and six defensive field athletes with a team goalie, like soccer, protecting the goal. Boys and girls play it and frequently on the same team.

The Garden City Recreation Commission, under the direction of Superintendent Kevin Ocker, approved the introduction of the world famous Olympic sport that can lead local boys and girls to colleges and clubs throughout the nation where the sport is being played. The team handball season follows the basketball season in the United States.

Boys and girls currently experienced in playing the game will be reviewed to determine if they are sufficiently advanced to represent Garden City in games against teams from other localities and nearby schools.

At 10 a.m. April 12 at the Saint Paul's Field House interested boys and girls upwards of the age of 10, as well as Garden City residents of all ages, can join the introductory lessons that will demonstrate proper movement on the court, transferring the ball, shooting for the goal and moving onto and off the court in the proper manner and at the proper time.

Older boys and girls will have the opportunity to learn about displaying their skills to playing representatives of semi-professional teams whose members represent the United States under the direction of the United States Olympic Committee located in Colorado Springs.