Coaching
Junior WPH Adult Clinic Fundraiser
Junior WPH hosted a special adult clinic fundraiser at the Tucson Racquet Club to raise funds for upcoming junior handball initiatives and teach adult players the secrets of the pros.
WPH Master Instructor and Development Director David Fink coached the lesson for adult players seeking to improve their games while supporting the growth of the game. Coach Fink reinforced the fundamentals of the three most common handball strokes and introduced various drills to practice each of the strokes. The Junior WPH Tucson juniors practiced similar techniques on an adjacent court.
“I really got a lot out of the clinic,” revealed Tucson’s Bob Durazo after the one-hour clinic. “I now know what I need to improve and how to do it.”
Junior WPH will offer more adult clinics between now and the USHA 4-Wall Junior Nationals in Tucson at the end of December to raise money for junior handball and to teach veteran players the secrets of the pros.
Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook, log onto wphlive.tv or follow the WPH on Twitter @dfwph and @wphlive for all of the handball news from on and off the court! The World Players of Handball is a non-profit foundation aiming to grow the game of handball through innovation and inspiring the next generation of players through junior clinics with certified WPH coaches, junior tournaments and the Race 4 Eight tour.
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.
What a Day for Junior WPH
Junior WPH held an unprecedented day of handball clinics on Saturday, November 15th, 2014. Certified WPH Instructors coached junior handball clinics in Tucson, AZ, Modesto, CA, and Pensacola, FL, emphasizing the fundamentals and strategies that make handball so beneficial for young people.
WPH Rookies Coach Tanner Cleveland led his enthusiastic group of junior players through their weekly Saturday clinic on the heels of the group’s second junior handball tournament at the WPH R48 IV Tucson Stop #2 the weekend before. “These kids are really improving and loving the game,” revealed WPH Development Director David Fink from the balcony at the Tucson Racquet Club. “The kids are playing at least twice a week and they are showing tremendous aptitude for handball and the tremendous values that handball provides for young people.”
WPH Master Instructor Emmett Peixoto coached a junior handball for Carl Rice’s avid group of junior handball players between the ages of 12-16 in Modesto, CA. “The clinic was really fun,” revealed the Olympic Club handball pro and WPH R48 #3. “The kids were so eager to learn and we had a great time playing throughout the afternoon.”
WPH Certified Coach Luis Cordova led a group of 25 handball players in a Junior WPH clinic at the WPH Argonauts Handball Classic in Northwest Florida. “The clinic was unquestionably the highlight of the great event,” revealed Cordova. “Players of all levels participated, with each player coming prepared with questions on how to play better handball.”
The WPH is able to host weekly junior handball clinics and support tournaments across the country because of the generous donations of those in the sport and outside of the sport that believe in the tremendous benefits that handball provides to young people. 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. –Story by David Fink, WPH
Junior WPH Clinic in Florida
Junior WPH proudly hosted a Junior WPH handball clinic at the University of West Florida’s Argonauts Classic for the second consecutive year with players of all levels participating in the clinic coached by WPH Certified Instructor and top 14 R48 pro Luis Cordova.
“All of the clinic participants were extremely enthusiastic about improving their handball games, particularly the college handball players on the University of West Florida Handball team,” stated Cordova. “There were about 25 players in the clinic, ranging from open players to beginners. Each player explained a shot that he or she was struggling to execute, and I demonstrated techniques to improve each respective shot. The clinic ended with a question and answer session regarding the proper second serve, defensive strategy, and the back wall kill shot. The clinic was certainly the highlight of the incredible event on the UWF campus in Pensacola, FL.”
Luis Cordova won the open division at the WPH Argonauts Classic, defeating one of the Southeast’s top players, Sergio Arroyo, in the final.
The WPH would like to thank University of West Florida handball coach and team president Michael Morgan for his tireless efforts in promoting the WPH Argonauts Classic and in promoting the game of handball. Coach Morgan started the UWF handball program, personally introducing the game of handball to hundreds of college students and forming one of the most formidable collegiate handball programs in the country in just four years. Coach Morgan and his handball team travel to nearly a dozen tournaments per year and will be on hand at the WPH R48 IV Stop #3 in Houston, TX, January 23rd-25th.
The WPH is able to host weekly junior handball clinics and support tournaments across the country because of the generous donations of those in the sport and outside of the sport that believe in the tremendous benefits that handball provides to young people. 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. -Story by Mike Morgan and Dave Fink, WPH
What a Day in Tucson
Four of next week’s top six seeds were in action at the Tucson Racquet Club this morning, as world champion Paul Brady sparred against R48 top 8 pro David Fink and WPH R48 #1 Luis Moreno sparred against three-time Race champion Sean Lenning. Before the sparring sessions, Fink and Lenning picked up games with several of the FLF standouts. “I cannot believe how good these kids are getting,” revealed Fink. “These kids are improving every time I see them.”
Locals honed their games in advance of next week’s event, while also watching a Tucson R48 IV Stop #2 preview. “You can’t get this anywhere in the world,” barked WPH board member Jeff Healam.
The Junior WPH Warriors took the court immediately following the pro exhibitions, as Coach Tanner Cleveland led his charges through the Warrior’s second-to-last practice session before the Tucson R48 and Junior WPH Benefit, Powered by ESPN and EDTL Handball.
To enter next week’s Tucson R48 and Junior WPH Benefit, Powered by ESPN and EDTL Handball, go to http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=13037. It’s a No-Entry fee event! All players are asked to make a donation to Junior WPH and the growth of the game.
Handball and Golf with Naty Alvarado
The World Players of Handball will be holding an adult handball clinic at the Tucson R48 Stop on Saturday afternoon, November 8th with living legend Naty Alvarado Jr. Mr. Alvarado will be teaching the clinic, focusing how to improve your strokes, how to incorporate better strategy into your singles and doubles games, and how to have more fun on the court. Tournament participants that make a donation of $150 or more will be entered into the special clinic. The WPH will also be teaching a junior clinic that will be free to all junior handball players.
Mr. Alvarado will also play a round of golf with all WPH and Tucson R48 gold level sponsors. The round of golf will be played on Thursday, November 6th or Friday, November 7th at one of Tucson’s premiere courses. All gold level ($500+) sponsors will be eligible for the round of golf and the unforgettable experience of talking handball and sharing an afternoon with one of the game’s greatest ever players and gentleman. Gold level sponsors will be eligible for both the handball clinic and the round of golf.
All proceeds from the clinic and round of golf go towards Junior WPH and inspiring and introducing the next generation of handball players.
If you are interested in the adult handball clinic or a round of golf with “El Tigre,” please email David Fink at fink@race4eight.com or call (412) 716-6000 to make the arrangements. Register now!
FLF Salute To Kids Continues
“When Paul Brady visited Tucson last March he told me that he had never seen a more thriving junior handball community in the U.S.,” boasted WPH Executive Director David Vincent.
“Not only are the numbers of junior players inspirational in Tucson, but the level of junior play is outstanding,” revealed WPH Development Director David Fink. “I watched an eight-year old with perfect left and right handed swings this morning. In my lifetime around the game, I have never seen an eight-year old playing handball at that level.”
“Our players are developing so quickly,” barked WPH Coach Tanner Cleveland as he cheered on two of his charges from the upstairs balcony. “Each guy is even taking the ball off the back wall with their left!”
Luis Moreno will face Sean Lenning in the finals of the men’s pro at the FLF Salute to Kids in a rematch of the thrilling semifinal clash won by Lenning just a week ago at the Plummer Bash.
Thank you to Fred Lewis and the Fred Lewis Foundation, the World Players of Handball, Abe Montijo and his incredible group of young handball players, and Tanner Cleveland and his burgeoning group of young players.
Jr WPH Summer Campers Play Ball
Junior Handball Booming at the FLF Salute to Kids!
Congratulations to Coach Tanner Cleveland and the Junior WPH Warriors for participating in their first ever tournament tonight at the FLF Salute to Kids!
“I couldn’t have been more proud of how the kids played,” boasted Coach Cleveland. “Each of the kids played so hard and even played through some injuries and it was great to watch and coach them. One of our kids could barely hit the ball when we started three months ago and tonight he almost won his first round! Definitely a proud coach moment!”
The Junior WPH Warriors will be in action in the big ball portion of FLF Salute to Kids tomorrow morning, as will the amazing FLF program. Out of the nearly 70 entries in the Salute to Kids event, over 40 of them are under 18! Junior handball is booming in the desert!
Stay tuned for more junior handball updates throughout the weekend, as well as updates on the pro singles featuring Luis Moreno and Sean Lenning. Go to r2sports.com, for more!
Junior WPH Clinic with Ex-NFL Star
Junior WPH Clinic at the Plummer Helluva Family Bash!
The World Players of Handball and Jake Plummer were thrilled to present a sensational junior handball clinic at the Plummer Helluva Family Bash 6. Fresh off of his semifinals appearance at the Bash, #3 ranked WPH pro Naty Alvarado Jr. joined NFL legend and Plummer Bash host Jake Plummer in introducing the game to several enthusiastic youngsters in a spectacular junior handball clinic.
“Jake loves teaching kids and has a ton of energy and attention for them,” stated Alvarado. “The nervousness these kids have in the beginning of the clinic is quite pure, but once the kids start hitting the ball, that anxiousness dissipates and they really relish the challenge. I learned a lot from the kids, as I had to tell them how to hit and where to hit. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I look forward to coaching more Junior WPH clinics in the future.”
The WPH would like to thank Naty Alvarado, Jr. and Jake Plummer for lending their legendary statuses towards growing the game of handball. The WPH has hosted over 500 junior handball clinics this year for juniors of all skill levels and has a number of clinics planned between now and the end of the year. The mission of the WPH is to inspire as many young people as possible to play the great game of handball. Please consider joining our team as a volunteer coach and developing the next generation of handball players!
To make a tax-deductible donation and support the growth of the game, please donate on-line at www.thehandballstore.com, send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 4556 E Camp Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85712.100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development.