JR WPH Clinic at the 2026 Jr. Vasquez

Posted on July 13, 2026 by DV

San Gabriel, CA, WPH Press, 7/12/26WPH legend Mando Ortiz and current Race 4 Eight # 10 Dylan Hernandez teamed up to deliver an outstanding clinic for more than a dozen Southern California juniors before Sunday’s Jr. Vasquez pro doubles final.

Mando and Dylan started the clinic by introducing the warm-up routine, followed by drills.

Hernandez and Mando then separated the junior players by level, with Hernandez working with the beginners on throwing the ball to warm up, using both hands, and eventually hitting the ball by bouncing and stepping into the shot with both hands. Mando worked with the more advanced juniors, explaining and demonstrating return of serves from different types of serves and returning to center of court.

“Beautiful, excellent clinic,” beamed tournament director Tom Martinez. “After the clinic, Dylan and Mando ran the junior tournament. Thank you to the WPH for all of the help throughout the years.”

Thank you to Mark and Tom for an outstanding event, including the Saturday and Sunday barbecue at the courts.

Pictures courtesy of Dylan Hernandez and Tom Martinez

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

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

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Coach Niamh’s Junior Handball Training

Posted on July 6, 2026July 13, 2026 by DV

Week 4: Reaction and Coordination

JR WPH Press, 7/6/26

On Week 4 of Coach Niamh’s Junior Handball Training, Coach Niamh introduces exercises to improve reaction time and coordination, with the aim of helping players react more quickly and to stay in control under pressure.

Exercise	Reps	Sets	Explanation	Why?
Handball drop catch	5	3	Have a partner drop a handball or tennis ball without warning. Catch it before it bounces twice.	Handball is a reaction sport. Faster reactions help players get more shots and improve court coverage.
Clap push ups	5	3	Complete a push-up and push explosively enough to clap your hands before landing.	Develops upper-body power which can help generate stronger shots.
Figure of 8 run	5	3	Place two cones 3 meters apart and run around them in a figure of 8 pattern.	Improves footwork, balance, and the ability to change direction quickly.
Balloon rally challenge	5	3	Keep a balloon in the air using your hands without letting it touch the ground.	Improves hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

Niamh Heffernan

JR WPH is thrilled to welcome 2025 and 2026 Stalsberg Cup champion Niamh Heffernan as a JR WPH Coach. Coach Niamh possesses extensive knowledge on fitness, cross-training, and of course, winning Race 4 Eight titles. Coach Niamh will be a frequent contributor to the WPH website, social media pages, and YouTube page, providing content for handball players to improve their technique, while creating training programs for junior handball players. Coach Niamh will also coach JR WPH clinics at Race 4 Eight events.

JR WPH Coaches HERE

Coach Niamh Joins Team JR WPH HERE

Coach Niamh Week 1 Junior Handball Training HERE

Coach Niamh Week 2 Junior Handball Training HERE

Coach Niamh’s Week 3 Junior Handball Training 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

Coach Niamh’s Junior Handball Training

Posted on July 3, 2026July 13, 2026 by DV

Week 3: Power and Explosiveness

JR WPH Press, 7/2/26

On Week 3 of Coach Niamh’s Junior Handball Training, Coach Niamh introduces drills to boost power to help players move quickly, cover more ground, and strike the ball with confidence.

Exercise	Reps	Sets	Explanation	Why?
Squat Jumps	5	3	Lower into a squat and jump as high as possible.	Develops explosive leg power for quick movement around the court.
Broad Jumps	5	3	Jump forwards as far as possible and land under control.	Improves lower-body power and teaches players to generate force.
Sprint and Touch	5	3	Sprint 10 meters, touch the line, and sprint back.	Builds acceleration and speed, both essential for handball.
Medicine ball / tennis ball throw	5	3	Throw the ball as far as possible using both hands.	Develops upper-body power and coordination, helping players generate stronger shots.

Niamh Heffernan

JR WPH Coaches HERE

Coach Niamh Joins Team JR WPH HERE

Coach Niamh Week 1 Junior Handball Training HERE

Coach Niamh Week 2 Junior Handball Training HERE

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

Coach Niamh’s Week 2: Balance and Body Control

Posted on June 22, 2026July 13, 2026 by DV

JR WPH Press, 6/21/26

On Week 2 of Coach Niamh’s Junior Handball Training, Coach Niamh introduces drills and exercises to develop balance and body control for players to hit shots while moving or changing direction.

Niamh Heffernan

JR WPH Coaches HERE

Coach Niamh Joins Team JR WPH HERE

Coach Niamh Week 1 Junior Handball Training HERE

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

Coach Niamh’s Week 1: Footwork and Fast Feet

Posted on June 16, 2026July 13, 2026 by DV

JR WPH Press, 6/16/26

Welcome to Week 1 of Coach Niamh Heffernan’s jr handball conditioning. In Week 1, Coach Niamh identifies and explains 4 exercises to improve footwork, reaction time, and quickness.

Week 1

One of the biggest differences between good handball players and great handball players is their movement. This week is all about improving footwork and reaction speed.

Niamh Heffernan

JR WPH Coaches HERE

Coach Niamh Joins Team JR WPH HERE

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

JR WPH Welcomes Coach Heffernan

Posted on June 14, 2026 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 6/14/26

JR WPH is thrilled to welcome 2025 and 2026 Stalsberg Cup champion Niamh Heffernan as a JR WPH Coach. Coach Niamh possesses extensive knowledge on fitness, cross-training, and of course, winning Race 4 Eight titles. Coach Niamh will be a frequent contributor to the WPH website, social media pages, and YouTube page, proving content for handball players to improve their technique, while creating training programs for junior handball players. Additionally, Coach Niamh will coach JR WPH clinics at Race 4 Eight events.

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Martin Mulkerrins Joins JR WPH

Posted on June 3, 2026 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 6/2/26

JR WPH is proud to welcome Race 4 Eight #1 and two-time Stalsberg Cup champion Martin Mulkerrins as a JR WPH Coach and Ambassador. Coach Martin will host JR WPH clinics and events throughout Texas, to include 2026/27 Lone Star tournaments at the Aggieland, Corpus Christi, San Angelo, Randolph Cup, George Lee, in addition to serving as a JR WPH ambassador in his various initiatives throughout the handball world.

“I am excited to join Team JR WPH and to continue our work together promoting and growing the sport of Handball, especially with junior and collegiate players,” stated Coach Martin. “I look forward to delivering more clinics and helping to organize tournaments such as the Aggieland Classics each semester, which are WPH R48 Pre-Qualifiers. It is exciting for collegiate players that the Randolph Cup will also include a WPH Pre-Qualifier feature next year! I am also delighted to be assisting with and supporting the organization of the 80th George Lee tournament to be a WPH R48 Pro Stop in January 2027″.

Coach Martin has traveled the world promoting handball; building courts in Africa and inspiring junior and collegiate handball players in the U.S., Ireland, and beyond. JR WPH is thrilled to include Coach Martin on its esteemed handball coaching team.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

Utah State University Clinics

Posted on May 16, 2026May 16, 2026 by DV

Logan, Utah, Junior-World Players of Handball Press, May 14, 2026:

Written by: Stacey Marble, Herm Olsen and Martin Mulkerrins

Photos: Eilish Mulkerrins

Traveling straight from the 2026 WPH Race 4 Eight Players Championship in Salt Lake City, #1 ranked WPH Pro Martin Mulkerrins traveled to Utah State University in Logan, UT to coach junior and collegiate clinics.

Junior Clinic

Utah State University Coach, Stacey Marble, arranged for local junior players (8-12 years old) learn handball from Coach Mulkerrins and other local coaches at USU.

“It was fantastic to see so many children on the court, and it was obvious from the serves and shots that many of them were able to hit that the summer camps that Coach Stacey has been organizing have been very impactful. I also enjoyed seeing so many of the other local coaches and players with their children and grandchildren there. I am very optimistic for the future of Handball in Logan and at USU,” stated Mulkerrins.

Coach Stacey also reflected on the clinic and said that “the kids were thrilled to have Martin here to teach them more about handball. We had a few first-time players and a handful of kids that had taken the summer class in 2025. It is such a thrill to watch them enjoy the game at this age, and to see the skills that are already there!”.

Collegiate Clinic

“The Handball Club was ecstatic to have Martin visit and share valuable tips and techniques to help players grow their skills and confidence. It was a great privilege—and a lot of fun—to be on the court with Martin and learn directly from his experience. The clinic energized the club and inspired players at every level to continue developing as handball athletes,” stated Seth Gentry, President of Utah State University Handball Club.

Following the junior clinic the local adult players and members of the USU Collegiate Handball team also participated in a clinic with Martin. A wide range of topics were discussed, including the footwork and form for sidearm shots, the backwall shot, as well as demonstration and practicing the power serve and fist shot to the ceiling.

Coach Martin would later add, “I get a lot of questions about the underhand fist shot to the ceiling, so it was good to have some discussion and demonstration of that shot. We played some matches and cutthroat also, which was good to give some players more tailored feedback based on what I was observing while playing.

“I am very encouraged by the strong community here and the club leadership have done a great job of also gaining campus rec (club sport status) in the past couple of months, which I think will be a game changer for them in terms of promotion and recruitment”.

About JR WPH Coach, Martin Mulkerrins:

Martin Mulkerrins is a two-time Stalsberg Cup champion for finishing number one on the Race 4 Eight season and proudly serves as a JR WPH Coach, sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion with the next generation of handball players. Coach Martin has traveled the world promoting handball; building courts in Africa and inspiring junior and collegiate handball players in the U.S., Ireland, and beyond. JR WPH is thrilled to include Coach Martin on its esteemed handball coaching team.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

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