Since 1940 TJ Spartak Modřany has been a cornerstone of the community. Its history is woven into the very fabric of Modřany. Let’s explore its remarkable journey.
Initially the handball players of TJ Spartak Modřany lacked a dedicated court. They played on a football field near a sugar factory. Later they used a separate area they painstakingly improved themselves.
World War II presented challenges. The team persevered however. A youth team bolstered the men’s team. Post-war they aimed to resume full activity. Training took place on the football field. The youth players helped the team rejoin official competitions.
Disagreements with the football club led to a change in 1946. The handball players built their own court in Modřanská rokle. The new court and clubhouse were completed in 1947. That year the men’s team started playing in official league matches.
By 1953 the men’s team had won the first division of the Central Bohemian region. They even entered national competitions. In 1957 a new agreement ended. The team used a court near the Modřany Sokol house. The men’s team then played in the second league consistently placing among the top three.
In 1959 they won qualification and moved to the first league. Their stay was short however. They were relegated to the second league in 1960. The women’s team also achieved great success from 1959. They reached the second league and then the top league. Both the men’s and women’s teams eventually disbanded in 1963.
A period of international handball followed. The men’s team struggled in the second league. The youth teams however were successful. The men expressed desire to return to Czech handball.
The return to Czech handball in 1967 started with a men’s team. Youth teams were developed. The club had focused training for young players since 1970. That year marked the 30th anniversary of handball in Modřany.
In 1971 the name changed from Czech handball to National handball. In 1984 a change occurred. The Sokol house court was needed for a school building. The team used a schoolyard. Later they played on opposing teams courts. In 1988 a court in a former military storehouse was used.
The handball players rebuilt their own court. The new court in Modřanská rokle took several years. In 1991 the construction was completed. The official opening with a new clubhouse was in June 1992. The surface was asphalted.
The youth teams were very successful. The women’s team did well starting in 1997. They won their regional championship several times. The men’s team also had successes. The 1999/2000 season was a high point. The youth teams won regional titles and competed in national championships.
The year 2011 brought a setback. The clubhouse burned down. The clubhouse was fully destroyed. A new clubhouse was built in 2012. It included a refreshment area called U osamělé blechy.
The club continues to thrive. TJ Spartak Modřany is a testament to dedication and community spirit. It’s more than a sports club. It’s a living legacy.