Aranmare Toyama of the women’s handball league has added a new player and is aiming to win its first League H title. The season opens on the 12th of this month, and the team is working to improve coordination and physical conditioning ahead of its opening match against Gifu.
The new season of League H, Japan’s top-level handball league, will open on the 12th of this month. Aranmare Toyama finished third last season and reached the playoffs, but is targeting its first championship this season.
The team has added Gray Claire Francis as a new player. The 29-year-old, whose father is Australian and mother Japanese, is regarded as a key player for the opening match because of her experience in international competitions.
Francis expressed her determination to make a strong start in the opening match and win all 5 matches played before the end of the year. Captain Takahira Runa (髙比良琉南) said that the contribution of the new player toward becoming Japan’s national champion in the coming season was motivating for the team.
Preparations for this season extend beyond physical conditioning to improving tactical exchanges with opponents. The team is also working to strengthen coordination and its ability to think through situations by increasing meeting time.