From Brooklyn to the world stage: Meet Handball rising star Tiffany Lau Wu

Gaelic Games have exploded in popularity all around the world, with over 500 clubs operating outside of Ireland. While Gaelic Football and Hurling have emerged as the two most popular Gaelic games, handball has been quietly sparking excitement across the globe.

Handball is one of Ireland’s oldest athletic traditions, with deep roots in rural communities. It has evolved into many different iterations across borders and cultures. But the sport has also taken on new life far beyond Irish shores.

In New York City, handball is fast-paced, publicand local, played in parks and schoolyards in its one-wall 'big ball' format.

In the late 19th century, Irish immigrants introduced the sport to New York City, where Irish priests taught their pupils in the city's religious schools. An Irish immigrant handball star, Phil Casey, built the first walled handball court in Brooklyn in 1886.

Today, a new generation is shaping the future of the sport. Among them is Tiffany Lau Wu, a young player from Brooklyn, who embodies the growing and dynamic scene that handball has taken on. Her journey into happened almost by accident, and a casual game became a passion that has since taken her all the way to the World Handball Championships in Ireland.

We spoke with Tiffany about her introduction to the sport, the energy of the New York handball community, and where she hopes the games will take her next.

“I tried handball for the very first time when I was in middle school. I was on the volleyball team and a bunch of my friends were also on the team . As a way to pass time before practices, we would hang out at the handball courts located just behind our school. I wasn’t good enough to compete but I would be there to watch and hit the ball around.

That changed in high school when I met my coach, who’s also my mentor. He was a teacher's assistant in my chemistry class, and on the first day - which was held over Zoom - he introduced himself and mentioned he coached the boys’ handball team. That was the moment I realised handball was actually an organised school sport. After a year of online classes, we finally returned to school in person.

My friends and I, who had all been on the volleyball team in middle school but didn’t make the volleyball team in high school, decided to try out for the handball team instead. Although we weren’t especially good, we could return the ball to the wall.Since handball wasn’t very well known, we easily made the team and even became starters for our school, Midwood High.

I took it a step further by playing with people I met at local parks, gradually improving and eventually competing in junior tournaments hosted byICHA (Inner City Handball Association)."

“I found out about the World Handball Championship in Ireland the year before it took place. ICHA asked if I’d be interested in going and mentioned there might be a chance for sponsorship. Unfortunately, funding fell through, so I decided to ask my parents if I could go, knowing it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel across the world to compete. My mom ended up covering the expenses so I could attend.

Although there was not a qualification process, I was one of the top junior players in New York at the time and wanted to see how I measured up against the best juniors from around the world. It was truly an honor to take part in a handball competition on such a global scale.”

"The handball community feels like one big family. At tournaments, it’s common for people from the local park to come out and support you. That support makes a real difference. Having a cheering crowd can give you a psychological edge by lifting your spirits and putting pressure on your opponent. Many of the people I’ve met through the sport have become close friends, and those friendships often lead to new opportunities both on and off the court."

"I’m aware that the Irish players dominate the 4 wall small ball. Outside of 4 wall, I haven’t noticed cultural ties or direct links between Irish heritage amongst the big ball one wall.”

“My goal is to continue improving and eventually compete at the highest level in open tournaments.

I also hope to have the opportunity to participate in collegiate 4-wall tournaments, even though I’m not a fan of playing 4-wall.

Regardless, I’m excited to challenge myself and see how far I can go in the sport.”