A new era in women’s handball
Filipa Franco has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the senior women’s handball team of Club Sports da Madeira (CS Madeira). This new phase comes in the wake of Helena Mendes’ departure, at a decisive moment for the club, which is preparing for its return to the National Championship of the 1st Division next season.
Franco’s previous roles included assisting Helena Mendes over the last two seasons and serving as the training coordinator at CS Madeira. With this promotion, she begins her first experience as head coach at a club where she has invested in her technical career over the years.
With a remarkable past as a handball player, Franco currently holds the Master Coach degree from the European Handball Federation (EHF), which undoubtedly adds value to her profile for coaching a team in such a highly competitive league.
This announcement is crucial for CS Madeira, which last year achieved promotion to the top tier of women’s handball in Portugal and now faces the challenge of establishing itself among the best in the country. The new coach will be responsible not only for ensuring survival but also for the growth of the team in light of the demands of the 1st Division.
The change in technical leadership also reflects the club’s commitment to the continuity and appreciation of the existing talents within its structure. Filipa Franco, already integrated into the sports project, brings with her a deep knowledge of the team and the aspirations of CS Madeira.
Although no official statements or concrete plans for the upcoming season have yet been released, the move has generated great anticipation among fans and the handball community in Madeira. The Diário de Notícias and the Jornal da Madeira extensively reported this change on June 26, 2025, signaling the start of a new chapter for CS Madeira under the leadership of Filipa Franco.
Expectation for the future
The handball community eagerly awaits the guidelines and philosophy that Filipa Franco will bring to the team, excited to follow her progress in the elite of national women’s handball.
