UP-AND-COMING players trying out the handball taster sessions at St Catherine’s Academy on Wednesday nights were treated to a different challenge last week.

They had the chance to take on an Olympic sportsman in the form of Team GB player Chris McDermott, who came down and helped to coach the participants.

Jessica Persson, England handball development officer for the Bolton area, said: “Chris really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and demonstrated how to do spin passes and shots.

“Chris, who usually plays Handball as a pivot, took on the challenge when the participants tried to score a penalty against him in goal. England Handball are currently growing Handball in schools and community in Bolton.

“We have schools playing handball in curriculum time and after school clubs with a number of teams competing in the local School Games and in the England Handball National Schools Competition.

“We run sessions open to the local community and currently developing a programme of disability handball together with the special schools in Bolton.

“We also offer volunteering opportunities with Handball and support coaches getting qualified and deployed in and around Bolton.”