For the third consecutive year, Junior WPH heads the handball coaching at Khalsa School’s P.E. classes in Tucson, AZ for the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders. Each of the 60 middle school students are given the opportunity to learn and play 1-Wall handball throughout the semester on one of the country’s premiere 1-Wall court facilities at Khalsa School, one of Southwest Arizona’s most highly rated charter schools.

The middle school students are introduced to each handball lesson with a specific handball warm-up and taught the proper fundamentals of throwing and hitting the ball with both hands. By the end of each lesson, the students are often serving and rallying with one another.

“We are very fortunate to have the kids learning handball from one of the world’s best instructors,” stated Khalsa School P.E. Teacher Kevin Nichols. “The kids are really taking to it and it’s a great opportunity for them to learn new skills and have fun doing it.”

Tucson’s Fred Lewis Foundation and Junior WPH Juarez faced off for the second time in three months in November of 2015 in the exciting junior handball team competition “Battle of the Border.”  Fred Lewis Foundation’s Head Coach Abraham Montijo and Junior WPH Juarez Coach Richie “Drft” Fernandez proudly coach two of the most organized and successful junior handball programs in handball, and both Coach Montijo and Coach Fernandez were thrilled to watch their players pulling together as a team in the unique competition.

Just as FLF had done in the first Battle of the Border in August, Team FLF won five of the seven matches to clinch the cup. “We love hosting the Battle of the Border and providing opportunities for the Tucson and Juarez juniors to compete as a team,” revealed WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “The kids are really an inspiration to players of all ages and levels and we are thrilled to have their passion for the game, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the sport.”

Junior WPH was thrilled to sponsor the 50^th Anniversary Juarez Handball Tournament November 28^th-29th, 2015 in one of North America’s best adult and junior handball communities. 17 junior handball players competed in advanced and beginner small ball and big ball singles tournament divisions, with each junior playing multiple matches in both codes throughout the weekend. Junior WPH is proud to sponsor Team Junior WPH Juarez, providing equipment, clinics and opportunities to travel to tournaments across the United States and Mexico. The WPH excited to watch the growth of the Team Junior WPH Juarez program at each event.

For a full recap from the 50^th Anniversary Juarez Handball Tournament Presented by the WPH, click here

More than 50 junior handball players from Arizona, California, Ohio, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico participated in various small ball and big ball junior handball divisions, as well as learning from several of the game’s best pros in an exciting junior clinic and skills competitions. Emerging R48 top pro and Irish Senior handball sensation Killian Carroll teamed with WPH Master Instructor David Fink to teach an unforgettable junior instructional and target-hitting competition. “Having a top pro like Killian stepping into junior clinics is incredible for the kids,” revealed Fink. “The kids were treated to world-class instruction from one of the game’s future legends and learned techniques that will help them become better players.”

Between the Junior WPH clinic, juniors participated in multiple small ball and big ball age and skill level divisions, with many of the junior players playing in three divisions. “Our kids are having an amazing experience at the Tucson Memorial,” stated WPH Juarez Coach Drft Fernandez. “We are so thankful to the WPH for providing our juniors with the opportunity to travel, compete against other juniors, and learn from the best coaches and the game.”

Junior WPH Kicked off the 6^th 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

The World Players of Handball is thrilled to present a Junior WPH handball clinic at the famed Stratosphere 3-WallBall court complex on September 23^rd, 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 23^rd 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.

The Centerpoint Athletic Club hosted the 2015 Fresno Open Handball Tournament this past August 1^st and 2^nd.

Three players from the Marco’s Kids Handball Club (part of the Junior WPH Group) participated in the two day event, in which professional players like Emmett Peixoto, Sean Lenning, Armando Ortiz and Victor Perez competed and performed for many locals and out of town participants.

Ricardo Palma: left his mark on the A singles by making the finals; then, with partner, Andrew Garcia, forged his way to the A doubles Semis before losing in a thrilling match. **A personal best:  Palma was able to defeat rival L. Aguilar, to whom he had lost to earlier in the year (Modesto, CA)

Andrew Garcia: came up short in the A singles, losing in the first round. “It was a great experience for him to see what a higher level player is capable of,” said WPH Mentor, Marco Coromac.  “It’s important for these players to also learn how to rise above these close losses.”

Pablo Borja: lost in the first round of the B doubles and won 4^th place in a round robin in the JRs division. “Playing hard and also having fun on the court,” adds Coromac, “Pablo made new acquaintances and got more experience at an indoor tournament.”  Coromac, the brain-trust behind Marco’s Kids, continues to coach, teach, and mentor junior players with a goal of making better people.  “Over all the three kids had a great time competing and also playing pick up games with locals. Even the pros!

“We thank the WPH for helping Marco’s Kids to attend this and many other previous events,” uttered Coromac.

For more information on upcoming WPH junior initiatives, or to contact Marco Coromac about his Junior WPH/Marco’s Kids Efforts or how you can become a part of helping the World Players of Handball grow the game, please visit wphlive.tv, juniorhandball.org or contact David Fink at Fink@juniorhandball.org.