Meldungen

Interview with professional handball player Aaron Mensing Aaron Mensing (29) is a professional handball player for Bundesliga club MT Melsungen, with whom he recently won the European League. He is also studying at the German Sport University Cologne. In the coming days, he is due to sit his exams for the European Handball Manager Certificate of Advanced Studies. In this interview, he talks, amongst other things, about how he used his long injury lay-off to further his professional future and what he particularly likes about the European Handball Certificate of Advanced Studies. How did your return to the team go after your long injury lay-off? Getting back into the team was definitely a challenge. After such a long break, you first have to get used to the physical demands again and, above all, regain confidence in your own body. At the same time, the team helped me enormously to get back into the swing of things. Step by step, I realised that things were getting better again, and overall I’m really pleased with how it’s gone. What motivated you to take part in the European Handball Manager? I’d been wanting to develop my skills outside of handball for a while, particularly in the area of management. The EHM is ideal for this because it’s tailored specifically to our sport. What appealed to me most of all was the chance to get to know handball from a different perspective. What were your impressions and feelings as you headed home after the first residential phase? I felt really positive. It was exciting to chat with people who, in some cases, have completely different perspectives on the sport. At the same time, you quickly realise that many share similar thoughts, particularly when it comes to life after their playing careers. I’ve certainly taken away a lot of useful input. To what extent have your expectations of the EHM been met – or not met? So far, my expectations have definitely been met. The content is practical and well tailored to handball. I find the interaction with fellow students particularly valuable. What fascinates you most about the EHM? I’m particularly excited by the glimpse behind the scenes. As a player, there’s a lot you don’t really notice. Through the EHM, you gain a better understanding of how clubs operate and the reasoning behind their decisions. How well are professional handball players generally prepared for a career after their sporting career? That varies from player to player. Some start thinking about it early on, others later. During their playing careers, the focus is naturally entirely on the sport. That makes programmes like the EHM all the more important, as they help players to start thinking about their future in good time. What advice would you give to other professional handball players who are thinking about life after their sporting careers? Start thinking about it early on, and stay open to new ideas. You don’t have to know everything straight away, but it helps to continue your education on the side or gain other experiences. That way, you gradually create various opportunities for life after your sporting career. About the European Handball Manager certificate programme (available in German only)