Coaching
2015 Junior WPH Accomplishments and Upcoming Clinics
Junior WPH is proud to have provided opportunities for thousands of youngsters to learn and play handball the right way through the first half of 2015. After hosting more than 1200 junior handball clinics and introducing the game to more than 4000 young people in 2013 and 2014, Junior WPH furthered our mission to grow the game in 2015 by sponsoring flourishing junior handball programs, starting new junior handball programs and providing youngsters with the best coaches and opportunities to develop the passion to play handball. Junior WPH focuses not only on proper handball fundamentals, but teaching sportsmanship, integrity, discipline, leadership and camaraderie through handball. Check out what Junior WPH has accomplished through the first half of 2015!
WPH No Frills Fundraiser and junior handball tournament (January 2015): Junior WPH hosted a Tucson junior handball fundraiser, with several of the game’s best players teaming with junior players in a special doubles division. Junior handball players also competed in junior singles and doubles divisions, while also having an opportunity to take clinics from a WPH Certified Coach. “The No Frills was a great way to kickoff 2015, as junior players had an opportunity to watch and play alongside their heroes,” stated WPH Youth and Donor Development Director David Fink.
- Junior WPH junior and collegiate clinic at the Houston Race 4 Eight (January 2015): WPH Women’s Race 4 Eight star Ashley Moler and WPH Race 4 Eight star Mando Ortiz coached a clinic for 15 college students at Houston’s annual Race 4 Eight stop. The students were able to develop a deeper understanding of the game’s fundamentals and strategies by learning from two of the best players in the sport. “Most of the students were young ladies and they really enjoyed incorporating some of the cross-training techniques that I suggested,” revealed Moler.
Junior WPH Weekly after school and weekend clinics (January 2015-April 2015): Junior WPH held after school and Saturday clinics each week between January and April of 2015, providing young people with an opportunity to experience teamwork, camaraderie and being physically active, while developing skills and learning how to compete with integrity and respect for their opponents. “The level of improvement has been tremendous throughout the course of the after school and weekend clinics,” revealed WPH Youth and Donor Development Director David Fink. “More importantly, however, is the amount of fun the kids are having in a structured environment that promotes positivity and goal-oriented initiatives.”
- Junior WPH junior clinic at the San Francisco R48: WPH Race 4 Eight star Jon Iglesias coached a group of a dozen junior handball players at San Francisco’s Race 4 Eight stop at the Olympic Club. The young participants were thrilled to improve their games under the keen eye of one of the game’s best. “I really enjoy working with the kids,” stated Iglesias. “When I was a young player learning the game it was always a huge highlight to have the opportunity to learn from top players and I am proud to provide that opportunity for the next generation of players.”
Junior WPH Welcomes Canadian Junior Stars to Tucson (April 2015): The World Players of Handball welcomed Canadian junior standouts Michael Gaulton and Leslie Amminson to Tucson for an afternoon of coaching and practicing 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 prepared for the 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.”
Junior WPH clinics at Khalsa School (Febraury 2015-May 2015): Junior WPH proudly returned to Khalsa Montessori School in Tucson to coach handball to the entire Khalsa School Middle School during weekly P.E. Classes. Students learned how to play 1-Wall handball on the spectacular 1-Wall courts on the campus of Khalsa School. “The kids really enjoyed learning different games and dexterity exercises that come with playing handball,” revealed WPH Master Instructor David Fink
- Junior WPH Clinic at the Southwest Regional Handball Tournament in Austin, TX (March 2015): Six colleges from Texas and Florida attended the Southwest Regional Handball Tournament in Austin, TX, and were treated to a clinic coached by former WPH #1 Allan “TBB” Garner, current top 25 WPH pro Adam Bernhard and special guest instructor, 2012 USHA Handball Hall of Fame inductee John Bike. “The clinic was really great,” stated Garner. “The participants were taught the warm-up, back wall drills and footwork exercises
Team WPH at the USHA Hall of Fame Tournament & Women’s Classic (April 2015): Junior WPH was well represented in the junior and B divisions at the USHA Hall of Fame Tournament & Women’s Classic, with Junior WPH 13-and-under stars Carlos Villegas advancing to the finals and Westley Harden finishing fourth. WPH Team Member Matt Payne advanced to the finals of the B singles in his first tournament, winning three rounds against seasoned players en route to the finals. “The Junior WPH players were extremely eager to play against players from other cities, and each of the players relished the opportunity to make new friends and compete in the tournament,” stated WPH Youth and Donor Development David Fink
Junior WPH Mega Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge at the WPH Outdoor Cross Over Revolution (June 2015): The World Players of Handball was thrilled to present the Venice Mega Junior Handball Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge in Venice Beach, CA June 19th-20th. More than 50 junior players between the ages of 8-19 enjoyed multiple handball clinics with several of the game’s greatest players on the Venice Beach 1-Wall handball courts, just 25 feet from the beach. The juniors applied what they learned in the Mega Clinics in the Junior 1-Wall Challenge. The youngsters competed with and against one another in singles and doubles competitions, with each youngster demonstrating tremendous passion for the game and handball skills. “All of the kids showed good sportsmanship, played by the rules, showed discipline, and most importantly, they had fun playing the game,” declared Junior 1-wall Challenge tournament co-director Alexia Lozano. “Thanks to the entire WPH staff who have devoted so much time and effort into making the junior’s clinics and tournaments the success they are today. You have taught my son Michael and all of the kids sportsmanship, fair play, and many values they will need throughout life. Thank you for your guidance and continued support.”
Junior WPH Program the University of West Florida (yearly): The World Players of Handball is thrilled to have partnered with UWF Handball club Founder Michael Morgan and the University of West Florida’s handball team in Pensacola, Fl. “Mike Morgan is one of handball’s greatest promoters and ambassadors and we proudly support his UWF handball team,” declared WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “Coach Morgan has probably introduced and retained more handball players in the past five years than anyone in the world. Great job Michael and we look forward to working with you and your program for many years to come.”
Junior WPH Natty Gonzalez cd. Juarez, Mexico (yearly): The World Players of Handball is proud to announce our partnership with the handball-crazed city of Juarez, MX. Juarez possesses one of the strongest handball communities in North America, producing WPH R48 top 12 pros Luis and Daniel Cordova, as well as a number of other high level players. The Juarez handball community and Coach Richie “Drft” Fernandez are determined to continue to grow the game in Juarez, hosting weekly junior handball clinics and providing opportunities for juniors to travel to tournaments. “Drft brings an incredible energy and enthusiasm for handball and the kids love him,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “In his first week of clinics, Drft recruited more than 20 kids between the ages of 6-16. The WPH looks forward to tremendous junior handball growth in Juarez and helping the Juarez handball community build and sustain one of the best junior handball programs in the world.”
- Junior WPH Marco’s Kids in Southern California (yearly): Coach Marco Coromac has built one of the largest and strongest junior handball programs in the country and the World Players of Handball is honored to assist Coach Marco in his efforts to teach important life lessons and values through handball in Southern California. “Coach Marco is an incredible influence on his junior handball players and precisely what we hope for in all of our coaches,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “The WPH has held a number of clinics with “Marcos’s Kids” and all of the youngsters are always respectful, appreciative and passionate about playing the game the right way. The WPH is thrilled to be able to provide junior handball equipment, opportunities to travel to tournaments and clinics to “Marco’s Kids.” Thank you Coach Marco.”
Junior WPH at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp (May-July 2015): Junior WPH Rookies Coach Tanner Cleveland coaches five junior handball clinics per day at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp throughout the 10-week summer camp. Coach Cleveland stresses the importance of warming-up, handball fundamentals, handball strategy and most importantly, having fun! “We have been so fortunate to have had the WPH leading our handball program at the TRC All Sports Summer Camp for the past three summers,” stated camp director Coach Anderson. “Tanner has been so positive and the kids really love him. Handball is so popular at the camp that each class fills up with volunteers immediately.”
- Junior WPH Clinic at the University of West Florida featuring top 12 WPH pros Luis and Daniel Cordova (June 2015): 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 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 9-10tiebreaker 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 Clinic at the Jr. Vasquez California State Doubles Championships (July 2015): WPH Outdoor superstar Samzon Hernandez led an exceptional Junior WPH clinic at the Jr. Vasquez California State Doubles Championships for the third consecutive year. More than 30 youngsters had the opportunity to participate in the Jr. Vasquez 3-Wall clinic, including Junior WPH’s Marco’s Kids. “Coach Samzon is already a living legend in 3-Wall handball in his mid-twenties and the kids are so excited to be able to learn from one of their heroes,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “Coach Samzon is patient, highly knowledgeable and extremely positive. Every junior handball player that has had an opportunity learn from him loves the experience and always sees a dramatic improvement in his respective handball game.”
- Junior WPH at the RFC 7 International (July 2015): The World Players of Handball sponsored its 7th Rodney Fink Classic, featuring 4-Wall and 1-Wall cross over play, as well as providing several juniors with an opportunity to watch and play with an against several of the world’s best players. The RFC also introduced several first-time players during the event, as youngsters watching the RFC matches jumped into the courts with WPH coaches
Junior WPH will continue its ambitious junior handball initiatives in the second half of 2015 with after school and weekend clinics across the country, the “Battle of the Border” junior team competition in Tucson between Junior WPH Juarez and the Fred Lewis Foundation, clinics and junior handball tournaments at WPH Outdoor events and much more. Stay tuned to wphlive.tv and juniorhandball.org for all of the exciting junior handball updates.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Junior WPH shines at the TRC All Sports Summer Camp
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 7/17/15- The World Players of Handball is proud to head the handball division at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp at the Tucson Racquet Club for the third consecutive summer. Junior WPH Coach Tanner Cleveland coaches five junior handball clinics per day at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp throughout the 10-week summer camp, stressing the importance of warming-up, handball fundamentals, handball strategy and most importantly, having fun! Coach Tanner has been coaching handball at the Tucson Racquet Club for three summers, while also leading after school and weekend programs at the TRC during the school year.
“We have been so fortunate to have had the WPH leading our handball program at the TRC All Sports Summer Camp for the past three summers,” stated camp director Coach Anderson. “Coach Tanner has been so positive and the kids really love him. Handball is so popular at the camp that each class fills up with volunteers immediately.”
More than 100 kids between the ages of 7-15 play handball each week at the Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp, making the camp one of the most popular places in the country for junior handball.
University of West Florida Handball Team Presented by the WPH: Growing it!
The University of West Florida’s Handball Team Presented by WPH continues to flourish under the direction of WPH Certified Instructor and UWF Handball Team Founder Michael Morgan (To see Coach Morgan’s WPH coaching bio, click Here).
June kicked off the 2015 UWF fall semester recruiting process, as nearly 200 incoming freshman were introduced to handball at the University of West Florida’s Rec Center, home to the WPH’s Argonauts Classic every fall. “Many of the new recruits were hesitant to play initially, but once we got them started they couldn’t stop,” boasted Coach Morgan. “The new players were so enthusiastic that the gym closed on several occasions and they had the lights turned out on us! The UWF Handball Team’s 2015 summer events have all been huge successes and we have a number of promising recruits eager to play in the fall.”
The University of West Florida Handball Team will continue recruiting in July, with the official UWF handball season kicking off in September. In years past, the UWF squad has hosted its Argonauts Classic early in the fall semester and traveled to various R48 stops throughout the season. We look forward to seeing Team UWF on the 2015-2016 Race 4 Eight V tour! The WPH is proud to help sponsor the UWF Handball Club and its upcoming initiatives.
Do you have what it takes to make a positive influence on young people through handball or are you already making a difference and would like for the WPH to help sponsor your existing program? If so, please contact WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink @ fink@juniorhandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Junior WPH at the Jr. Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, – 7/13/15- Junior WPH was proud to host a sensational junior handball clinic for the third consecutive year at the Jr. Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships in Los Angeles. More than 40 junior handball players from Southern California, including Junior WPH’s Marco’s Kids, participated in the clinic led by WPH Outdoor superstar Samzon Hernandez.
“In just his mid twenties, Coach Samzon is already a living legend in 3-Wall handball and the kids were so excited to be able to learn from one of their heroes,” stated WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “Coach Samzon is patient, highly knowledgeable and extremely positive. Every junior handball player that has had an opportunity learn from Coach Samzon loves the experience and always sees a dramatic improvement in his or her handball game.”
Thank you to Jr. Vasquez tournament director Tom Martinez Coach Samzon for an outstanding clinic at one of Southern California’s premiere Small Ball 3-Wall events. Thank you also to WPH Outdoor tournament manager and WPH reporter Tom Flores for the pictures.
Do you have what it takes to make a positive influence on young people through handball or are you already making a difference and would like for the WPH to help sponsor your existing program? If so, please contact WPH Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink at fink@juniorhandball.org
The Venice Mega Junior Handball Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge
The World Players of Handball was thrilled to present the Venice Mega Junior Handball Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge in Venice Beach, CA June 19th-20th. Over 50 junior players between the ages of 8-19 enjoyed multiple handball clinics with several of the game’s greatest players on the Venice Beach 1-Wall handball courts, just 25 feet from the beach. Ricky Ruiz, Timbo Gonzalez, Sal Duenas, Alfredo Morales, Catriona Casey, Cianna Ni Churraoin and David Fink led the group of youngsters through various drills and techniques aimed at helping the youngsters to improve and to have more fun on the court. “I always love to help out with the juniors,” stated Xrossover big ball finalist Alfredo Morales. “I just wish the WPH was around when I was a junior,” stated Marco Coromac, head coach of Marco’s Kids. “The clinic was awesome and the kids loved. Thank you WPH!”
The juniors applied what they learned in the Mega Clinic in the Junior 1-Wall Challenge. Rolo Ruiz dominated the 19-and-under singles, Jesus Mendez defeated Danny Vasquez in one of the best matches of the tournament to claim the 15-and-under singles and Eddie Rocha claimed the 11-and-under singles against Eddie Barrios in another great final. New York’s Jason Ke teamed with Jeffrey Barrios to claim the junior doubles. “All of the kids showed good sportsmanship, played by the rules, showed discipline, and most importantly, they had fun playing the game,” declared co-Junior 1-wall Challenge tournament director Alexia Lozano. “Thanks to the entire WPH staff who have devoted so much time and effort into making the junior’s clinics and tournaments the success they are today. You have taught my son Michael and all of the kids sportsmanship, fair play, and many values they will need throughout life. Thank you for your guidance and continued support.”
The Venice Mega Junior Handball Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge was made possible by over 25 donors from across the United States who share the World Players of Handball’s vision to grow the sport and inspire the next generation of players. Thank you to all of the generous donors and contributors who provided over 50 junior handball players with the opportunity to enjoy one of the best handball weekends of their lives!
To view over 100 pictures from the Venice Mega Junior Handball Clinic and Junior 1-Wall Challenge, click here> The pictures can also be viewed by liking World Players of Handball or Junior WPH on Facebook.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
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