July 23rd, 2014, WPH Tucson, AZ, Press-  The World Player’s of Handball, in conjunction with Junior WPH, was pleased to host the first ever Junior WPH Women’s Shootout Benefit to raise funds for junior handball development.

Women’s Race 4 Eight #1 Catriona Casey, Women’s Race 4 Eight #3 Tracy Davis and Women’s Race 4 Eight #5 Aoife McCarthy played one another in three one game matches in front of the appreciative handball galleries at the Tucson Racquet Club.

“In the last six months, Junior WPH has hosted shootouts with Luis Moreno, Sean Lenning, David Fink, Paul Brady, Emmett Peixoto and Abraham Montijo,” barked WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “We were ecstatic to host the third installment of the series with three of the best female players in the world battling on the center stage.”

The Matches:

The Shootout’s first match pitted summer roommates, good friends and frequent doubles partners Catriona Casey and Aoife McCarthy against one another. Casey took control early and never allowed A-Mac into her comfort zone, securing the first victory of the evening.

The Shootout’s second match produced a rematch of the 2013 USHA 4-Wall National quarterfinal clash between Tracy Davis and Aoife McCarthy, won by Davis. Davis played impressively, driving the ball hard and low with accuracy, while A-Mac was unable to keep the ball away from Davis’ lethal right hand. Local favorite Tracy Davis appeared to be at ease with virtually all of her shots and never allowed A-Mac into the match. Davis earned the victory and would face Catriona Casey in the evening’s final match to crown the first ever Junior WPH Women’s Shootout Champion.

The final match of the evening featured a rematch of the WPH Women’s Race 4 Eight NYAC Final between Catriona Casey and Tracy Davis. The pair also faced one another at the 2014 USHA 4-Wall Nationals in Minneapolis, with Casey winning both encounters. Casey blunted Davis’s offensive attack with freakish anticipation, perfect placement and sneaky power. “She is just flawless,” revealed a fan in reference to Casey. “She just makes no mistakes,” declared another. While the rallies were competitive and entertaining, it was Casey winning the vast majority of them. Casey added “Junior WPH Shootout Champion” to her incredible 2014 campaign with a comprehensive and impressive victory over Tracy Davis.

Junior WPH has undertaken its most ambitious junior handball initiative to date—Funding Irish sensation’s Catriona Casey and Aoife McCarthy’s Tucson Summer visit to coach 50 junior handball clinics per week at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp, as well as coaching clinics in California and Las Vegas. The two young ladies were able to introduce the game of handball to over 400 new players throughout the summer.

The WPH would like to thank Junior WPH Shootout Benefit donors Doug Clark, Gurumeet Khalsa, and Charlie Wicker for supporting the WPH mission and helping to offset the cost of hosting Catriona Casey and Aoife McCarthy for the summer. Thank you also to WPH Certified Rookies Coach Tanner Cleveland for emceeing and refereeing all of the matches!

Please consider donating to support the growth of junior handball and to help offset the costs of housing, food and living expenses for the Irish coaches during their incomparable summer of junior handball coaching. The World Players of Handball is a 501 (c)3 foundation. All donations are 100% tax-deductible and 100% of the donation goes towards junior handball development. To make a donation, please contact WPH Donor Development Director David Fink at fink@race4eight.com.

Junior WPH Women’s Shootout in Tucson!

WPH Women’s Race 4 Eight #1 Catriona Casey, #3 Tracy Davis and #5 Aoife McCarthy will engage in the first ever Junior WPH Women’s Round Robin Shootout on Tuesday, July 22^nd at 6 pm at the Tucson Racquet Club. The ladies will play in a round robin, with each superstar playing one another in one game matches to 21.

“In the last six months, Junior WPH has hosted shootouts with Luis Moreno, Sean Lenning, David Fink, Paul Brady, Emmett Peixoto and Abraham Montijo,” barked WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “We are thrilled to host the third installment of the series with three of the best female players in the world battling on the center stage.”

Junior WPH has undertaken its most ambitious junior handball initiative to date—Funding Irish sensation’s Catriona Casey and Aoife McCarthy’s Tucson Summer visit to coach 50 junior handball clinics per week at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Camp, as well as coaching clinics in California and Las Vegas.

The objective of the Junior WPH Pro Women’s Shootout is to watch some incredible handball, while raising money to help the WPH offset the costs of providing lodging, food and expenses for out Irish coaches. Please consider supporting the WPH mission to inspire new players to play this game we all love.  The WPH is a tax-exempt 501c3 Non Profit and all donations for this project will be tax deductible.  You can donate by contacting us at wph@race4eight.com, or by calling us locally:  520-392-8058 (Dave Fink).

Catriona, Aoife and Tracy are tremendous assets to the game and to the WPH and the perfect representation of our game for all ages and levels of play.

Stay tuned for updates from this incredible night of women’s handball and WPH fundraising!

Junior WPH at the Jr. Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships!

Junior WPH proudly hosted a junior handball clinic at the Jr. Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships. WPH Player’s Cup elite pros and WPH Coaches Sal Duenas and Samzon Hernandez instructed the junior clinic at the famed Jr. Vasquez event for the second consecutive year.

“The WPH was extremely excited to be a part of the Jr. Vasquez tournament for the second consecutive year,” boasted WPH Development Director and Junior WPH National Junior Director David Fink. “For young handball players to have an opportunity to share the court with larger-than-life pros Samzon Hernandez and Sal Duenas is a tremendous thrill and will certainly motivate the youngsters to continue playing and loving the game.”

The Junior WPH Jr. Vasquez clinic started with stretching, jumping jacks and sprints. WPH coaches Sal Duenas and Samzon Hernandez then introduced the Z Serve. After each of the nearly 30 youngsters had an opportunity to hit the 2-Wall serve, Duenas and Hernandez organized a lowest kill competition with the winner to receive an official EDTL Handball cap and pair of gloves, signed by WPH Coaches and Team EDTL pros Samzon Hernandez and Sal Duenas. After three nine-year olds hit four-inch high kills, a 14-year old hit a completely flat rollout to scoop the EDTL Handball prizes. Coaches Duenas and Hernandez ended the clinic by discussing proper nutrition and the importance of hydration and sportsmanship.

“Junior WPH growth and development is second to none,” barked Duenas. “I was honored to help the juniors improve their games. The youngsters were extremely enthusiastic and being able to help them with their games was tremendously rewarding. I love handball and being able to give back to the sport that has meant so much to me.”

To stay up to date with all Junior WPH clinics and handball news from on and off the court, follow World Players of Handball on Facebook or go to wphlive.tv.

Junior WPH has enjoyed its most ambitious summer ever and likely the most ambitious junior handball campaign of all time with over 500 junior handball clinics planned in California, Arizona, Canada and Pennsylvania with several of the best handball coaches in the world, including Sal Duenas, Samzon Hernandez, Ricky Ruiz, Catriona Casey, David Fink and Aoife McCarthy.

Consider making a tax-deductible donation to the World Players of Handball 501 (c)3 foundation today to support the WPH in promoting sportsmanship, character development and developing a physically active lifestyle through handball. Please contact David Fink at fink@race4eight.com or donate at thehandballstore.com if you are interested in making a contribution.

Junior WPH will host a junior handball clinic at the Jr. Vasquez California State 3-Wall Doubles Championships this Sunday, July 13^th at 9 am. WPH Player’s Cup pros and WPH Coaches Sal Duenas and Samzon Hernandez will instruct the junior clinic at the famed Jr. Vasquez event for the second consecutive year.

“The WPH is thrilled to be a part of the Jr. Vasquez tournament for the second consecutive year,” boasted WPH Development Director and Junior WPH National Junior Director David Fink. “We received several inquiries from juniors that were extremely interested to learn from the pros and we could not be more excited to provide that opportunity.”

“Junior WPH growth and development is second to none,” barked Duenas. “I am honored to help the juniors improve their games. I have some shots planned out that the kids are going to love to learn at the Jr. Vasquez clinic.”

Stay tuned for a recap of the Junior WPH Jr. Vasquez junior clinic by following Junior WPH on facebook or on wphlive.tv. Junior WPH has enjoyed its most ambitious summer ever and likely the most ambitious junior handball campaign of all time with over 500 junior handball clinics in California, Arizona, Canada and Pennsylvania with several of the best handball coaches in the world, including Sal Duenas, Samzon Hernandez, Ricky Ruiz, Catriona Casey, David Fink and Aoife McCarthy.

Consider making a tax-deductible donation to the World Players of Handball 501 (c)3 foundation today to support the WPH in promoting sportsmanship, character development and developing a physically active lifestyle through handball. Please contact David Fink at fink@race4eight.com or donate at thehandballstore.com if you are interested in making a contribution.

Junior WPH Summer Handball Camp in Calgary, Instructed by John Bike

Hall of Famer and WPH Certified Coach John Bike coached the four-day Junior WPH Calgary Summer Handball Camp, bringing his infinite handball knowledge acquired through his lifetime in the game to inspire an enthusiastic group of Canadian youngsters. Coach Bike led the eager to learn youngsters in 4-Wall and 3-Wall clinics guided by the WPH Coaching Manual.

“There is likely no one more suited to coach a junior handball camp than John Bike,” declared WPH Donor Development Director David Fink. “John is a former #1 ranked pro and world champion that has coached hundreds of handball clinics to thousands of grateful students. John is also a very highly regarded elementary school teacher in California and is incredible in working with youngsters.”

“As president of the AHA, we were delighted to have John attend,” stated Alberta Handball Association President and ardent handball supporter Rob Rakochey. “His resume is well known as a player and is impressive. But his personal accomplishments are no match for his ability to connect with the kids and help them advance their skills and understanding of the game. We had a wide variety of skill levels and he had benefits for all. I feel his attendance this year has enriched our program and the development of every player who attended. We host this camp for our Alberta youth as well as for all junior programs in Canada. With a top quality instructor like John, and a fun week of social events (BBQ’s, paintball, backyard movie night, Stampede) we hope to continue to make this the preeminent junior camp in Canada.”

Coach Bike emphasized the importance of the fundamentals throughout the nearly week long camp. “We worked on having fun through the fundamentals,” bellowed Coach Bike. “I loved seeing the kids improve but mostly having a good time and smiling throughout each coaching session.”

Campers were tremendously appreciative of Coach Bike’s expertise and advice. “Coach Bike is good at telling us things to do that work in tough situations,” revealed Carter Rakochey of Calgary, Alberta. “Very nice coach,” stated Rahul Nair of St. John’s, Newfoundland. “His tips will pay off in the future.”

To obtain your copy of the WPH Coaching Manual that provides step-by-step lesson plans to work with junior handball groups of all sizes and level, please contact David Fink at fink@race4eight.com.

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 donations go towards junior handball development.

WPH Player’s Cup pros Samzon Hernandez, Ricky Ruiz, Timbo Gonzalez, Sal Duenas and Mando Ortiz, as well as Race 4 Eight pros David Fink, Aoife McCarthy and Catriona Casey served as coaches for an enthusiastic group of nearly 30 junior handball players during the Junior WPH clinic at the 2nd WPH-Outdoor Big Ball 3 Wall Nationwide Challenge, by JR WPH & EDTL Handball in La Mirada, CA.

The juniors received instruction from the elite pros on the two-wall serve, the kill shot and the return of serve and were then able to play doubles points with and against the game’s best players. The juniors soaked in all of the lessons and were eager to try the shots in their upcoming tournament matches. “I learned the side-front kill and to take the ball before it bounces on the return of serve,” boasted one of the juniors.

Junior WPH, WPH Outdoor and World Players of Handball provide daily junior clinics, coaching sessions and lessons at all organized tournaments, as part of their organized mission.

Hall of Famer and WPH Certified Coach John Bike is inspiring an enthusiastic group of junior handballers midway through the Junior WPH Calgary Summer Handball Camp in the Great White North. Coach Bike is stressing the fundamentals, while incorporating cross-training activities and other sports to improve footwork and conditioning.