Atlanta JR WPH Clinic

Posted on October 9, 2018October 9, 2018 by DV

Atlanta, GA, WPH Press, 10/8/18- The Missouri State Handball team made the 14-hour drive from Springfield, Missouri, to Atlanta, Georgia, packing ten players into two cars to attend the Race4Eight 8’s first stop of the year at the R48 8 Ron Cook Peachtree Open. Within minutes of arriving at the event, the MOState handball team was treated to a Junior WPH instructional handball clinic, led by Race 4 Eight pros David Fink and Marcos Chavez. Fink and Chavez focused on the V Pass, the Power Serve, as well as handball conditioning exercises.

The 10 college students ranged from novice to open level players, with each thrilled to learn skills and drills to improve their handball games.

“We try to make it to every tournament we can because we love the tournaments and getting a chance to play,” stated MO State All American and team captain Sam Esser.

“The Race 4 Eight tour is an incredible platform to inspire young players and we’re thrilled to be able to provide opportunities for young players to share the court and be inspired by the best handball players in the world,” stated Fink.

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 (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718.

Jr WPH Hood River

Posted on September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 by DV

by N. Flores –

The Oregon Handball Assoc is proud to report the new pact between the WPH and Hood River Handball, forming a new Jr WPH team at Horizon Christian School in Hood River, OR. This new Jr WPH Hood River class has two dozen Jr players between 7^thand 12^th grade at the small private school, with half the class attending bi weekly morning lessons and the other half attending bi-weekly afternoon lessons. Science teacher and Stenberg family patriarch Oscar Stenberg leads the classes, assisted by fellow science teacher Jim Brown and local player Ron Harder, as well as other members of the Stenberg family and other members of the Hood River handball community.

The first set of classes were held on September 14^th at the Hood River Elks Lodge, with instructors Oscar Stenberg, Jim Brown, Ron Harder, and Helen Stenberg leading the classes, with Pat Harford and Jennifer Hinman assisting the afternoon class. Both the morning and afternoon classes had 11 players each in attendance and that number is expected to grow as the class continues.

The WPH Foundation was instrumental in establishing the program, providing dozens of gloves, goggles, and handballs for the new team. “Oscar contacted me wondering where he could obtain handball gear for his students” explained Oregon Handball Chairman Nick Flores. “I contacted the WPH immediately, and within a few days all the necessary handball gear was delivered directly to Oscar’s doorstep.” The WPH also provided their valuable curriculum to the Hood River coaches to help get the program started.

Students in the Junior WPH Hood River program are learning proper form and swing mechanics, and basic concepts and strategies of the game, as well as character traits that are essential for handball such as teamwork and integrity. Additionally, the program will have an ongoing goal of tournament participation for its students, and the students will be able to play in local tournaments at no cost thanks to the generosity of the Alten Handball Foundation. A concerted effort will be made to include Junior WPH Hood River students at the 2019 Oregon State Singles Championship to play against students from Sheldon High School in Eugene, as well as other local high schools.

If you would like to support the effort, get involved, or learn more about Junior WPH Hood River or the Hood River Handball Association, please contact the HRHA at hoodriverha@gmail.com.

www.juniorhandball.org

Stay in School Tournament

Posted on August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 by DV

Brooklyn, NY, WPH Press, 8/18– JR WPH was thrilled to be one of the sponsors of Castle Hill Handball’s 3^rd Annual Stay in School Handball Tournament, featuring more than 70 jr handball players between the ages of 5-17 at Castle Hill Ave. Handball Courts in Brooklyn, NY. Each participant of the Stay in School Handball Tournament received a free backpack with school supplies filled with school year essentials. In addition to receiving backpacks and school supplies for participating, the top three finishers in each age group won laptops, bicycles, tablets, and more.

When not competing in boy’s and girl’s singles brackets at the Stay in School extravaganza, the youngsters had the opportunity to learn from the best in the game. New York City 1-Wall stars Tywan Cook, Hector Velez, Allan Sanchez, and Carlin Rosa coached clinics for the youngsters throughout the day, emphasizing footwork and the fundamentals to making solid contact with the ball. The pros set up cones in various spots on the court, with the youngsters running through the cones and serving after reaching the final cone. The older junior players also had the opportunity to rally with and play points against the top players.

“Stay in school, that’s the main goal,” stated tournament director Richie Vera, speaking to New York City’s News 12. “We’re all thrilled to have hosted a great event that is going to set up the kids to be successful for the upcoming school year.”

“This event is all about getting the kids excited and giving the kids skills to reach their potential in the classroom,” stated handball ambassador and high school teacher Michael Dembin.

“The Stay in School event was amazing,” stated 2017 WPH Volunteer of the Year and JR WPH NYC 1-Wall Championships tournament director Veronica Figueroa. “There is nothing like watching children play handball, and for a grandmother like myself, watching your grandchildren play the game you love so much. Thank you to Richie Vera for donating the bikes and school supplies and for hosting another great Stay in School event.”

“Richie Vera and Castle Hill hosted another awesome event for the kids,” stated WPH/Castle Hill Florida Cup champion Hector Velez. “I played a couple of the kids in singles and had a great time. I had a lot of fun watching these kids who look up to the top players and it was really cool that so many of the top players came out to support the event. Carlin Rosa, Tywan Cook, Chris Miranda, and myself also played an exhibition doubles match to show the pro level of competition.”

“Richie Vera and the Castle Hill Handball Association are doing incredible things for young people in Brooklyn and JR WPH is so proud to support Richie, the Castle Hill Handball Association, and all of the young people playing handball,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Nothing could be better than inspiring the next generation of handball players in a positive and organized event, all while providing the youngsters back to school supplies to ensure that the kids are prepared to succeed in the upcoming school year. Thank you Richie, the Castle Hill Handball Association, and all of the volunteers that made the 2018 Stay in School event such a success!”

Photos courtesy of Michael Dembin, Veronica Figueora, Christina Marie Torres, and Nancy Western.

Jr WPH Coaches Summer Camp

Posted on August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/3/18– JR WPH proudly led the handball coaching at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp for the 6th consecutive summer, teaching weekly handball clinics for more than 700 teens and preteens between the ages of 7 & 16 throughout the 10-week summer camp. The youngsters learned the various handball strokes throughout the 10-week summer camp, as well as cross-training, conditioning, and hand-eye coordination exercises to improve their overall fitness.

“I’ve coached every sport there is throughout my 40-year career as a physical education teacher and coach and there is no sport that forces you to use both sides of your body and mind like handball,” stated TRC Summer Camp director Charlie “Coach” Anderson. “I love having the JR WPH Coaches as part of the camp because they are excellent at teaching the sport and organizing the lessons and playing handball is a great experience for the kids.”

“The kids really improved each week and it was a lot of fun to watch the kids rallying and playing handball games,” stated JR WPH TRC Summer Camp coach Spence Hatcher.”

“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve done this summer and for the past six summers at the TRC All Sports Summer Camp,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Our coaches work extremely hard to provide the best possible experience on the handball court for the TRC Summer Camp youngsters. I really enjoy watching the kids from as young as seven to 16 learning and developing their skills on the handball court, and most importantly, having fun on the handball court.”

USHA JR 3 Wall Nationals

Posted on July 31, 2018 by DV

Venice Beach, CA, WPH Press, 7/31/18- The 2018 USHA National Junior 3-Wall Championships in Venice Beach on the last weekend of July, featured 84 junior handball players from California, Arizona, Kansas, Colorado, and Mexico. The 8-19 year-old junior handball stars played in as many as six small ball and big ball singles and doubles brackets on Venice Beach’s sun-splashed courts.

“Great weekend in Venice Beach,” barked Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director and Head Coach Abraham Montijo. “We took 17 juniors to compete, and for 10 of 17, it was their first time competing in an out of state tournament. We brought seven national titles back to Tucson!”

“We hosted 84 junior players and their families at Venice Beach,” proudly stated tournament director and sponsor Marcus Hough. “My aim is to increase the attendance in the following years and thus infuse handball for years to come.” JRWPH made cash donations toward the tournament with hopes of assisting Marcus Hough with his vision.

Photos courtesy of the Fred Lewis Foundation Facebook page

To read the recap on the 2018 USHA National Junior 3-Wall Championships from the USHA, go HERE

To follow all of the results from the 2018 USHA National Junior 3-Wall Championships, go HERE

For more information on the USHA, go to ushandball.org

Hope in Handball in Harrisburg

Posted on July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 by DV

WPH Press, July 30, 2018- Now in its tenth year, the Hope in Handball youth initiative continues to inspire young people to develop life skills, discipline, camaraderie, friendships, and an active lifestyle through handball in Eastern PA. Led by David Botero, Hope in Handball has provided life skills for his Jr members and continues to inspire future groups.

Hope in Handball recently hosted a one-day 1-Wall tournament on the newly renovated Evergreen Street Court in Harrisburg to encourage new players to handball. “This tournament was an invitation for the community to come out, enjoy handball whether you’re playing it or watching it, have fun with the family, and showcase and demonstrate your skills on the court,” stated Hope in Handball founder David Botero, speaking to CBS 21 News. “We have a lot of talented players in the Harrisburg area.”

Story on Hope in Handball on CBS 21 News HERE

Hope in Handball also hosted a summer camp in July, in which Hope in Handball current team members and recent graduates served as coaches and mentors to youngsters playing handball for the first time. “There was a lot of interest amongst the new players to continue playing,” stated Botero. “Our coaches used the WPH Coaching Manual for drills and ideas. Eight kids want to continue coming to our weekly program, planting those seeds!”

In addition to hosting community-building tournaments and summer camps, Hope in Handball meets once a week for handball practice at the Harrisburg YMCA.

The WPH is proud to have hosted Hope in Handball at several tournaments in PA, as well as providing instruction, equipment, and coaching training to the sensational Harrisburg youth development program. “I have been fortunate to have known Dave Botero for nearly 10 years and I am always overwhelmed and inspired by his passion for handball and developing the next generation of community leaders,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Dave is truly one of the best ambassadors in handball and our sport is so fortunate that Dave is involved in such a major way. Thank you to Dave and all of the Hope in Handball mentors, players, and volunteers for making such a positive difference through handball in Harrisburg.”

Pictured: Hope in Handball 1-Wall tournament on the Evergreen Street Court, Hope in Handball weekly YMCA clinics, Hope in Handball founder Dave Botero picking up a game with WPH mega donor Rodney Fink. Photos courtesy of Hope in Handball and Dave Botero.

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