About Us

Astra handball Club was founded in 2007 by UCD Alumni and former members of the UCD Olympic Handball Club. The aim of the club was to give the opportunity to the UCD players to keep playing handball after finishing college and be open to everyone who want to play handball.

Moreover, the club has the ambitious objective of being the main driver for the development of Olympic handball in the Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County. To promote Handball activity in school, foster players development, education of coaches, referees, sport administrators and Volunteers.

Our Story

The name “Astra” was chosen as a memento of the connection with UCD. Historically whenever UCD OHC had enough players to field a second team, this would be called “Astra”.

On the UCD Belfield Campus there are various halls and campus landmarks called “Astra”. More recently the Sport department started a top performance programme called “AD ASTRA”. The UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports Academy aims to develop a culture of continuous improvement that inspires, educates and delivers excellence in high performance sport.

 

Since the UCD Logo redesign in 2005 it might not be clear why the use of “Astra”. The answer is in the original and historic UCD crest. The old crest had a banner on top with the words AD ASTRA, which is Latin for “TO THE STARS”.  This is what UCD aim to for their students and what Astra HC desires for their players: provide the means to reach high, to realise their full potential and never stop improving. Reach to the Starts.

Philosophy & Mission

As a reminder of the Club objectives Astra HC motto and mission statement is PEOPLE-EDUCATION-PERFORMANCE. The club encourages and support any member attending coaching or refereeing or sport related courses. An investment in people, for the future of the club and of the sport.

The bottom of the crest was decorated with a ribbon saying COMTROM FÉINNE in old gaelic writing.  Cothrom na Féinne’ means the ‘Fairness of the Fianna’. The ‘Fianna’ were an ancient band of warriors that had values of justice, fairness, loyalty and equality.

Every year before the beginning of the playing season AstraHC and UCD OHC play a friendly match to win the Corn Chothrom na Feinne. This is a “Fair play Cup” or “sportsmanship cup”. It is an occasion for the two clubs to remember their common past and renew their friend

ship. It is an occasion to get the teams together before the start of the new season. This competition has been a regular a fixture since 2011.

 

 

The Astra logo was designed in such a way that the capital letter A would represent the letter A, but also a star as astra means Star in Latin, and a stylized handball player. The Graffiti style was chosen to be more child friendly given the club aim to bring new young players into the sport.

The colours of the club are Blue and Green, which are the Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County colours to signify where the club is based and where it operates. The DLRcc have been supporting the club and its objective since the club was funded in 2007.