USA Team Handball has announced the additions of Michael Wall and Tracy Deforge to its Board of Directors as well as the hiring of Melissa Zhang as communications manager ©USA Team Handball

USA Team Handball has announced the additions of Michael Wall and Tracy Deforge to its Board of Directors as well as the hiring of Melissa Zhang as communications manager.

Wall, who will also serve as chair of the Board of Directors, brings more than 24 years of sports industry experience to the organisation.

He served as the chief legal officer for the multi-purpose arena TD Garden and ice hockey team the Boston Bruins for 13 years.

Following his tenure with the TD Garden, Wall served as executive vice-president, general counsel and corporate secretary for sports equipment and apparel manufacturer, Performance Sports Group.

He currently works for Foley & Lardner LLP as a member of its Sports and Entertainment Group and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Boston Bruins Foundation.

"Handball is an exciting, fast-paced sport with plenty to offer the US audience," Wall said.

"I look forward to helping USA Team Handball bring this sport to new heights in this country and integrating handball into mainstream American sports culture."

Deforge, an attorney, has focused on start-up companies and sports and media technology offerings.

USA Team Handball is responsible for the development of grassroots programmes and preparation of national teams for international competition, including the Pan American and Olympic Games ©USA Team Handball/Twitter
USA Team Handball is responsible for the development of grassroots programmes and preparation of national teams for international competition, including the Pan American and Olympic Games ©USA Team Handball/Twitter

Deforge worked in business development for the NHL and Major League Baseball and co-founded The Players' Impact, a venture platform for professional athletes.

She also founded the Boston chapter of Women in Sports and Events, which represents the voices of women working in the sports industry.

As communications manager, Zhang will lead the coordination and implementation of marketing plans, website and social media development, and content management while serving as the lead public relations contact for USA Team Handball.

She comes to the organisation from the communications department of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

"I am thrilled to have Michael and Tracy bring their vast experience to our Board and leadership team," Barry Siff, USA Team Handball’s chief executive, said.

"Their sports business acumen brings a whole new dimension to the organisation.

"The mission of exposing this internationally popular game to the United States will be Melissa’s main task, and given her experience with the USOPC, we are confident that road will be well-paved."