Mulkerrins Hosts Clinics

Posted on September 26, 2024October 10, 2024 by DV

College Station, TX, World Players of Handball Foundation Press, 9/27/24

Written by Martin Mulkerrins

Texas A&M Handball Club hosted a JR WPH sponsored clinic on September 25^th, with more than forty attendees participating over the course of the two-and-a-half-hour session. Martin Mulkerrins delivered two clinics, one for students trying Handball for the first time or in their first few weeks playing, and the second for intermediate/advanced club players.

The first clinic focused on the fundamentals of the game in terms of footwork, cupping the hand when striking, and keeping the eye on the ball as well as some drills to use to improve on the back wall shot.

The second clinic primarily focused on the back wall shot, and more specifically, how to practice back wall kill shots. Different drills were discussed and demonstrated with each student present getting the chance to try to kill the ball. This drill was coupled with a “hit the target” competition, which was won by Rhys Pardoe. Rhys selected one of the Handball shirts that were kindly sponsored by the WPH for the clinic.

After the clinics students played some matches and also got the opportunity to win more WPH sponsored prizes (shirts, gloves, balls etc.). Another kill shot/hit the target competition was enjoyed by everybody and this was followed by a mini tournament for the students who had started playing this semester. After a number of timed games Shiva Shelvaraju won the tournament against Luke Bethancourt.

“It was a super turnout for the clinic, our biggest attendance so far this semester,” stated handball ambassador and coach Martin Mulkerrins. “All of us here at TAMU are very thankful to the WPH for their continued support for our program. The sponsored shirts, gloves, balls and medals generated that bit of extra excitement during the clinic. We look forward to more events like this in the future and in the short term we are excited for the WPH R48 Pre-Qualifier which will take place here on October 11/12^th as part of the Johnson/Mathis Aggieland Classic”.

Thank you to R48 #1 and 2023/24 WPH Race 4 Eight Sportsmanship Award Winner for organizing and hosting this inspiring JR WPH Clinic.

Photos courtesy of Eilish Owens

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, 3602 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716

Become a handball insider by enjoying never before seen videos, pro commentary, special awards, Sports Casts archives and new episodes, live broadcasts, and much more by supporting the WPH and inspiring the next generation of players through the WPH Patreon program.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

JR WPH @ 24 Memorial

Posted on September 25, 2024September 25, 2024 by DV

Tucson, Arizona, WPH Press, September 24th, 2024

Junior-WPH was thrilled to host several dozen junior handball players at the 2024 Memorial handball tournament at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club. Juniors from Tucson, Phoenix, Juarez, El Paso, Colorado, and Ireland competed in Junior singles, Pro singles, A singles, B singles, and doubles brackets during the first event of the 2024/25 Race 4 Eight season.

JR WPH is proud to offer events to inspire the next generation of players, providing junior and collegiate players the opportunity to watch the pros, compete against one another, and build lifelong friendships and memories. While the top pros may garner most of the attention at the Race 4 Eight events, it is the junior players who provide the most inspiration and excitement.

Thank you to all of the coaches who traveled with the junior players and inspire the youngsters each day.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Watkins Mentors

Posted on August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by DV

Los Angeles, California, Junior-World Players of Handball Press, August 26th, 2024

Junior-WPH Coach and World Players of Handball social media influencer Ryan “Waddy Pup” Watkins introduced a group of thirty youngsters between the ages of four to eight years old to handball at the Los Angeles Athletic Club Summer Camp in July. Coach Watkins split the youngsters into two groups of fifteen, working on throwing the ball with both hands, hitting the ball off drop feeds, and paired the players into groups of two to play two-bounce.

“The kids learned the fundamentals of the numerous sports offered at the LAAC Summer Camp,” barked the Pup. “After watching a few of us play during their lunch break, many kids expressed interest in giving handball a try. We offered to give them lessons and they incorporated handball into the last week of the summer camp.”

Thank you to the Waddy Pup for inspiring the next generation of players at the LAAC.

Enter the March 21-23, 2025 Race 4 Eight LAAC HERE

2024/25 Race 4 Eight schedule and entries HERE

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

JR WPH @ Summer Camp

Posted on August 6, 2024August 6, 2024 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/5/24

JR WPH proudly coached weekly junior handball clinics at the 2024 Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp, emphasizing dexterity, coordination, speed, and of course, fun! The camp directors and counselors were thrilled to have the opportunity to incorporate handball into the camp curriculum, providing the youngsters with the opportunity to learn a sport the summer campers would have likely not experienced. Certified WPH coaches led the youngsters through progressions that started with throwing the ball, catching the ball, drop-hitting, serving, and eventually playing crosscourt two-bounce.

“Handball is an incredibly challenging sport to learn, especially with youngsters, so we aim to create an environment where kids can gradually adapt to the game through a series of attainable sequences that leads to the youngsters successfully rallying,” stated WPH Master Instructor David Fink. “Many of the kids tell me that playing handball is their favorite part of the camp.”

JR WPH has introduced handball to hundreds of summer campers at the Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp since 2013.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Mando Ortiz Mentors…

Posted on July 29, 2024October 10, 2024 by DV

Race 4 Eight Legend Mando Ortiz Inspires the Next Generation in Riverside

Riverside, CA, WPH Press, 7/28/24

Race 4 Eight legend Mando Ortiz coached a JR WPH Clinic at the Bill Doles Baby Doll doubles tournament in Riverside, CA. The two-time Race 4 Eight champion and former R48 #1 taught the large group of youngsters how to step into the ball to execute his patented back wall kill. “I was happy to step up and drop some knowledge about our great game,” stated Mando.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Santa Ana HB Club @ LAFD

Posted on July 28, 2024October 10, 2024 by DV

Los Angeles, CA, WPH Press, 7/24/24

Written by Vic Perez

LAFD Fire Station 4 proudly hosted juniors on the fourth Thursday in July. Located in the Arts District, FS4 is one of the busiest assignments in Los Angeles. The youngsters learned about Firefighter equipment and hose manipulation, while also learning 4-Wall Handball drills proctored by LAFD firefighters David Hinojosa @ 14’s, Sergio Guzman @ 79’s and Vic Perez @ 4’s. Students got to see first-hand the daily life of a Firefighter and how demanding but also rewarding the job can be. In addition, students were taught small ball drills and proper mechanics by WPH R48 Pro Vic Perez.

Special thanks to Marcos Chavez of Digiflex (HERE) for sponsoring LAFD Handball Gloves for the students.

Thank you to WPH Race 4 Eight pro Vic Perez for providing an unforgettable experience for the youngsters.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

End of Season Advisory Tourney

Posted on May 22, 2024August 6, 2024 by DV

JR WPH Sponsors Carl Hayden Event

Phoenix, AZ, WPH Press, 5/22/24

JR WPH proudly sponsored the End of Season Advisory Tournament at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, AZ. JR WPH provided tournament balls, medals, autographed handballs from several Race 4 Eight pros and WPH shirts for one of the biggest handball tournaments of the school year at Carl Hayden High School.

“We had about 50 participants,” stated Coach Chris Hogan. “The students appreciated the shirts, medals, and the autographed small balls as prizes. Our season has concluded, so it is time to take a break because next year the Handball Club is going to be busy!! I want to thank Carl Hayden for the support and the WPH for the awards, support of our program, and being our BIGGEST fan!!”

“JR WPH is thrilled to support Coach Hogan’s phenomenal junior handball program at Carl Hayden High School,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “Thank you to our generous donors for providing prizes to the tournament players – we all know how nice it feels to receive an award for finishing well in a big tournament. JR WPH will proudly continue to support Coach Hogan’s Carl Hayden handball program during the 2024/25 school year.”

Thank you to JR WPH donors Chris Watkins and Ashley Ruiz for generously donating to the Carl Hayden junior handball End of Season Advisory Tournament.

Photos courtesy of Coach Chris Hogan.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

JR WPH/USHA Junior Clinic

Posted on April 15, 2024August 6, 2024 by DV

w/Team Carl Hayden High School – Tucson, Arizona, WPH Press, April 14th, 2024-

Junior-WPH and the United States Handball Association proudly collaborated with twelve players from Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School duri8ng the combined WPH R48Pro Stop/USHA Hall of Fame Tournament over the weekend. David Fink and USHA board member & Race 4 Eight pro Max Langmack explained how to hit the small ball, highlighting the whip stroke with a loose wrist and turning sideways. Langmack demonstrated how to let the ball drop to nearly the floor to hit kill shots. After all of the kids had an opportunity to hit various shots, each had a chance to return Langmack’s serve, with a few even returning it.

“We love collaborating together, especially when it comes to growing the game,” stated Fink. “When the WPH and USHA have a chance to co-host events and junior clinics, it’s really a win-win for everyone involved. Both the WPH and USHA love seeing kids enthusiastically traveling to play in our events and we will always do what we can to help the players improve and enjoy their experience at our combined events.”

“Our players really enjoyed David and Max’s interaction with them,” stated Carl Hayden Head Coach Chris Hogan.

For more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

Trending