Author: DV

Danos Inspires at UT

Posted on November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 by DV

Austin, Texas, World Players of Handball– Press, November Nineteenth, 2024

Five-time Race-4-Eight champion and new Austin resident Daniel Cordova coached a Junior-WPH Clinic for fifteen University of Texas handball team members on the first Wednesday in November at UT’s Gregory Gym.

The fan favorite known for his hops, touch, and power, Danos shared his knowledge with the group that ranged from beginners to open players.

“I gave them some tips on how to consistently hit a good power serve,” stated Danos. “We worked on power and control and did a drill to calibrate overhand shots. I spoke to them about the importance of timing and using body movement to improve their power. Worked on some back wall drills as well and gave them tips on how to improve their fly kills. I opened it up to questions at the end and I was surprised with how many people asked questions. A beginner asked what would be a good second serve, so I dove into that a bit. Someone else asked about ways to improve their offhand. I also showed them a good way to warm up and narrow in on their kill shots.”

Danos played games against several of UT’s top players after the clinic.

“Great time!” exclaimed University of Texas handball team coach and ambassador Noel Aguilar. “Daniel touched on the importance of stepping into the kill shot, shots off the back wall, and shared some warm up tips and drills. He discussed his mindset during close games and the revolving door (kill). Everyone definitely enjoyed it.”

Thank you to Daniel Cordova for coaching and Noel Aguilar for organizing an outstanding JR WPH clinic for the University of Texas handball players.

Each member of the Race 4 Eight Elite 8 has coached a JR WPH clinic in 2024. Wow! Thank you to the elite players in the sport for spending their time and sharing their expertise with the next generation of players.

Keep an eye out on juniorhandball.org, as new clinic opportunities and recaps pop up weekly. Want to coach a clinic or a junior handball program? Need more information regarding junior handball? The Junior WPH group spans multiple countries, continents and oceans with clinics happening daily. We can help! Contact WPH Development Director David Fink at david.fink@wphlive.tv

To enable Junior WPH to continue to host junior handball clinics and tournaments across North America with Certified WPH Coaches, the World Players of Handball invites you to make a tax-deductible donation today in supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line HERE or send your generous gifts through PayPal (HERE) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3602 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716

Become a handball insider by enjoying never before seen videos, pro commentary, special awards, Sports Casts archives and new episodes, live broadcasts, and much more by supporting the WPH and inspiring the next generation of players through the WPH Patreon program.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

JR WPH Hosts Carl Hayden

Posted on October 21, 2024October 21, 2024 by DV

Tucson, Arizona, World Players of Handball-Press, October nineteenth, 2024:

Junior-WPH was proud to host six of Carl Hayden High School’s handball players for a special Saturday clinic, target-hitting, and singles and doubles match play at the Tucson Racquet Club. Carl Hayden Handball Coach Chris Hogan drove the six enthusiastic high school players from Phoenix to Tucson for the Saturday small ball 4-Wall afternoon lessons with Coaches David Fink, Sam Esser, and Jesse Aranda. Coaches Fink, Esser, and Aranda coached the overhand swing, sidearm swing, and underarm swing, in addition to the back wall shot, serve, and return of serve, with the kids rotating courts to learn from the three coaches.

Following swing and shot instructional, the juniors competed in target-hitting and rallying games and a singles round robin for WPH prizes.

The juniors then teamed up for a Handball Davis Cup, with the six players separated into teams of three to play singles on one court and doubles on the other.

“This is so different from coming here for a tournament,” Coach Hogan would say. “The kids were able to get a lot of instruction and they really got a great workout.”

“Coach Hogan is one of the game’s most selfless coaches and people,” stated WPH Master Instructor David Fink. “Like all of us, Coach Hogan loves handball and shares his passion for the game with hundreds of high school students each day at Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School’s 3-Wall handball courts. Coach Hogan changes lives by providing Carl Hayden High School students with the opportunity to travel, compete, and meet people from all over the world through handball. We are so grateful for Coach Hogan.”

Thank you to Coach Hogan for driving the Carl Hayden bus from Phoenix and for inspiring high school handball players every day. Thank you to coaches David Fink, Sam Esser, and Jesse Aranda for volunteering their time on Saturday afternoon to give back to the game and inspire the Phoenix high school players. Thank you to the Tucson Racquet Club for always graciously opening their doors to JR WPH to inspire junior handball players.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

JR WPH Clinic at the Texas A&M

Posted on October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 by DV

College Station, Texas, World Players of Handball Foundation Press, 10/13/24

Written by Martin Mulkerrins

Following the very successful Junior-WPH Clinic at Texas A&M at the end of September, Martin Mulkerrins led another Junior WPH clinic during the Texas A&M Race 4 Eight Pre Qualifiers/Fall 2024 Aggieland Classic.

The clinic was attended by students from Texas A&M, the University of Texas, Angelo State University, Missouri State University and a future star, 10-year-old Tyler from Corpus Christi. A number of shots, drills and strategies were discussed in relation to footwork, serves, returning wrap-around shots, and hitting kills and back wall shots.

“The group were interested in many different aspects of the game but we focused most of our time and attention on serving, as it was a commonly mentioned topic of interest and was applicable to all the skill levels within the group,” stated Martin Mulkerrins. “I thought there were great contributions and technical questions asked. I also think everybody learned something from the clinic, in particular how they can improve on their serves, through the demonstrations provided and through the discussions and feedback given to participants who took turns at serving.”

Thank you to Martin for growing the game daily at Texas A&M and across the globe.

Clinic photo courtesy of Eilish Owens

Texas A&M Race 4 Eight Pre Qualifiers/Fall 2024 Aggieland Classic recap HERE

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

Carroll Coaches Clinic

Posted on October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 by DV

Beaverton, Oregon, World Players of Handball Foundation Press, 10/10/24

Twenty-three-time Race-4-Eight champion Killian Carroll coached a JR WPH clinic at Sexton Mountain Elementary School in Beaverton, OR on the first Thursday in October. Carroll hit the ball with the kids after school in the school’s outdoor play area, with the group of youngsters and Killian playing for nearly two hours. “The kids did not want to stop but after two hours it was time for dinner,” stated Sexton Mountain Elementary School parent and WPH broadcast crew member Che Lowenstein.

JR WPH proudly provided the gloves and balls for the kids

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Ray Ure Coaches JR WPH Clinic

Posted on October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 by DV

Portland, Oregon, World Players of Handball Foundation Press, 10/9/24

Minutes after becoming the youngest Race 4 Eight finalist in history at the 2024 Portland Classic, Ray Ure jumped back into the court and coached a junior clinic for several enthusiastic youngsters at the Multnomah Athletic Club, teaching the side arm swing and playing two-bounce with the youngsters. Thank you, Ray!

“What a thrill for these youngsters to watch a pro make the finals then share the court with him ten minutes later,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “The WPH is so proud to see our young pros giving back to the game and inspiring the next generation of players.”

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Mulkerrins Hosts Clinics

Posted on September 26, 2024October 10, 2024 by DV

College Station, TX, World Players of Handball Foundation Press, 9/27/24

Written by Martin Mulkerrins

Texas A&M Handball Club hosted a JR WPH sponsored clinic on September 25^th, with more than forty attendees participating over the course of the two-and-a-half-hour session. Martin Mulkerrins delivered two clinics, one for students trying Handball for the first time or in their first few weeks playing, and the second for intermediate/advanced club players.

The first clinic focused on the fundamentals of the game in terms of footwork, cupping the hand when striking, and keeping the eye on the ball as well as some drills to use to improve on the back wall shot.

The second clinic primarily focused on the back wall shot, and more specifically, how to practice back wall kill shots. Different drills were discussed and demonstrated with each student present getting the chance to try to kill the ball. This drill was coupled with a “hit the target” competition, which was won by Rhys Pardoe. Rhys selected one of the Handball shirts that were kindly sponsored by the WPH for the clinic.

After the clinics students played some matches and also got the opportunity to win more WPH sponsored prizes (shirts, gloves, balls etc.). Another kill shot/hit the target competition was enjoyed by everybody and this was followed by a mini tournament for the students who had started playing this semester. After a number of timed games Shiva Shelvaraju won the tournament against Luke Bethancourt.

“It was a super turnout for the clinic, our biggest attendance so far this semester,” stated handball ambassador and coach Martin Mulkerrins. “All of us here at TAMU are very thankful to the WPH for their continued support for our program. The sponsored shirts, gloves, balls and medals generated that bit of extra excitement during the clinic. We look forward to more events like this in the future and in the short term we are excited for the WPH R48 Pre-Qualifier which will take place here on October 11/12^th as part of the Johnson/Mathis Aggieland Classic”.

Thank you to R48 #1 and 2023/24 WPH Race 4 Eight Sportsmanship Award Winner for organizing and hosting this inspiring JR WPH Clinic.

Photos courtesy of Eilish Owens

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

JR WPH @ 24 Memorial

Posted on September 25, 2024September 25, 2024 by DV

Tucson, Arizona, WPH Press, September 24th, 2024

Junior-WPH was thrilled to host several dozen junior handball players at the 2024 Memorial handball tournament at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club. Juniors from Tucson, Phoenix, Juarez, El Paso, Colorado, and Ireland competed in Junior singles, Pro singles, A singles, B singles, and doubles brackets during the first event of the 2024/25 Race 4 Eight season.

JR WPH is proud to offer events to inspire the next generation of players, providing junior and collegiate players the opportunity to watch the pros, compete against one another, and build lifelong friendships and memories. While the top pros may garner most of the attention at the Race 4 Eight events, it is the junior players who provide the most inspiration and excitement.

Thank you to all of the coaches who traveled with the junior players and inspire the youngsters each day.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Watkins Mentors

Posted on August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by DV

Los Angeles, California, Junior-World Players of Handball Press, August 26th, 2024

Junior-WPH Coach and World Players of Handball social media influencer Ryan “Waddy Pup” Watkins introduced a group of thirty youngsters between the ages of four to eight years old to handball at the Los Angeles Athletic Club Summer Camp in July. Coach Watkins split the youngsters into two groups of fifteen, working on throwing the ball with both hands, hitting the ball off drop feeds, and paired the players into groups of two to play two-bounce.

“The kids learned the fundamentals of the numerous sports offered at the LAAC Summer Camp,” barked the Pup. “After watching a few of us play during their lunch break, many kids expressed interest in giving handball a try. We offered to give them lessons and they incorporated handball into the last week of the summer camp.”

Thank you to the Waddy Pup for inspiring the next generation of players at the LAAC.

Enter the March 21-23, 2025 Race 4 Eight LAAC HERE

2024/25 Race 4 Eight schedule and entries HERE

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer