Draft:Islington Handball Club

Islington Handball Club (IHC), also known as the "Rats", is an English handball team based in Islington, London. The club was founded in 2012 and has men's, women's and youth teams. In 2023, IHC's senior men's team entered the Premier League (South), England Handball Association's (EHA) top male competition.

History
IHC was founded in 2012 after an influx of interest in the sport due to the 2012 London Olympics. Initially, the team had three teams (one of each for men's, women's, and youth). The teams competed in EHA's regional leagues.

In 2017, the men's team reached the English Cup final and secured promotion to the top English Handball competition, the Premier League. The club failed to take up due to administrative mistakes, and was demoted to third division.

In 2023, the men's top team won the Regional South East (South) competition, leading to playoff competitions against other regional winners and an eventual promotion to the Premier League.

Teams
IHC currently fields four teams in EHA competitions:


 * Three men's teams:
 * Team 1, competing in the EHA Premier League (South).
 * Team 2, competing in the EHA Regional League South 1. The team acts as a development base for potential Team 1 players.
 * Team 3, competing in the EHA Regional League South 2 (East). The team is open to players of any skill-level.
 * One women's team, competing in the EHA Regional League South.
 * A youth team, aiming to introduce children under 18 to the game.