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JR WPH Goes to Tempe
Tempe, AZ, WPH Press, 12/8/18- JR WPH traveled 100 miles west from the WPH headquarters in Tucson to Arizona State University in Tempe to host collegiate and high school handball clinics and a special Q&A session at ASU’s 2018 Homework & Handball event at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex.
JR WPH Clinics
JR WPH coached multiple clinics at Homework in Handball for the Arizona State University Handball Team and Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School Handball Team, with the players separated into groups of 4-5 by handball experience. The clinic lessons were tailored to each group’s level of play, with the players learning the “Dave Chapman Line Drill,” the power serve, the back wall return, the return of serve, and a number of drills to reinforce the proper stroke and shot selection.
“We really appreciated all of the lessons and we’re excited to start practicing all of the new drills and fundamentals while the ideas are fresh in our minds,” stated Carl Hayden High School Head Handball Coach Chris Hogan.
JR WPH Q&A
Following the clinics, all of the junior and collegiate players and coaches gathered for a special JR WPH Q&A hosted by WPH Master Instructor and R48 #5 David Fink. The youngsters were eager to understand all things handball, enthusiastically discussing cross-training for handball, hitting power serves with spin, the toughest players to play on the R48, and much more.
“I’ve never seen the kids so talkative,” stated ASU Head Handball Coach Dan Willeford. “They were really absorbing everything.”
“Coach Dan Willeford (ASU) and Coach Chris Hogen (Carl Hayden High School) are doing such a fantastic job introducing handball and developing passionate young handball players,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “I’ve never seen a more enthusiastic group of young players so interested in learning about the game. JR WPH is thrilled to be able to supplement the lessons that Coach Willeford and Coach Hogan are teaching on a daily basis. Phoenix junior handball is really booming!”
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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 (here) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718.
JR WPH at #TucsonMemorial
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 11/4/18-
JR WPH proudly hosted a JR WPH Clinic and junior singles brackets at the 2018 Tucson Memorial, providing opportunities for the youngsters to learn from the game’s best and to showcase their talents at one of the sport’s premiere events.
JR WPH Clinic
WR48 superstars Catriona Casey and Ciana Ni Churraoin led a special Q&A session for a number of enthusiastic youngsters on Super Saturday at the 2018 Tucson Memorial, detailing their growth in the sport, their passion for the game, how they prepare to play in pro events and much more. The WR48 superstars then fielded questions from the awestruck junior players.
“The juniors were really interested in the types of drills and practice we do to improve,” stated first year Sports Psychology graduate student at Mankato State and former WR48 finalist Ni Churraoin. “Catriona and I also discussed our tournament preparation and what makes handball so special.”
Thank you to Catriona and Ciana for inspiring the next generation of players and providing an opportunity for the youngsters to develop and understanding of what it takes to become a world-class athlete.
JR WPH Singles
The 2018 showcased junior handball, with several dozen junior
players from Tucson, Phoenix, El Paso, and Juarez demonstrating passion for the game and outstanding sportsmanship in the JR WPH singles.
Tucson’s Antonio Rivera won the Contender singles, defeating El Paso’s Osvaldo Marquez in the rising stars bracket.
2018 Tucson Pre Qualifier Sportsmanship Award Winner Luke Lambert won the Contender’s dropdown bracket, defeating Jaiden Chacon in a tiebreaker in the final.
Future R48 star Andres Cordova won the 17-and-under singles, defeating Phoenix’s Jesus Castillo in the final.
Phoenix’s Uziel Rodriguez clinched the 17-and-under dropdown, defeating Phoenix teammate Lorenzo Medrano in the final.
Sebastian Canales completed the 17/19-and-under Juarez junior singles sweep in the 19-and-under singles, defeating Phoenix’s Rodrigo Silva in the final.
Thank you to junior coaches Abraham Montijo (FLF), Drft Fernandez (JR WPH Juarez), Chris Hogan (PHX), and Dan Willeford (ASU) for bringing their teams to the 2018 Tucson Memorial.
“The juniors are the highlight of the event,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “While the pros inspire the juniors, it’s the juniors that inspire the pros and the rest of tournament players.”
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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 UWF “I Love Handball”
Pensacola, FL, WPH Press, 10/25/18- The University of West Florida proudly hosted the JR WPH UWF “I Love Handball” Fundraiser Classic at the HLS Facility on the campus of the University of Florida on the third weekend in October, featuring collegiate players from the University of West Florida and the University of Texas. JR WPH has proudly sponsored the UWH Argos Handball Team since 2013, one of the best collegiate handball programs in the country.
The University of Texas’ Jeremy Aguilar captured the four-man Men’s Open singles round robin, defeating Nicholas Wilson (FL), Mike Desgrottes (FL), and the 2017 JR WPH Collegiate Coach of the Year and UWF handball standout Michael Morgan.
Coach Morgan bounced back in the Open Doubles, teaming with Desgrottes to overcome Enrique Arancibi (TX) and Aguilar.
Avery Shepherd (TX) captured the Women’s Open singles, defeating Tiffany Duncan (FL), Annie Wallace (FL), and Bella Smith (TX).
“JR WPH is extremely proud to support the UWF Team and the exciting UWF events and clinics throughout each year,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Seeing the University of Texas travel to Pensacola to challenge their UWF friends and rivals is awesome!”
Thank you to UWF tournament directors Kayla Fulghum and JR WPH Collegiate Coach of the Year Michael Morgan. Photos courtesy of Michael Morgan.
Follow the brackets and results from the JR WPH UWF “I Love Handball” Fundraiser Classic HERE
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
JR WPH at U of A Campus
JR WPH Clinics at the U of A Fall Break Camp
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 10/10/18- JR WPH coaches were thrilled to coach junior handball clinics for youngsters between the ages of 7-12 at the University of Arizona Fall Break Camp at the campus Rec Center.
JR WPH Coaches tailored the lessons to each group, focusing on hand-eye coordination, agility, and balance exercises for the younger students and drill-based handball exercises and games for the older students.
“We loved that the kids had the opportunity to learn handball,” stated Rec Center director Allison Brown.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to teach the campers about handball!” explained Fall Camp director Alexandra Graham. “It was really cool to hear them tell their parents about what they learned that day!”
“JR WPH is proud to have held handball clinics at the U of A Rec Center each semester for the past five years,” stated WPH Master Instructor David Fink.
“JR WPH is always excited to share our passion for handball and the lifetime benefits our great game provides to players of all ages and abilities.”
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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.
Atlanta JR WPH Clinic
Atlanta, GA, WPH Press, 10/8/18- The Missouri State Handball team made the 14-hour drive from Springfield, Missouri, to Atlanta, Georgia, packing ten players into two cars to attend the Race4Eight 8’s first stop of the year at the R48 8 Ron Cook Peachtree Open. Within minutes of arriving at the event, the MOState handball team was treated to a Junior WPH instructional handball clinic, led by Race 4 Eight pros David Fink and Marcos Chavez. Fink and Chavez focused on the V Pass, the Power Serve, as well as handball conditioning exercises.
The 10 college students ranged from novice to open level players, with each thrilled to learn skills and drills to improve their handball games.
“We try to make it to every tournament we can because we love the tournaments and getting a chance to play,” stated MO State All American and team captain Sam Esser.
“The Race 4 Eight tour is an incredible platform to inspire young players and we’re thrilled to be able to provide opportunities for young players to share the court and be inspired by the best handball players in the world,” stated Fink.
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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 Instructional
WPH Press, Tucson AZ – Take your handball game to the next level with the five – part JR WPH Instructional Series aimed at teaching the proper techniques and fundamentals to executing the game’s most important shots. The five-part JR WPH Instructional Series will guide you in self-play drills to quickly take your game to the next level, focusing on tactics and drills to develop a devastating Power Serve, a rally-ending Back Wall Kill, and a first-strike Fly Kill. Also included in the five-part JR WPH Instructional Series is the JR WPH Warm-up to prevent injuries and to enable you to be ready to play your best handball from the first ball to the last.
If you are interested in a private handball lesson with a Certified WPH Instructor or a WPH Race 4 Eight pro, contact the WPH HERE
Want to learn some of this Handball Terminology from the pros?
Jr WPH Hood River
by N. Flores –
The Oregon Handball Assoc is proud to report the new pact between the WPH and Hood River Handball, forming a new Jr WPH team at Horizon Christian School in Hood River, OR. 
This new Jr WPH Hood River class has two dozen Jr players between 7th and 12th grade at the small private school, with half the class attending bi weekly morning lessons and the other half attending bi-weekly afternoon lessons. Science teacher and Stenberg family patriarch Oscar Stenberg leads the classes, assisted by fellow science teacher Jim Brown and local player Ron Harder, as well as other members of the Stenberg family and other members of the Hood River handball community.
The first set of classes were held on September 14th at the Hood River Elks Lodge, with instructors Oscar Stenberg, Jim Brown, Ron Harder, and Helen Stenberg leading the classes, with Pat Harford and Jennifer Hinman assisting the afternoon class. Both the morning and afternoon classes had 11 players each in attendance and that number is expected to grow as the class continues.
The WPH Foundation was instrumental in establishing the program, providing dozens of gloves, goggles, and handballs for the new team. “Oscar contacted me wondering where he could obtain handball gear for his students” explained Oregon Handball Chairman Nick Flores. “I contacted the WPH immediately, and within a few days all the necessary handball gear was delivered directly to Oscar’s doorstep.” The WPH also provided their valuable curriculum to the Hood River coaches to help get the program started.
Students in the Junior WPH Hood River program are learning proper form and swing mechanics, and basic concepts and strategies of the game, as well as character traits that are essential for handball such as teamwork and integrity. Additionally, the program will have an ongoing goal of tournament participation for its students, and the students will be able to play in local tournaments at no cost thanks to the generosity of the Alten Handball Foundation. A concerted effort will be made to include Junior WPH Hood River students at the 2019 Oregon State Singles Championship to play against students from Sheldon High School in Eugene, as well as other local high schools.
If you would like to support the effort, get involved, or learn more about Junior WPH Hood River or the Hood River Handball Association, please contact the HRHA at hoodriverha@gmail.com.
www.juniorhandball.org
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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.
Juniors Shine in Tucson
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 9/18- The 2nd Tucson R48 Pre Qual + JR WPH Singles featured 45 handball players from Arizona, Texas, Montana, and Mexico, w/ ages ranging from eight year old beginners to 21-year old national champions. The JR WPH singles at the 2018 Tucson R48 Pre Qualifier demonstrated junior handball at its best, with the juniors showcasing a love for the sport, sensational handball skills, and infectious positive attitudes and sportsmanship.
A Singles
University of Arizona college student Buddy Key overcame fellow college student and friendly college rival Carlos Espinoza in the semifinals of the A bracket to face Women’s Race 4 Eight star Dr. Ashley Moler in the final.
Key was too strong in the final, using his power serve and a number of hard kills and passes to earn his first A title.
Final: Key def Moler 15-9, 15-5
B Singles
The B singles showcased the future of the sport, as the 18 junior players from Mexico, Tucson, and Phoenix had combined for more than 20 national titles. Each of the players in the 18-player field was under 19, giving this bracket a national championship vibe.
Andres Cordova, the younger brother of the R48 Elite 8’s “Flying Cordovas” entered the field at the last minute, but made the most of his 11th hour entry. Cordova ousted Tucson’s junior phenom Ayden Brule in the quarterfinals, followed by another impressive victory against Tucson’s Sophia Della Croce in the semifinals to advance to the final. Awaiting Cordova in the final was Cordova’s JR WPH Juarez teammate Eder Renteria, who overcame Tucson’s Miguel Sandoval and Phoenix’s David Frances to advance to the final.
In a matchup of what could be the top two players in the world in 10 years, Cordova’s left hand was too strong for Renteria, as the southpaw claimed the title.
Final: Cordova def Renteria 15-9, 15-9
Contender Singles
Rene Sosa and Antonio Rivera played the most exciting junior final of the event in the Contender Singles, as Sosa overcame a one-game deficit to clinch the title against Antonio Rivera.
Final: Sosa def Rivera 9-15, 15-8, 15-5
Novice Singles
Tucson’s Isabella Alvarez clinched the Novice round robin singles, defeating Luke Lambert and Alex Gonzales to win the title.
’18 Tucson R48 Pre Qualifier + JR WPH Singles + Doubles Sportsmanship Award Winner: Luke Lambert
8-year old Luke Lambert played in his first handball tournament at the ’18 Tucson R48 Pre Qualifier + JR WPH Singles and walked away with the most prestigious award of the event: the JR WPH Sportsmanship Award. Lambert competed in all of his matches with a huge smile, taught handball to the younger kids at the event, and exemplified all that is great about handball and competition throughout the day. Lambert only started playing handball just three weeks before the event and has not missed a day of practice since his first day hitting the ball. “Luke really picked up the handball bug and he’s loving the sport,” stated Luke’s coach Abraham Montijo.
“Luke was really proud of the Sportsmanship award and it certainly was a meaningful bonus to what Luke referred to as “one of the greatest days of his life!” stated Luke’s father Greg.
Thank you!
Thank you to Chris Hogan for bringing his group of high school players from Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Dan Willeford for bringing his Arizona State University Handball Team from Tempe, 2017 JR WPH Coach of the Year Drft Fernandez for bringing Team JR WPH Juarez from Mexico, Abraham Montijo and Fred Lewis for bringing the Fred Lewis Foundation Handball Team from Tucson, and all of the players and donors who made the ’18 Tucson R48 Pre Qualifier + JR WPH Singles such a wonderful event.
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 david.fink@wphlive.tv
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.