Interview: Mr Antonio Herminio Guerra Peixe

Below you may find the interview with one of the most famous world beach handball coaches. Enjoy!

Hello, please introduce yourself and tell us something about your life, job and beach handball achievements.
My name is Antonio Herminio Guerra Peixe. I am Master in Education and Physical Education teacher. I’m in Beach Handball since 1995. I am the coach of the Brazilian National Team since 1998, in wich we were able to get the following results: Four-time Pan American Champion (98/99/04/08), 3rd place World Games in Japan (2001); Two-time world champion (2006/2010), 2nd place in the world Championship of Spain (2008); World Games Champion (2009) and Champion of the South American Beach Games (2009).

Which achievement is your favorite of the ones mentioned above?
R. The more interesting conquest was in the world Championship of Brazil in 2006. We were a very youth and renewed team and have a hard time hitting us in the competition. We left at 4th place and crossed with the 1st of the other key (Croatia). We won the game and won the competition. But the most interesting results were the two last places in the world Championship of Egypt (2004) and the World Games in Germany. I believe that through the defeats we could evolve and reach the level where we are today.
How long have you been active in beach handball? Do you also organize some  beach handball tournaments?
R. As mentioned earlier, I am in the beach handball since 1995. Besides men’s national coach, I am a member of the Organizing Committee of the Brazilian Circuit of Beach Handball.
What kind of national competition do you have? I read on http://www.beachhandballbrasil.com/ that you have some kind of league in Brazil (if I understood correctly). Can you describe us your competition system (number of tournaments/number of teams per tournament?)
R. As you all know our country has continental dimensions. Therefore, we organized a national competition with regional disputes in circuit form. The winners and the best clubs, following certain criteria, dispute the final phase. The regional phase begins in August. The tournament is held in January next year. Participate in the stages an average of 50 clubs, between men and women. Since the end decide among 10 teams in each suit.

Some states in Brazil hold state competitions. Typically, these competitions are held in the form of steps with an overall champion at the end of every stage.

Also, how many constant beach handball courts do you have in Brazil? Approximately –how many players/teams play beach handball in your country? Do you have professional beach handball players in Brazil (players which are paid for playing beach handball)?
R. Handball Beach have been practiced in almost every state in the country. Our coast is very log. It is difficult to know the numbers of Beach Handball courts. There are some schools working with Beach Handball. Others only recreationally and in the summer months. Others are only in their states, but not participate in the Brazilian circuit. I think we have over 500 teams in our country.
There is no professionalism in Beach Handball in Brazil, however, the athletes of the national team who get outstanding results receive Athlete Scholarship, which is in the range of $ 1,100 per month.
On continental level- We know that Brazilian national selections are number one in America. What with  the other selections (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay)-What is the difference between you and other teams in America. Is there any chance to see soon the second strong selection from South America on World championships? Do other selections invest in beach handball development at all?
R. Our difference is our organization and support of the Brazilian Handball Confederation. We practice really hard before any competition.
The Uruguay has participated in two World Championships and scored satisfactory results. Argentina with other countries have shown great interest in growing. In March we will have a course for coaches and referees from all over the continent, given by the IHF. I believe that with such actions and competitions involving countries of the region, other countries will stand out on the international scene.
Do you have some kind of “Champions league” for beach handball teams (clubs) on continental level? In Europe we have EBT system (clubs collect points and the best 8 teams play on Masters-variation of champions league for beach handball-winner of the Masters is European club champion).
R. We do not have that kind of competition. Unfortunately, resources are lacking for most countries of the continent. But the intention is to work on Club’s Champions League. This kind of talk has been directed at meeting of the Pan American Federation of Handball.

It is well known that Brazil has great beach handball players in both categories.  So-what is the secret of the success 😉 ? How much training do you have before each important competition?
R. There are two secrets. First the institutional support. The federations that maintain the right to direct the Beach Handball in its countries should be very clear in its decisions: whether or not we want to develop this product. If not, interested parties should form a federation or association and organizing it.

The second secret is to have Beach Handball Players, which do not have professional ties with the Indoor Handball. We need to separate the players. It is preferable to have a player who just plays on the court, but that you can train in the sand, than to have a big star of the court, but makes no commitment to the Beach Handball.

Our trainings are 20 to 30 days depending on the level and importance of the competition.

Do all players which play for the national selection play indoor handball also or you have “beach handball specialists”? If they do play indoor handball- on which league do they play? 
R. I believe that somehow this question has been answered. But add that most of our players for Beach Handball is not part of Major League Indoor Handball.
Do you have a lot of indoor players which are interested to play  BH also? In Europe we have the problems with indoor clubs because indoor clubs doesn’t like when their players play BH. They are afraid of injuries, although everybody knows that injuries are very rare in BH. Do you have the similar problem with your top indoor clubs?
R. Many athletes want to play Handball Indoor Handball Beach, but without commitment to the championships during the year. These we dissolved and never call for national team. We have no problem with clubs, for the reasons already explained. Do not walk through the world of Indoor Handball.  We do not count on these players. When there is such a problem, athletes should address their lives. If you want Beach Handball, resolve in their clubs.
What is the status of Brazilian Beach handball comparing to the other sports in your country? What is the situation with media (TV, newspapers)? Do you have a lot of interested sponsors (on club and selection level)? 
R. Brazil is the Football’s Country. Except as Volley, other disciplines have many difficulties in penetrating the media. Our sponsors are the Brazilian Handball Confederation. We have many articles on the Beach handball, but most often are on regional channels, which poorly reach the people. The sport remains unknown to the people.
By your opinion, what is the future of beach handball ? Is it going to make it to Olympic games and what it takes to achieve that goal?Or you think that World games are the top for beach handball? ( Is there any chance for beach handball to be demonstration sport in Rio de Janeiro during Summer OG 2016?
R. I have no doubt that the Beach Handball will have more space in the world scene. It’s an excellent product. It is salable and good for the television. It’s fast. Nobody knows who will win beforehand, it’s not violent and does not stop often. We need the leadership of IHF in advance measures to make it popular, without fear that this will take space of Indoor Handball. This reasoning is nonsense and stuff from people who think small.

Without a doubt that the World Beach Handball is the top competitions. Therefore, European countries should prepare for it and play it as something serious.
As for becoming Olympic, we have a long way to go. We need integrity, competence and involvement of all. Maybe something good could happen.

What do you think about beach handball rules? If you would have the chance, what would you like to change in the rules?
R. We have worked hard to make the sport into something attractive. Today, I wouldn’t change anything in the rules. The last was published last year and we need to mature some more changes.

Just a couple of short questions: – Your favorite male and female beach handball player? Best court on which you’ve been with one of your national teams? Best beach handball tournament organisation (Continental championships, World championships)?
R. Bruno Carlos and Camila Ramos (Brazilian specialists). Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. World Championships in Cadiz, Spain (2008).
At the end-please give us some useful beach handball  links from  your country and if you have something to add about BH, please do so.
R. Some Links on Brazilian Beach Handball

http://guerra-peixe.blogspot.com/
http://beachhandballsp.blogspot.com/
http://z5handeboldepraia.blogspot.com/
http://www.beachhandballbrasil.com/
http://www.riohandbeach.com/
http://tacakika.blogspot.com/

 Our aim is to find something about world beach handball. So once again thank you for your precious time and understanding. I hope that we will see you on the next World championships.
R. Always count on me and other members of the Brazilian Beach Handball National Team. We do appreciate the opportunity to spread the Beach Handball.
Once again-thank you. 
Thank You