History is in the making as the Cook Islands Under-17 Beach Handball squad departed Rarotonga on Wednesday, en route to Hammamet, Tunisia, for their debut appearance at the 2025 IHF U17 Men’s Beach Handball World Championship, set for June 17 to 22, 2025.

This prestigious global tournament features 32 national teams – 16 men’s and 16 women’s squads – selected from among 306 International Handball Federation (IHF) member nations.

The Cook Islands is the sole representative from Oceania in either category, marking a milestone achievement for the nation and the region.

The Cook Islands team has been drawn into Group C, facing host nation Tunisia, Thailand and Mexico.

Warm-up matches are scheduled for this weekend to help the team acclimatise and sharpen their game ahead of the championship.

Makiroa Mitchell‑John, president of Handball Cook Islands and secretary general of the Oceania Continent Handball Federation (OCHF), is the force behind this ambitious campaign.

She says this marks the first time the Cook Islands has sent a team to the U17 Beach Handball World Championship, following its earlier participation in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games for indoor handball.

“This isn’t just about the Cook Islands,” Mitchell‑John said. “We are representing the entire Oceania region. We’re helping 17-year-old kids step onto the world stage.”

According to Mitchell‑John, the sport supports the growth and well-being of our youth by developing their skills, broadening their global perspective and equipping them with valuable experiences to prepare for adulthood.

The participation in Tunisia is not just a stand-alone event, it serves as a gateway to the Youth Olympic Games, a goal the team has had in sight for some time.

As the only Oceania representative, the Cook Islands is eligible for Youth Olympic qualification, pending approval from Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC).

Mitchell‑John emphasised the sheer determination required to get the team this far.

“This is an unfunded journey. Everyone had to fundraise. Some athletes dropped out, so we went scouting again in January,” she said.

“The kids train hard, many are involved in other sports, and we’ve worked with Andrew Iroa to ensure their fitness is at the right level.”

The team’s travel arrangements have been coordinated by Mo Hosea Travel & Cruise – TravelManagers, ensuring the team arrives ready to compete and represent the Cook Islands with pride.

Under Mitchell‑John’s leadership, Handball Cook Islands has experienced rapid growth, most recently fielding a record-breaking 444 athletes at the 2024 Cook Islands Games.

Her efforts at both the national and regional levels are helping elevate the sport across Oceania.

As the team prepares to step onto the sand in Tunisia, they carry with them the hopes of a nation - and an entire region - with dreams of Olympic qualification and a brighter future for handball in the Pacific.

The Cook Islands U17 Beach Handball team heading to Tunisia includes: 2. Totoo Te Au Arai Tiaore, 3. Kuateti Ratu Peter Jerome Toru (Captain), 4. Jessie O’Deniel Patu Toru (Vice Captain), 5. Sounuu-Okiva Randall Blackmore James Kaveao-Gempton, 7. Tana Miimetua Cordell Raina, 11. Eli Dean Tehaeretua Tepou Topui, 13. Tevaki Abraham Jaywin Tupa Tupa, 18. Tangianau Davida Glassie Buillard Tepuretu, 20. Brendan Aaron Lemuel Trevaughn Lucas Tepuretu, 21. Aiganalua Ailoa Samania (Vice Captain).