Founded in 1984, the Federación Puertorriqueña de Balonmano is the body recognized by the International Handball Federation (IHF) and the North America and Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) to govern, organize, and grow handball in Puerto Rico.
To develop and promote handball in Puerto Rico in all its forms — court and beach — training athletes, referees, and coaches, and representing the island with excellence on the international stage.
To be a leading federation in the Caribbean: with active leagues in every region, competitive national teams, and a youth pipeline that keeps the sport growing for generations.
PE teacher Rafael "Rafy" Sepúlveda introduces handball to the island through a physical education project, planting the seed for what would become federated handball in Puerto Rico.
The Federación Puertorriqueña de Balonmano is established and affiliates that same year with the International Handball Federation (IHF), later joining the North America and Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) as well.
The women's national team competes at an IHF World Championship for the first time, in Denmark, finishing in 20th place.
At the IHF World Championship in Spain, the women's national team — known as "Las Fieras" — beats Uzbekistan 30-24 and advances to the round of 16, its best-ever World Championship result.
Puerto Rico debuts at the IHF Beach Handball World Championship, held in Greece, finishing in 16th place.
The men's U-17 team represents Puerto Rico at the first-ever IHF Men's U-17 World Championship, held in Morocco.
The men's national team wins the silver medal at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, falling 34-29 to Cuba in the final — an improvement on the fourth-place finish at San Salvador 2023.
The team leading the development of Puerto Rican handball.
Coaching staff, officiating and representation that make every tournament possible.
