Author: DV
Junior WPH Juarez Hosts a Junior Round Robin
Junior WPH Juarez continues to be the busiest Junior WPH program in North America, as Head Coach Drft Fernandez organized a junior round robin event in Juarez last weekend on the heels of four major tournament trips. The junior round robin featured 12 junior handball players under the age of 18 competing in two divisions. Alejandro Garcia defeated Andres Cordoba to win the “A” bracket, while Roberto Galarza defeated Diego Arredondo to win the “Novice.”
“We had all of our kids bring one friend that had never played before to play in the round robin,” stated Coach Fernandez. “After each of the kids played three or more matches in the event, we had a fun party.”
In the past four months, Junior WPH Juarez has traveled to the USHA Four Wall Nationals in Southern California, the Colorado State 3-Wall Championships, Junior WPH’s Battle of the Border in Tucson, and the 3WallBall Championships in Las Vegas. Junior WPH Juarez will hit the road again next week for the Simple Green U.S. Open of Handball, followed by the Tucson R48 Memorial/Battle of the Border II two weeks after the Simple Green U.S. Open. Between the four team trips that have seen Team WPH Juarez log more than 8200 miles in the Team Juarez van, Junior WPH Juarez hosts weekly junior handball clinics for the more than 20 active junior players in the junior handball hotbed.
“Junior WPH Juarez is the model for junior handball programs in North America right now,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “Junior WPH Juarez has an incredibly dedicated coach in Drft Fernandez, kids that love to play handball, and a group of handball players in Juarez that help the juniors learn the game and travel to as many tournaments as possible. An enthusiastic coach, a supportive handball community, kids that love to play the game, and weekly clinics is the formula to building an outstanding junior program.”
Do you want to start a junior program in your community? The World Players of Handball can help! The WPH can help to train junior coaches, provide equipment, help you market the program, and provide opportunities for juniors to compete in sanctioned junior tournaments. If you are interested, please contact David Fink at fink@juniorhandball.org.
The 2015 WPH University of West Florida Argonauts Classic
The 2015 WPH Argonauts Classic and Junior WPH Argonauts Collegiate Clinic hosted by the University of West Florida was a huge success, as collegiate players from four prominent handball universities competed and learned handball throughout the weekend at UWF’s Rec Center in Pensacola, FL. “Our goal was for everyone to play as many matches as possible and we accomplished that and then some,” declared UWF Team Founder and WPH Handball Ambassador Michael Morgan. “We used round robin formats for most of the divisions, with more than a few players playing six or seven matches during the weekend. We had 16 entries in the Men’s C, as the beginner players were showcased in the tournament’s largest bracket.”
Former WPH R48 Elite 8 Pro Luis Cordova defended his 2014 Argonauts Classic Open Singles Title, defeating Lake Forest College’s Kyle Kloss in the final. Cordova slammed, teaming with his wife Arelhi to win the Open Doubles. “Arelhi has never lost a game in the open,” boasted Cordova. “Not even Paul Brady can say that.”
Junior WPH was thrilled to present a collegiate handball clinic at the WPH sponsored University of West Florida’s 2015 Argonauts Classic for the third consecutive year. WPH Certified Coach and two-time Argonauts Open Singles champion Luis Cordova coached clinics for more than 30 collegiate handball players from the University of West Florida, University of Texas, Angelo State University, and the University of Illinois. “We split the clinic into two groups based on skill level, working on swing mechanics, serves, return of serve, and shot selection,” stated Argonauts tournament director Coach Morgan. “Overall everyone had an amazing time and is excited about next year.”
“The UWF handball team would really like to thank the WPH and the rest of our supporters for helping us make this year’s Argonauts Classic a huge success,” stated Morgan. “Everyone at the University of West Florida truly appreciates what you do for the team.”
To follow the UWF Handball Team on Facebook, click here. To follow all of the initiatives of Junior WPH, Like Junior WPH on Facebook or follow the Junior WPH at juniorhandball.org.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Junior WPH Clinic at the 2015 Plummer Bash
WPH Master Instructor David Fink, NFL Legend and Plummer Bash Host Jake Plummer, and Top 10 R48 Pro Stephen Cooney hosted a Junior WPH Clinic for seven enthusiastic youngsters at the 2015 Jake Plummer Family Bash. The coaches taught footwork, throwing and hitting the ball with both hands, and having fun on the handball court. The youngsters took center stage at the premier handball event in Idaho, relishing the opportunity to learn from an NFL great and two R48 pros. “I just love seeing the kids on the handball court,” declared an excited Plummer. “This is such a great game and I could already see some of the kids getting hooked.”
JR WPH Benefit *No Entry Fee Event – Nov 6-8, 2015
NOV 6-8TH, 2015, TUCSON, AZ, PRESS- ESPN & The World Players of Handball have teamed up for another High Desert Southwest Showdown, as the WPH enters its 5th R48Pro Season. This “No-Entry-Fee/Donation-Only” event is designed to raise funds for the Junior WPH Development program. A program that has featured over 2,000 junior clinics to over 6,000 handballers, “We perform clinics at all R48Pro Stops while on the road, plus outdoor big ball 3 wall cup stops,” says WPH ED, Dave Vincent. “Having the pros on the same court as juniors is inspiring, but that’s not all. We have certified coaches on both coasts and in multiple countries. We have developed an amazing coaching manual and perform routine instructional(s) at college rec centers, clubs and tournaments all over this globe. It’s inspired us to bring you into the mix with our Junior Benefit Tournament this upcoming November, alongside the Tucson Memorial.”
The Tucson Memorial Handball Open (Nov 6-8th, 2015) was designed to honor and celebrate friends and family of the sport, that have passed, with hopes of highlighting their life achievements, archiving their legacies, and sharing their stories. Tucson Memorial Handball Open (Nov 6-8th, 2015) was designed to honor and celebrate friends and family of the sport, that have passed, with hopes of highlighting their life achievements, archiving their legacies, and sharing their stories.
“Handball is a very personal sport. We play this game with our hands–striking a ball against a wall and repeating the motions in search of something that is hard to define. There is not much gear involved or fancy clothing necessary. We show up and play. Some show up and become staples in the handball community. …Characters. …Jokesters. …Leaders. Some show up, play and silently go home leaving us wondering who they are away from the game. In all, over time, we find ourselves competing with our closest of friends. This tournament (November 6-8th, Tucson, Arizona) and is designed to honor and celebrate the lives of those that have come and gone; affecting our lives in the process.”
THE EVENT: The World Players of Handball, along with ESPN, bring a unique professional handball tour stop as WPH Live TV enters its 5th year of professional Race4Eight action. This Junior WPH Benefit event is an “No-Entry-Fee” Tournament; allowing the participant the ability to play up to two divisions, while making a donation to the Junior WPH Development Fund (of any size) at their will. The WPH is a tax exempt 501c3 Non-Profit Foundation.
WPH Race Schedule 2015/16, Rankings and Rules (4 Wall Small Ball Professional Handball Tour, by ESPN3) – HERE>
FREE Event Divisions:
1.Divisions Offered (can play four ways; ***but some restrictions below)
PAPER MAIL Postmarked BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2015 (ONLINE BY 11/3)
JUNIOR WPH SMALL BALL 4W SINGLES 9U, 11U, 13U, 15U
JUNIOR WPH SMALL BALL 4W DOUBLES 13U, 15U, 17U
JUNIOR WPH BIG BALL 4W SINGLES 9U, 11U, 13U, 15U, BIG BALL DOUBLE BOUNCE 9U NOVICE
WPH SMALL BALL 4W SINGLES QUAL, A, B, C, 50, 60, 70, WOMEN A/B
WPH SMALL BALL 4W DOUBLES B, C, 50+, 60+, PRO/AM *Not FREE Division* $80 per player; winner takes all
WPH BIG BALL 4W SINGLES PRO, B, 50+
WPH BIG BALL 4W DOUBLES PRO, B, 50+
2.Donate to Junior WPH:
This “No-Entry-Fee/Donation-Only” event is designed to raise funds for the Junior WPH Development program; featuring over 2,000 junior clinics per year; performing clinics at all R48Pro Stops while on the road, plus outdoor big ball 3 wall cup stops, and non-pro events around the country. WPH believes in having the pros on the same court as juniors, to inspire. The new WPH Coaching Manual is landmark-important and is used at college rec centers, clubs and tournaments all over this globe. “It’s inspired us to bring you into the mix with our Junior Benefit Tournament this upcoming November, alongside the Tucson Memorial. Please do join us and bring a newbie w/you so they can learn too!” -WPH
Tax-deductible gifts ~ Send payment to: WPH, 3561 E SUNRISE DRIVE #125, TUCSON, AZ, 85718
(Donation is not required to participate)
Join the WPH (Member): r$30 (basic) r$75 (All Access Viewing Pass)
*Must be WPH member to participate; see member benefits @ www.wphpass.com
3.Awards: R48Pro Men: 1st $5,000, 2nd $2,000, 3rd/4th $1,250, & payouts from 5th-16th
Big Ball Pro Sgls & Dbls: 1st $1,000, 2nd $600, 3rd/4th $400, & payouts from 5th-8th
Big Ball B Singles: 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd/4th 150, & payouts from 5th-8th
*To qualify for $$$, all big ball players must also play in one small ball division
Small Ball 4W Pro/Am Dubs: $80 per player entry (100% of the profits goes toward Jr WPH)
1st Place: $1,000 winner-takes-all!
*Enter the event w/out a partner; players will be matched in a bind draw
All other divisions receive medals and trophies for finalists
Directors:
David Vincent (R48Pro) Email: vincent@wphlive.tv
Tom Flores (Big Ball) Phone: (323) 605-6679 Email: flores@wphoutdoor.com
David Fink (Junior WPH) Email: fink@race4eight.com
JR WPH Updated Outdoor Rankings: Post Vegas
The WPH has held multiple junior events throughout the season; none more exciting than the Marina Park Back2School Bash that netted just over 150 players under the age of 23, just 40 days back. Recently, in Las Vegas, Junior WPH & Coaches hosted clinics to over 50 non-handball playing youth, followed by even more high profile junior handball competition.
During this time, JR WPH has been tracking the progress of the junior player and has come up with a ranking system for those 20 and under, 16 and under, 14 and under and 10 and under. Today, we are pleased to share them with you.
Ranking events include 1 Wall Big Ball at Venice Beach; 3 Wall Big Ball @ Vegas and Huntington Beach:
| WPH Outdoor 20-and-under Big Ball Rankings | |||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Venice ’15 | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Andrew Garcia (CA) | 28 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | Rodolfo Ruiz (CA) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Angel Herrera (CA) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 3 | Marco Alatorre (CA) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 5 | Daniel Palacios (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Alfredo Leyva (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Jason Ke (NY) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Octavio Romero (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Alex Garcia (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | Eli Roberto (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Brian Pacheco (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Danny Romero (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Salomon Gallego (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| WPH Outdoor 16 and Under | |||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Venice ’15 | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Danny Vasquez (CA) | 18 | 8 | 0 | 10 |
| 1 | Jesus Mendez (CA) | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | Manuel Yep (CA) | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Oscar Sordia (CA) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Leonardo Castillo (CA) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 5 | Andre Moreno (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Edgar Olivar JR (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Fabian Moreno (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Henry Razo (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Octavio Romero (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Adrian Ortiz (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Bryan Alvarez (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Caleb Valle (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Jesus Rivas (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Junior Casas (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| WPH Outdoor 14-and-Under | |||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Venice ’15 | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Eddie Rocha (CA) | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| 2 | Michael Bautista (CA) | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | Jesus Mendez Jr (CA) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Eddie Barrios (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Xavier Flores (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Mauricio Ortiz (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 | Jacob Marin (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Ramon Yep JR (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 9 | Freddy Espindola (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | Miguel Valencia (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | JP Herrera (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | Edguardo Vargas (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| WPH Outdoor 10-and-Under | ||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Benjamin Torres Jr (CA) | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| 2 | Xavier Flores (CA) | 12 | 4 | 8 |
| 3 | Jacob Marin (CA) | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Jessie Barrientos (CA) | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 5 | Ramon Yep (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Angel Arazia (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Andres Araiza (MEX) | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | Destiny Rabino (CA) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | Gabriel Gonzalez Jr (CA) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | Javi Valle (CA) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Wednesday Night Junior WPH Vegas Youth Clinic
Junior WPH Kicked off the 6th annual WPH/WOR 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino with a Junior WPH Clinic for several dozen Las Vegas youth, with outdoor greats Timbo Gonzalez and Shorty Ruiz joining WPH Master Instructor David Fink in an exciting 3WallBall instructional.
Fink, Gonzalez and Ruiz stressed the importance of technique throughout the coaching session, with each coach teaching a different shot. After practicing the various shots introduced, the 50 junior first-time players jumped into target-practice games and doubles action with one another. “It’s always great to see so many youngsters enjoying the game for the first time,” stated Fink. “Our hope is that they continue playing this great game and enjoying all that it has to offer.
Junior WPH will be running more junior clinics throughout the five-day 3WallBall event, as well as a junior handball tournament throughout the weekend on the famed 3WallBall courts.
To watch live big ball and small ball play from the Stratosphere on Friday, tune into the Watch ESPN App (here). To follow all of the scores and draws from Vegas, click here. To follow all of the updates from Vegas and in the world of handball, go to wphlive.tv
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Junior WPH Clinic at the 2015 WPH/WOR 3 Wallball World Championships!
The World Players of Handball is thrilled to present a Junior WPH handball clinic at the famed Stratosphere 3-WallBall court complex on September 23rd, 2015 at 6 pm. The World Players of Handball hosts more than 500 junior handball clinics per year across the United States with certified coaches that are trained to work with groups of all sizes, levels and ages.
“The World Players of Handball could not be more excited to introduce handball to an enthusiastic group of youngsters at the home of 3WallBall,” stated WPH Master Instructor and Development Director David Fink. “The WPH/WOR 3WallBall Championships is the premiere outdoor event of the year and having the opportunity to work alongside racquetball and introduce youngsters to handball is the main priority of our organization. Don’t miss the clinic with several of the world’s top handball pros and instructors on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6 pm!”
Junior WPH prides itself on presenting the most fun, most educational and most structured junior handball clinics in the world. Every aspect of the game of handball is covered in all Junior WPH handball clinics, including the rules, the warm-up, stroke instruction, drills, drill-based games, group games, target-hitting competitions, and cross training. The goal of Junior WPH is to inspire the next generation of handball players. The World Players of Handball mandates that all of our instructors pass a rigorous series of exams before teaching clinics.
Meet the pros:
David Fink: Ranked as high as #2 on the WPH Race 4 Eight Pro Tour in early 2014, Fink combines a lifetime of handball experience with extensive knowledge of the game and working with youngsters. Fink wrote the WPH Coaching Manual and serves as the Junior WPH National Director. Fink coaches more than 100 junior handball clinics per year, while overseeing all aspects of Junior WPH
Timothy “Timbo” Gonzalez: Red Bull sponsored athlete Timbo Gonzalez is the undisputed #1 1-Wall Big Ball star in the world, recently winning the 1-Wall Big Ball Singles World Title in Calgary and New York City’s King of the Courts, two of the most prestigious titles in the sport. Not satisfied with just being the #1 1-Wall Big Ball star, Timbo has crossed over and excelled at 3-Wall Big Ball, winning multiple WPH Outdoor Doubles Yellow Jerseys and advancing to the finals of the 2014 WPH Outdoor Vegas LTE Pro Singles at the Stratosphere. Timbo’s talent and passion for 1-Wall and 3-Wall extends to coaching junior handball players, as he is one of the handball’s greatest coaches. Timbo coaches dozens of Red Bull and Junior WPH clinics each year in New York City, California and Nevada
Shorty Ruiz: Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and dynamic players in handball, Shorty Ruiz generates electricity and buzz in every match he plays. Ruiz proved that he is one of the sport’s elite, slamming the WPH/WOR 3WallBall singles and doubles in 2011. Ruiz brings the same enthusiasm and passion for playing as he does coaching junior players, making learning and playing the game fun for junior handball players of all levels
Jonathan Iglesias: Iglesias travels the world playing and coaching handball, as his passion for the sport is matched by very few. Ranked inside the top 12 on the WPH Race 4 Eight tour, Iglesias is a fixture on the professional handball circuit. Combining the love for the sport he developed on the 1-Wall courts in New York City as a youngster with coaching the next generation of players has made Iglesias one of the game’s premiere instructors, as he has hosted successful and enjoyable clinics in New York, Costa Rica, California, and Arizona in the last year.
Back2School Bash this weekend! Junior Entries Remain Open
The Junior WPH 3 Wall Big Ball California State Showdown-Back 2 School Bash and Hemborg Ford Cup Stop #4 is just two days away, but if you are 21 or younger, you can still register by 10am on Saturday. Contact us if you want to play! Only $5 entry for the junior players and prizes, souvenirs and State Championship Trophies are on the line! Email us at info@wphlive.tv
Huntington Beach’s Marina Park will host the final 2015 WPH Outdoor regular season stop of the summer, as WPH Outdoor pros aim for critical ranking points in advance of the WPH Cup Championship at September’s WPH/WOR 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships (entry here). 
WPH Outdoor #1 Samzon Hernandez, #2 Juan Santos, Venice Big Ball Xrossover champion Lobo Valencia, Venice Big Ball Xrosssover finalist Fredo Morales, R48 cross over star Jonathan Iglesias and many more top stars will be in action!
The Back 2 School Bash will also feature an exciting Junior WPH clinic and divisions for juniors of all ages. More than 60 juniors under the age of 20 are expected!
To read the full preview on the B2S Bash, click here.
The Junior WPH 3 Wall Big Ball California State Showdown-Back 2 School Bash and Hemborg Ford Cup Stop #4 will not be broadcast, but stay tuned to wphlive.tv, Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on all of the results from Southern California.