About
YALIKAVAK SPOR KULÜBÜ
Yalıkavakspor, the women's handball team of Yalıkavak in Bodrum, is a success story that runs from a small Aegean coastal town to the top of Turkish handball. Known as the "Daughters of the Sea", the team won back-to-back Turkish Women's Handball Super League titles and now represents Bodrum in the EHF European League. Home matches are played at Bodrum Binnaz Karakaya Indoor Sports Hall.
History
Yalıkavak Sports Club grew out of the town of Yalıkavak in Bodrum to become one of the strongest sides in Turkish women's handball.
Our roots reach back to 1987. The club was founded on 19 October 1987 as Yalıkavak Municipality Sports Club, with the support of Yalıkavak Municipality, to bring local young people into sport. After the town municipality was dissolved in 2014, the club continued as Yalıkavak Sports Club.
The journey of our women's handball team — known as the "Daughters of the Sea" — began in 2008 with a squad made up entirely of players living in Yalıkavak. In the 2016-2017 season we competed in the Turkish Women's Handball First League and reached the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup, becoming the leading women's team representing Muğla.
Our youth setup is the heart of the club. With teams of girls aged 10-12 we have twice been Turkish champions at mini level and twice runners-up in the junior and cadet categories. Eight of our players have been called up to the national team, and one has played for the Beach Handball A National Team. Today dozens of licensed young players are developing in categories from U11 to U14.
Recent years have been years at the summit. After winning the Turkish Cup and the Super Cup, we claimed back-to-back Super League titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25, and finished 2025-26 as league runners-up. That success carried us to Europe: we now have the honour of representing Bodrum and Türkiye in the EHF European League.
Timeline
1987
Foundation
The club was founded on 19 October 1987 as Yalıkavak Municipality Sports Club, with the support of Yalıkavak Municipality, to bring local young people into sport.
2008
The women's handball team is formed
The women's handball team, nicknamed the "Daughters of the Sea", set out with a squad made up entirely of players living in Yalıkavak.
2014
A new identity
After the town municipality was dissolved, the club continued its work as Yalıkavak Sports Club.
2016-2017
First League and the first big run
Competing in the Turkish Women's Handball First League, the team reached the Turkish Cup quarter-finals and became the leading women's handball side in Muğla.
2022-2023
The first major trophy
Turkish Cup champions, and winners of the Women's Super Cup.
2023-2024
Super League champions
The team won its first Turkish Women's Handball Super League title, and lifted another Super Cup in the same period.
2024-2025
Back-to-back titles
Yalıkavakspor retained the Super League title, becoming Turkish champions in consecutive seasons.
2025
New leadership
At the ordinary general assembly on 15 July 2025, Emin Palalı was elected club president. Mehmet Esen, who served for ten years and brought the club five trophies, was presented with a plaque of thanks.
2025-2026
The European stage
Qualifying for the EHF European League through the previous title, Yalıkavakspor beat Danish side HH Elite 25-24 at home in the first leg of the second qualifying round. The team finished the Super League season as runners-up.
Honours
- 2025-26Women's Super League Runners-up
- 2024-25Women's Super League Champion
- 2023-24Women's Super League Champion
- 2024Women's Super Cup Winner
- 2023Women's Super Cup Winner
- 2022-23Women's Turkish Cup Winner
Mission
To bring young people into sport, to carry the talent raised in Yalıkavak onto the Turkish and European stage, and to fly Bodrum's flag as high as it will go. A title is not a dream — it is a target.
Board of Directors
The club is governed by a board of 9 members. See the board →
Facilities
Home matches are played at Bodrum Binnaz Karakaya Indoor Sports Hall.