’26 Kickback Classic Wraps

Posted on February 10, 2026February 10, 2026 by DV

Phoenix, Arizona, Junior-World Players of Handball Foundation Press, 2/9/26

The Carl Hayden Handball Club was proud to present the 2026 Doubles Handball Kickback Classic on the campus of Carl Hayden High School starting on the first Saturday in February and ending on Monday. The 2026 Kickback Classic featured 16 junior players and eight open players competing on the high school’s 3-Wall courts. Players played between four to eight games during the event.

“We had an epic battle for the junior singles title on Monday,” exclaimed Carl Hayden Handball Coach Chris Hogan.

JR WPH was proud to sponsor the prizes for the 2026 Kickback Classic, providing WPH DigiFlex shirts and gloves for the junior players. JR WPH is proud to have sponsored Carl Hayden Handball since 2019 and to support Coach Hogan’s vision to grow handball at Carl Hayden High School and throughout Phoenix.

Pictures courtesy of Chris Hogan

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.

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David Fink

WPH Development Director

JR WPH Clinic at the George Lee

Posted on February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 by DV

Dallas, Texas, Junior-World Players of Handball-Press, 1/25/26

The WPH were delighted to help sponsor the 79^th George Lee Invitational, which is not only a historic tournament dating back to 1947, but also a key tournament in Texas and the region for Collegiate Handball players in their preparation for the Collegiate Nationals. The 2026 George Lee attracted 40 students from Texas A&M, the University of Texas, Angelo State University, Missouri State University and San Jose. Martin and Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Race 4 Eight Bear Bash tournament director and MSU Coach Christian Madsen enthusiastically coached a JR WPH instructional clinic for the collegiate players.

The clinic focused on power serves and variations of lob serves for both first and second serves. The objective was for the collegiate athletes to have practical feedback to work on for the next ten days as they prepare for the Collegiate Nationals at the U.S. National Handball Center in St. Louis in mid-February. The clinic ended with a Q&A session with Martin, Diarmuid and Christian, which included additional technical questions on the serves as well the mental aspect of the sport and developing the non-dominant hand.

“We had another great clinic today with great interaction,” stated Martin Mulkerrins. “Similar to last year with Leo Canales, the co-presenting approach this year with Diarmuid and Christian worked really well. There were also a lot of players who had attended previous clinics, and I thought that was great as the clinic had a lot of technical information and questions which built on the discussions and demonstrations at previous clinics at tournaments in Waco, Texas A&M and Dallas over the past year”.

Pictures courtesy of Eilish Owens.

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David Fink

WPH Development Director

JR WPH Clinic at the STL

Posted on February 1, 2026February 1, 2026 by DV

Saint Louis, Missouri, Junior-World Players of Handball Press, 02/01/2026-

JR WPH was thrilled to present a junior handball clinic for more than a dozen Missouri youngsters on Sunday morning at the 2026 St. Louis Race 4 Eight. WPH Master Instructor David Fink led the youngsters through a demanding dynamic warmup, followed by sidearm stroke instruction with the strong and off hands. Each player had a chance to hit practice shots, learning their new skills. The youngsters then incorporated their new techniques on the serve and back wall shots.

“The JR WPH clinic was certainly a highlight at the incredible first pro event at the U.S. National Handball Center,” stated the WPH’s Fink. “The kids have a lot of excellent coaches at the Center and throughout Missouri and we are excited to see the youngsters develop a passion for our lifetime sport.”

Following the clinic, the youngsters played a junior tournament, showcasing the U.S. National Handball Center’s next generation.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Development Director

JR WPH Clinic in Canada

Posted on January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 by DV

Calgary, AB CAN, Junior-World Players of Handball Press, 1/25/26

Canadian handball star Shane Vigen enthusiastically coached a JR WPH clinic at the 2026 Alberta Open 4-Wall Handball Championships.

Coach Vigen focused on technique and hitting percentages, explaining not only the proper way to hit the ball with both hands, but what shot to hit in various situations.

“I asked the players to hit the ball with awful form, then good form, then pointed out the obvious,” Coach Vigen would later say. “Then we hit the easiest shot – mid-court, chest high and I said, ‘that’s your never-miss shot.’ I tried to bring awareness to their hitting percentage in those situations. Same with warmup shots – 9/10 ceiling shots good hand, maybe 6/10 off hand. Lastly, I explained that handball is played with both hands, every shot. No dead hands. I expressed that I never wanted to see them hitting overhands with their other hand resting on their thighs.”

JR WPH was thrilled to inspire junior players in Canada. Thank you to Coach Shane and tournament director Guy Martin for an outstanding JR WPH clinic in Calgary.

Pictures courtesy of Myles Bestianich

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Development Director

JR WPH Hosts Carl Hayden

Posted on January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 1/24/26

JR WPH proudly hosted a junior handball clinic for Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School handball players at the Tucson Racquet Club on the final Saturday in January. WPH Master Instructor David Fink focused on the sidearm stroke, explaining and demonstrating how to build proper sidearm stroke mechanics with the right and left hand.

Following the demonstration, the students ran through progressions that started with throws and drop-hits and eventually playing live ball feeds to execute their new sidearm strokes.

After several rounds of drills, the juniors played King of the Court, a round robin singles tournament, and a game of doubles, followed by TRC burgers.

“We appreciate Coach Fink’s time to teach and model proper handball techniques, so our students can play better,” stated Coach Hogan. “I appreciate Coach Fink and the WPH keeping our program involved to improve the junior division.”

Thank you to Carl Hayden head coach Chris Hogan for continuing to inspire high school students every year to play handball.

Photos courtesy of Coach Chris Hogan.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Development Director

Danos Coaches UT Handball

Posted on December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 by DV

Austin, Texas, Junior-World Players of Handball Press, December Twelfth, 2025:

Junior-WPH (World Players of Handball Foundation) is proud to sponsor Race-4-Eight superstar Daniel (Danos) Cordova as the head coach for the University of Texas collegiate handball team at Gregory Gym in Austin, TX. Coach Danos leads weekly clinics for the UT players on the historic handball team made famous by hall of fame coach Pete Tyson and UT hall of fame players John Bike, Jr. and LeaAnn Martin.

The UT players are being taught the game by one of handball’s most winning players of the 21^st century, armed with the most dangerous hop and an all-around game that has seen Coach Danos capture Race 4 Eight and Icebreaker titles.

“I’ve been teaching the players a lot of mechanics,” stated Coach Danos. “I’m able to spend some time individually with each player and show each player the proper form and footwork. We’ve also covered warmup, back wall, fly kills, serve mechanics, fist to the ceiling, and disguising the serve.”

Thank you to Coach Danos for maintaining and growing the storied handball tradition at the University of Texas.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Development Director

October Classic at Carl Hayden

Posted on October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 by DV

Phoenix, Arizona, Junior-WPH Press, October 25th, 2025:

Junior-WPH was proud to provide prizes and equipment for the October 3-Wall Classic at Carl Hayden High School–featuring fifteen junior players and nine local open players on the last Saturday in October. The twenty-four players started in one division, with the players losing in the main draw dropping into the consolation.

The conclusion of the eight-hour, one-day event featured a mixed doubles event with a junior player pairing with a local open player.

“Saturday was a glorious day to play handball,” stated Coach Hogan. “Our courts were “blessed” by local Council Woman, Laura Pastor, District 4, and our Principal, Dr. Rubio. Mrs. Pastor spoke to all participates about the important relationship between Handball and life.”

Thank you to Carl Hayden Head Coach Chris Hogan for continuing to grow the game in Phoenix.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

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