Archive
X-Fest Junior WPH 1 Wall @ Venice Beach, California
The WPH Outdoor X-Fest Xrossover Challenge 3 Wall Small & Big Ball in Venice Beach this past weekend (June 19-21) may have grabbed the headlines, but the 1 Wall Big Ball Junior Challenge stole the show with multiple clinics and plenty of action on the three backside 1 wall courts. Junior WPH, along with Albert Martinez, Timbo Gonzalez, Sal Duenas, Ciana Ni Churraoin, Catriona Casey and WPH Development Dir, Dave Fink, administered clinics and coordinated the junior brackets all weekend long. “The junior clinic and tournament were a HUGE success,” chirped David Fink. “With a number of the big ball pros coaching over 30 enthusiastic juniors players each day while in Venice.”
In the 15 U 1 Wall Big Ball Singles, Jesus Mendez, got past Danny Vasquez (both from Los Angeles); meanwhile, first round loser, Manuel Yep JR wins the 15 drop down. In 19U doubles, local talent, Jeffrey Burrios and Jason Ke (NY) teamed up to take the title in a bracket that featured 17 teams! James Ramirez & Eddie Rocha fought-through some tough competition before falling in the finals in that bracket.
The 11 & Under bracket with 19 juniors was exciting from the first round to the last. #1 Seed, Young Ben Torres, fell to Eddie Barrios in the quarters; while Xavier Flores took down Marco Vasquez in the bottom bracket. Flores and Barrios eventually got beat by Michael Bautista and Eddie Rocha, respectively, , which set up a thrilling extra-inning bash that landed Rocha with a trophy. Congrats to all competitors.
The 15-player 19U division had Rolo Ruiz and Jason Ke (NY) roll through the bracket with lopsided wins until a thrilling final that lasted well over one hour long. In the end, Ruiz took the East Coast Kid by two points to close out the event.
Each junior player received a Tournament Souvenir Bandanna, WPH Towel and free hospitality, plus multiple junior/pro clinics throughout the weekend. “We really had an amazing time,” claimed Alexia Lozano, mother of one participant and volunteer. “They [junior participants] all showed good sportsmanship, played by the rules, showed discipline, respect, and most important they had a lot of fun playing the game. Thanks to the entire WPH staff. You have devoted so much time and effort into making The Junior’s Clinics and tournaments the success it is today. You have taught my son Michael and all of the kids sportsmanship, fair play and many values that they will need throughout life. Thank you for your guidance and continue support.”
For more information on Junior WPH, please visit www.juniorhandball.org or contact Junior Director, David Fink: fink@race4eight.com.
Junior WPH at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp
Junior WPH kicked off its third summer of coaching handball at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp with five handball lessons per day for over 200 enthusiastic youngsters between the ages of 7-15. Summer campers spend up to three hours per week on the handball court developing ball skills, off-hand competency and the ability to rally with one another.
“Many of the youngsters are playing for the third consecutive summer and their skills are evident,” stated WPH Master Instructor David Fink. “The more the kids play, the more they enjoy the game and the better their skills become. I’m amazed at how much better the kids are from one summer to the next.”
Junior WPH begins its busiest stretch thus far in 2015, with 25 handball clinics per week at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp, the Junior WPH Venice Mega Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge, weekly clinics at the Junior WPH “Naty Gonzalez” cd. Juarez, summer clinics at the University of West Florida sponsored by the WPH, summer clinics in Pittsburgh, PA and the Sherwood Junior WPH 1-Wall Handball Camp in Edmonton, Alberta.
For information on how you can become involved with Junior WPH, start a Junior WPH program in your handball community or to donate to Junior WPH, please contact WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink at fink@race4eight.com.
Junior WPH Clinic at the University of West Florida
Top 12 WPH R48 Pros Luis and Daniel Cordova hosted a sensational Junior WPH Clinic for the University of West Florida’s WPH sponsored team at the end of UWF’s 2015 spring semester. The Cordovas explained and demonstrated the importance of footwork and shot selection, fielded questions from the enthusiastic UWF players, played points against each member of the team, provided critiques of each their games and staged a thrilling exhibition match for the awestruck collegiate players.
“The clinic was a huge success, as UWF team members and several new players participated,” revealed UWF Handball Club Founder and handball ambassador Michael Morgan. “Daniel and Luis provided useful tips that players were working on throughout the clinic and the next day at practice. After a thrilling exhibition match which saw Luis come back from a 9-10 tiebreaker deficit to defeat WPH R48 Rookie of the Year Daniel Cordova, Luis and Daniel played doubles with several members of the team. From everyone with the University of West Florida Handball Team, thank you to Luis and Daniel and the WPH for putting on a great event.”
Junior WPH has hosted over 1500 junior and collegiate handball clinics in the past 24 months, as well as sponsoring handball programs in Florida, Mexico and Arizona. If you are interested in becoming a WPH Coach and starting a program in your community or you would like to donate to the growth of the game, please contact WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink at fink@race4eight.com
Junior WPH “Naty Gonzalez” CD. Juarez, Mexico
The World Players of Handball and the thriving handball community of Juarez, Mexico were thrilled to debut the Junior WPH “Naty Gonzalez” cd. Juarez junior handball program at Juarez’s San Angel Athletic Club.
Junior WPH “Naty Gonzalez” cd. Juarez Head Coach Drft Fernandez led the first of the bi-weekly clinics in the handball hotbed, featuring 20 youngsters between the ages of 4-18 on the first night of practice. What a turnout!
“We played mini handball and taught the kids how to throw with both hands,” revealed Coach Fernandez. “We had to use two additional courts because we had so many kids and all of the kids wanted to continue playing.”
WPH Race 4 Eight IV Rookie of the Year and USHA Men’s Collegiate National Champion Daniel Cordova assisted Fernandez in coaching the session on the courts in which he played as a junior on his ascent to the top of the sport. “Along with mini-handball and throwing, we also introduced the sidearm stroke. The kids were really having a great time,” stated Cordova.
Junior WPH has held over 2,000 clinics over the past 27 months and is now focusing on developing thriving junior handball programs led by enthusiastic handball mentors to inspire the next generation of handball players.
Do you have what it takes to start and build a junior handball program in your community? The WPH wants to help you! Click Here for more information.
Wanting a Junior Handball Program in Your Area?
The World Players of Handball is looking for enthusiastic and passionate handball players and contributors to serve as coaches and mentors for the next generation of handball players across the United States. Do you have what it takes to build a junior handball program in your community? If so, we can help. Contact us now!
Who We Are:
The World Players of Handball is a 501(c)3 foundation aimed at introducing and inspiring young people to embrace a physically active and healthy lifestyle that emphasizes integrity, teamwork, independence, camaraderie and sportsmanship through handball. Through nationwide clinics, junior programs, tournaments and leagues, the World Players of Handball reaches thousands of first-time and existing players each year. The World Players of Handball proudly trains and certifies coaches to lead groups of all sizes, ages and levels
History of Junior WPH:
The World Players of Handball created Junior WPH in 2013 to provide opportunities for young people to be introduced and play handball under the direction and leadership of WPH Certified Coaches. Since the inception of Junior WPH, the World Players of Handball has hosted over 2,000 clinics for over 6,000 young people at R48 events, WPH Outdoor events, local and regional tournaments, local schools, athletic clubs and summer camps
Your Incentive:
Introducing and mentoring young people through handball ensures that the next generation of handball players will be able to experience and enjoy the game that we all love. WPH Certified Coaches will have the opportunity to organize tournaments, travel to tournaments, and be a part of the fastest growing junior handball initiative in the history of the sport
Contact:
For more information on how to become a Junior WPH coach and mentor, please contact WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink at fink@race4eight.com
World Players of Handball Foundation
3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125
Tucson, AZ 85718
Junior WPH 1 Wall Nationwide Challenge w/Timbo Gonzalez
Junior WPH 1 Wall Nationwide Challenge w/Timbo Gonzalez is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday morning, June 20th-21st @ the Venice Beach, California Rec Center, and you are invited! Gonzalez, multiple 1 Wall Big Ball National Champion, will conduct clinics and oversee the junior portion of the WPH 3 Wall Combined Crossover event on the adjacent courts. WPH will be conducting clinics on both three and one wall courts beginning Friday, June 19th.
Junior players can participate in this special 1 wall event, as divisions for 9U, 13U, 15U, & 19U have been created. Event registration is $5 per junior division and registration begins at 9am for 10am play (on Saturday). Juniors will be crowned as a Nationwide Champions w/Trophy. Read more, HERE>
To register for this event, Go HERE>
Email Junior WPH with questions: wph@race4eight.com
The 21st USHA Hall of Fame & Women’s Classic
The 21st USHA Hall of Fame & Women’s Classic featured women’s open singles with top women players from Arizona, Texas, California, New York and Canada, as well as men’s open singles, junior singles and various age and skill level singles and doubles divisions.
Top-seeded Jennifer Schmitt cruised to the final of the women’s open singles with victories over Arizona State’s Benette Valdillez and Canada’s Leslie Amminson, while California’s Ashley Moler defeated Texas’ Amy Gross and New York’s Shirley Chen to meet Schmitt in the final.
Schmitt and Moler played a close first game that featured several momentum shifts and a number of grueling rallies. Schmitt outlasted Moler in game one and coasted in game two. “There were a lot of really long rallies in a close first game,” revealed WPH Development Coordinator and Hall of Fame & Women’s Classic tournament director Matt Krueger. “Jennifer pulled away in game two to clinch the title.” Schmitt emerged, 21-18, 21-7.
Chen defeated Amminson for third place in two close games between two of the game’s promising women’s stars.
Sean Lenning defeated Daniel Perez to win the open singles and slammed the doubles with partner Carlos Espinoza, defeating Vern Roberts and Vinny Natale. 16-year old Michael Gaulton defeated Lupe Marquez in a tiebreaker to win the A singles, Alaska’s Charles Lindemuth won the Golden Masters singles and Tucson’s Art Benitez held off a strong field to win the Super Masters singles. In the age division doubles play, WPH board member Doug Clark and partner Vince San Angelo won the Legends Doubles and Frank Hernandez and Guillermo Pallares claimed the Masters Doubles.
Junior WPH was well represented in the junior and B divisions, with Junior WPH 13-and-under stars Carlos Villegas advancing to the finals to play Ayden Brule (tbd) and Westley Harden finishing fourth, losing to Tucson’s Ariel Chang in the third place playoff. WPH Team Member Matt Payne advanced to the finals of the B singles in his first tournament, falling to Arizona State’s Pahul Singh.
To follow all of the results from the event, go to http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=13837. For more information on the USHA and their upcoming initiatives and tournaments, go to ushandball.org.
The World Players of Handball Welcomes Canadian Junior Stars to Tucson!
The World Players of Handball welcomed Canadian junior standouts Michael Gaulton and Leslie Amminson to Tucson for an afternoon of sparring at the Tucson Racquet Club with WPH #5 pro David Fink. Arriving just after coaching handball at Khalsa Montessori School, the WPH jumped on the court with Gaulton and Amminson as they prepare for this weekend’s USHA Hall of Fame Tournament & Women’s Classic.
“These teenagers are immensely talented,” revealed Fink. “Both will be pros in the near future, as each possesses a tremendous passion for the game and incredibly well-developed skills.”
Amminson and Gaulton are part of the Newfoundland junior handball team on Canada’s east coast. “We’re in the U.S. for two weeks,” stated Newfoundland head handball coach Wayne Amminson. “We have 30-40 kids playing in Newfoundland. Michael and Leslie are very excited to be playing this weekend at the USHA Hall of Fame Tournament & Women’s Classic and next weekend at the WPH Aces Player’s Championship.
The WPH is able to host over 700 junior clinics and tournaments each year across North America because of the generosity of our sponsors and donors. Join the handball revolution today and help us in our mission to introduce and teach hundreds of new handball players each year.
To become a member of the WPH, click here: https://wphlive.tv/category/products/membership
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today and supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line at www.thehandballstore.com, send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718.