Jr WPH Hood River

Posted on September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 by DV

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 7^thand 12^th 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 14^th 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

Posted on September 9, 2018September 9, 2018 by DV

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.

[Show slideshow]

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 11^th 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.

3rd JR WPH NYC 1-Wall Games

Posted on August 27, 2018August 27, 2018 by DV

Brooklyn, NY, WPH Press, 8/26/18 – JR WPH and the Lincoln Terrace Handball Association were thrilled to present the 3rd annual JR WPH NYC 1-Wall games at St. John’s Rec Center in Brooklyn, NY, featuring 75 jr handball players between the ages of 12-19.

The youngsters competed in eight singles brackets on a sun-splashed late-August day in Brooklyn, demonstrating not only outstanding handball skills, but also exemplary sportsmanship, self-respect, respect for one another, and a passion for handball.

“The goal of this event is to provide these youngsters with an opportunity to compete, while building friendships, camaraderie, and passion for handball,” stated JR WPH NYC 1-Wall Championship tournament director and 2017 WPH Volunteer of the Year Veronica Figueroa. “We hope these youngsters develop the discipline, integrity, and life skills through handball to become the next generation of community leaders. There is nothing that makes me happier as a tournament director, player, and mother and grandmother than to see these youngsters having a great time playing handball and demonstrating great sportsmanship, win or lose. For the third consecutive summer, we had a wonderful JR WPH NYC 1-Wall Championships and we look forward to many more in the future.”

Girl’s Champions and Finalists

19-and-under

Champion: Shkysi Cummings

Finalist: Aaliya Durant

17-and-under

Champion: Shnae Cummings

Finalist: Gabriella Sullvan

15-and-under

Champion: Jessica Lozada

Finalist: Jocelyn Rubero

13-and-under

Champion: Madison Borrero

Finalist: Veronica Watson Figueroa

Girl’s Sportsmanship Award Winner: Jenna Santiago

Boy’s Champions and Finalists

19-and-under

Champion: Marcio Moran

Finalist: Bruce Cruz

17-and-under

Champion: Chris Vidal

Finalist: Allan Luna

15-and-under

Champion: Fernando Hernandez

Finalist: Ismael Sinani

13-and-under

Champion: Brandon Martinez

Finalist: Jeniel Gonzalez

Boy’s Sportsmanship Award Winner: Jayden Zeigler

Thank you to 2017 WPH Volunteer of the Year Veronica Figueroa, the Lincoln Terrace Handball Association, and JR WPH for hosting and sponsoring the third annual JR WPH NYC 1-Wall Championships. The WPH is so fortunate to have handball leaders like “Ms. V” demonstrating the enthusiasm for growing the game to foster the next generation of handball players and community leaders.

Photos courtesy of Veronica Figueroa and the Lincoln Terrace Handball Association

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Stay in School Tournament

Posted on August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 by DV

Brooklyn, NY, WPH Press, 8/18– JR WPH was thrilled to be one of the sponsors of Castle Hill Handball’s 3^rd Annual Stay in School Handball Tournament, featuring more than 70 jr handball players between the ages of 5-17 at Castle Hill Ave. Handball Courts in Brooklyn, NY. Each participant of the Stay in School Handball Tournament received a free backpack with school supplies filled with school year essentials. In addition to receiving backpacks and school supplies for participating, the top three finishers in each age group won laptops, bicycles, tablets, and more.

When not competing in boy’s and girl’s singles brackets at the Stay in School extravaganza, the youngsters had the opportunity to learn from the best in the game. New York City 1-Wall stars Tywan Cook, Hector Velez, Allan Sanchez, and Carlin Rosa coached clinics for the youngsters throughout the day, emphasizing footwork and the fundamentals to making solid contact with the ball. The pros set up cones in various spots on the court, with the youngsters running through the cones and serving after reaching the final cone. The older junior players also had the opportunity to rally with and play points against the top players.

“Stay in school, that’s the main goal,” stated tournament director Richie Vera, speaking to New York City’s News 12. “We’re all thrilled to have hosted a great event that is going to set up the kids to be successful for the upcoming school year.”

“This event is all about getting the kids excited and giving the kids skills to reach their potential in the classroom,” stated handball ambassador and high school teacher Michael Dembin.

“The Stay in School event was amazing,” stated 2017 WPH Volunteer of the Year and JR WPH NYC 1-Wall Championships tournament director Veronica Figueroa. “There is nothing like watching children play handball, and for a grandmother like myself, watching your grandchildren play the game you love so much. Thank you to Richie Vera for donating the bikes and school supplies and for hosting another great Stay in School event.”

“Richie Vera and Castle Hill hosted another awesome event for the kids,” stated WPH/Castle Hill Florida Cup champion Hector Velez. “I played a couple of the kids in singles and had a great time. I had a lot of fun watching these kids who look up to the top players and it was really cool that so many of the top players came out to support the event. Carlin Rosa, Tywan Cook, Chris Miranda, and myself also played an exhibition doubles match to show the pro level of competition.”

“Richie Vera and the Castle Hill Handball Association are doing incredible things for young people in Brooklyn and JR WPH is so proud to support Richie, the Castle Hill Handball Association, and all of the young people playing handball,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Nothing could be better than inspiring the next generation of handball players in a positive and organized event, all while providing the youngsters back to school supplies to ensure that the kids are prepared to succeed in the upcoming school year. Thank you Richie, the Castle Hill Handball Association, and all of the volunteers that made the 2018 Stay in School event such a success!”

Photos courtesy of Michael Dembin, Veronica Figueora, Christina Marie Torres, and Nancy Western.

Jr WPH Coaches Summer Camp

Posted on August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/3/18– JR WPH proudly led the handball coaching at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp for the 6th consecutive summer, teaching weekly handball clinics for more than 700 teens and preteens between the ages of 7 & 16 throughout the 10-week summer camp. The youngsters learned the various handball strokes throughout the 10-week summer camp, as well as cross-training, conditioning, and hand-eye coordination exercises to improve their overall fitness.

“I’ve coached every sport there is throughout my 40-year career as a physical education teacher and coach and there is no sport that forces you to use both sides of your body and mind like handball,” stated TRC Summer Camp director Charlie “Coach” Anderson. “I love having the JR WPH Coaches as part of the camp because they are excellent at teaching the sport and organizing the lessons and playing handball is a great experience for the kids.”

“The kids really improved each week and it was a lot of fun to watch the kids rallying and playing handball games,” stated JR WPH TRC Summer Camp coach Spence Hatcher.”

“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve done this summer and for the past six summers at the TRC All Sports Summer Camp,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Our coaches work extremely hard to provide the best possible experience on the handball court for the TRC Summer Camp youngsters. I really enjoy watching the kids from as young as seven to 16 learning and developing their skills on the handball court, and most importantly, having fun on the handball court.”

USHA JR 3 Wall Nationals

Posted on July 31, 2018 by DV

Venice Beach, CA, WPH Press, 7/31/18- The 2018 USHA National Junior 3-Wall Championships in Venice Beach on the last weekend of July, featured 84 junior handball players from California, Arizona, Kansas, Colorado, and Mexico. The 8-19 year-old junior handball stars played in as many as six small ball and big ball singles and doubles brackets on Venice Beach’s sun-splashed courts.

“Great weekend in Venice Beach,” barked Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director and Head Coach Abraham Montijo. “We took 17 juniors to compete, and for 10 of 17, it was their first time competing in an out of state tournament. We brought seven national titles back to Tucson!”

“We hosted 84 junior players and their families at Venice Beach,” proudly stated tournament director and sponsor Marcus Hough. “My aim is to increase the attendance in the following years and thus infuse handball for years to come.” JRWPH made cash donations toward the tournament with hopes of assisting Marcus Hough with his vision.

Photos courtesy of the Fred Lewis Foundation Facebook page

To read the recap on the 2018 USHA National Junior 3-Wall Championships from the USHA, go HERE

To follow all of the results from the 2018 USHA National Junior 3-Wall Championships, go HERE

For more information on the USHA, go to ushandball.org

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