Coaching

WPH RFC 8 Junior 4-Wall and 1-Wall tournament and clinics (July 2016)

Posted on July 12, 2016October 3, 2016 by DV

The WPH’s RFC proudly hosted a sensational 4-Wall clinic at the RFC 8, with WPH Coaches David Fink, Joe DelSardo and Ryan Bowler explaining various shots and cross-training techniques to the juniors in attendance. The clinic participants ranged in age from eight to 15, with one junior playing for the first time and another having won national championships. Each of the juniors demonstrated a willingness to improve and genuine excitement in being on the court. JR WPH also sponsored the WPH Sponsored Westide YMCA Junior Handball Program to attend the RFC, with four youngsters earning the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh to play in the 4-Wall and 1-Wall open and junior events at the RFC. The Westside YMCA juniors relished in the opportunity to experience a new city and compete against one another and top players from across the world in Pittsburgh.

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 fink@race4eight.com

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 at the JR Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships

Posted on July 12, 2016October 3, 2016 by DV

JR WPH held a junior handball clinic at the JR Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships for the fourth consecutive summer, with WPH Coaches Shorty Ruiz and Mando Ortiz coaching more than two-dozen young handballers from Southern California. Coach Ruiz and Coach Ortiz demonstrated shoulder-stretching techniques to prevent injury and introduced handball fundamentals, including the deep service fly kills and corner kills. Coach Ruiz and Coach Ortiz also emphasized the importance of sportsmanship, camaraderie and having fun on the court.

“The kids had an awesome time,” stated Coach Ruiz. “The kid’s highlight of the clinic was playing rallies against Mando.”

“It’s a great time to be a junior handball player in Southern California,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “JR WPH has hosted clinics at all our Southern California WPH Outdoor stops thus far in 2016 and the youngsters are always treated to great lessons from the game’s best players.”

Following the clinic, Coach Ruiz and Coach Ortiz teamed to win the JR Vasquez California State 3-Wall State Small Ball Doubles Championships, defeating cross over stars Juan Santos and Alfredo Morales in the semifinals and LAAC teammates Marcos Chavez and Vic Perez in a sensational two-game final featuring multiple lead changes in both games. What a day for WPH Coaches Shorty and Mando!

Junior WPH at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp

Posted on June 23, 2016October 3, 2016 by DV

For the fourth consecutive summer, JR WPH proudly leads the junior handball program at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp. WPH Certified Instructors coach weekly clinics at Tucson’s premiere summer camp, emphasizing physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, teamwork and fun through handball.

“The JR WPH handball program at the TRC Summer Camp improves every summer,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “Many of the kids in the TRC Summer Camp have been playing handball since our first TRC Summer Camp clinics in 2013 and they really enjoy it. This summer, we really focused on maximizing the fun on the handball court and the smiles on virtually all of the camper’s faces while playing handball have demonstrated that we succeeded.”

JR WPH reaches more than 250 young people between the ages of 7-16 each summer, with handball becoming part of the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp curriculum.

JR WPH Olympic Club Handball Camp with Master WPH Instructor Emmett Peixoto

Posted on June 20, 2016 by DV

Junior WPH is extremely proud to partner with WPH Master Instructor, Race 4 Eight superstar, and the 2015 Olympic Club “Olympian of the Year” Emmett Peixoto for the 2016 Olympic Club Junior Handball Camp. The junior handball players will learn from one of the world’s best handball coaches and players from August 8^th-11^that the famed Olympic Club in downtown San Francisco, located at 524 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.

“Junior WPH is extremely excited to partner with Master WPH Instructor Peixoto in this exciting junior handball camp,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “Emmett is revered at the Olympic Club for his tremendous play and for his enthusiasm for giving back to the game. Coach Peixoto is a true handball ambassador at the Olympic Club and all of the participants at the camp will learn a lot about the game and have a great time doing it.”

The Olympic Club Junior Handball Camp will run from 1 pm-4 pm during the week of August 8^th. Coach Peixoto will focus on the fundamentals of each swing, strategies to improve the game of each participant, and drills to reinforce the lessons.

For information on how to register for the camp, please email Girlie Manuel at athletics@olyclub.com. Reserve your spot today! Printable Camp Info Sheet (PDF) HERE>

Junior WPH at the X-Fest II

Posted on June 14, 2016June 14, 2016 by DV

WPH Xrossover Challenge and JR WPH Cal State Championships

JR WPH hosted a tremendous junior handball clinic for more than a dozen youngsters competing in the X-Fest II JR WPH Cal State Championships. WPH Master Instructor David Fink was joined by WR48 and WPH Outdoor star Ciana Ni Churraoin for the sensational clinic, with the pair teaching the youngsters the right corner kill, the fly kill, and the out-the-door serve. The youngsters then had the chance to play points against Ni Churraoin, with a few winning rallies against the Irish superstar. The clinic concluded with several exciting target-hitting competitions for prizes. “This was the best clinic I’ve ever seen in all of my years in handball,” stated co-tournament director Albert “Alley Cat” Martinez. “The kids were having so much fun and I loved watching all of the different games and drills.”

The juniors also demonstrated incredible skills and sportsmanship throughout the JR WPH Cal State Championships singles and doubles brackets, with the 9-yeat-olds rallying from the back line and the older kids playing like “A” players. Although just winners and finalists were awarded trophies, all 56 youngsters who entered the event were winners, as each demonstrated inspiring passion for the game and a joy for playing handball.

JR WPH X-Fest II Singles Champions

9-and-under champion/finalist: Jose Avellano/Sean Yep

11-and-under champion/finalist: Oscar Calvillo/Jesse Barrientes

13-and-under champion/finalist: Daniel Barrinetos/Michael Bautista

15-and-under champion/finalist: Jesus Mendez/Mauricio Ortiz

17-and-under champion/finalist: Jesus Mendez/Marco Alatore

18-and-under champion/finalist: Octavio Romero/Daniel Vazquez

19-and-under champion/finalist: Oscar Siordia/Martin Nicajo

JR WPH X-Fest II Doubles Champions

Marco Alatorre/Oswaldo Calvillo

Special thank you to JR WPH, Tom Flores, Alexia Lozano, Albert “Alley Cat” Martinez, and David Fink. Thank you for your passion for growing the game!

View all the pictures from the Juniors event, here>

DF’s Top Moments from the 2016 JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout

Posted on June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 by DV

JR WPH proudly hosted its first junior handball event in New York City Memorial Day Weekend ’16, with more than 70 boy’s and girl’s participants between the ages of 14-19. The five divisions produced sensational matches and outstanding sportsmanship, with the juniors demonstrating inspiring passion and handball skills. Check out the top moments from JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout below.

More than 70 boy and girls competing between the ages of 14-19! The JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout was one of JR WPH’s largest stand-alone junior events. Wow!

The incredible sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst all of the junior participants: Most of the matches were self-refereed and in all of the matches in five divisions, there was not one argument with tremendous respect shown between each of the competitors

The 19-and-under boy’s final between Juan “Chullo” Martinez and Isaac Clovis: Chullo and Isaac demonstrated that not only were they the two most talented players in the event, but also very soon to be 1WallBall A players in New York City. The speed, power and shot making between the two in the final was spectacular and the stars were a pleasure to watch

The 19-and-under girl’s semifinal between Shantel Mena and Kaitlyn Colon: Two of the top ladies in the JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout staged the match of the event in the semifinals, with Colon taking a huge lead in the one game match and ultimately serving for the match at 20-17. Mantel held off four serves on match point and won a dramatic 22-shot rally to win the match, 21-20

Co-tournament directors Vernonica Figueroa, Danielle Daskalakis and Bryan Lucero, plus help from R48 star Stephen Cooney: The JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout was a tremendous success because of the efforts of Veronica, Danielle, Bryan and Stephen. The JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout ‘s Fab 4’s passion for the sport was contagious and made the event was of the most positive events in recent memory. Thank you!

WPH Staffers taking seven trains, buses and cabs to and from the airport to travel to the event : If you are going to host an event in New York City, you have to become a New Yorker. WPH staffers rode the New Jersey Air Tran, the Q train, the A train, the Brooklyn bus and cabs from and to the Newark airport to run the tremendous event. #wheninRome

Ray Lu winning the 15-and-under boy’s singles, playing in all three divisions and helping to make all of the draws: 15-year old Ray Lu demonstrated skills and poise beyond his 15 years in advancing to the quarterfinals of the 17-and-under and 19-and-under brackets and winning the 15-and-under. Young Ray also helped WPH staffers seed all of the brackets. Thank you Young Ray!

WPH Sponsored Westide YMCA’s Dan Pitre and Melanie Garate Shine in Brooklyn: The WPH proudly sponsors the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis junior handball program in Brooklyn, led by WPH Coach Danielle Daskalakis. Two of Coach D’s protégés demonstrated outstanding skills in Brooklyn, as Dan Pitre captured the boy’s 17-and-under and Melanie Garate captured the girl’s 19-and-under. “Melanie and Dan are very focused and you can see the improvements in their games because of it,” stated Coach D. “Melanie and Dan work on drills and really want to be great players.”

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

JR WPH Takes a Bite Out of the Big Apple

Posted on May 29, 2016May 30, 2016 by DV

The World Players of Handball was thrilled to travel to New York City to host the JR WPH NYC 1-WallBall Junior Shootout, featuring more than 70 junior participants between the ages of 13-19 at Brooklyn’s St. John’s Park.

One of the warmest days of the year in New York City challenged the fitness of New York’s top junior 1-Wall stars, with many of the youngsters competing in two divisions. The Memorial Day Weekend ’16 junior shootout featured boy’s 15-and-under singles and boy’s and girl’s 17-and-under, and 19-and-under singles brackets. 15-year-old Ray Lu showed his tremendous potential in advancing deep into the boy’s 17-and-under and 19-and-under brackets, while cruising to the 15-and-under title. Westside YMCA’s Dan Pitre dominated the deep 17-and-under field, while Juan “Chulo” Martinez, Jr. clinched the 19-and-under. Shkysi Cummings clinched the girl’s 17-and-under while impressive wins, while Westside YMCA standout Melanie Garate was outstanding in winning the girl’s 19-and-under.
WPH Coach Danielle Daskalakis and rising 1WallBall star and current “Queen of the Court” teamed to win the women’s doubles exhibition against Karen Mcconney and Quasia Figueroa.

Boy’s singles brackets
15-and-under champion/finalist: Ray Lu/Kevin Poon
17-and-under champion/finalist: Dan Pitre/Phillip Kang
19-and-under champion/finalist: Juan Martinez, Jr/Isaac Clovis
Girl’s singles brackets
17-and-under champion: Shkysi Cummings
19-and-under champion: Melanie Garate

Thank you to JR WPH NYC 1WallBall Junior Shootout tournament directors David Fink, Danielle Daskalakis, Veronica Figueroa, Bryan Lucero and Stephen Cooney.

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“Junior WPH was so excited to be hosting an inspiring junior event in the 1-Wall handball capital of the world,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “The sportsmanship and skill of all of the juniors was inspiring and we hope to be able to host more junior events in New York City in the future. Thank you to WPH Ambassador Veronica Figueroa, Bryan Lucero and WPH Race 4 Eight pros Stephen Cooney and Danielle Daskalakis for all of their volunteer efforts in organizing and running the event.”

Contact the WPH for questions about starting a junior clinic in your area; details about pro player clinics and more! info@wphlive.tv