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JR WPH Benefit *No Entry Fee Event – Nov 6-8, 2015
NOV 6-8TH, 2015, TUCSON, AZ, PRESS- ESPN & The World Players of Handball have teamed up for another High Desert Southwest Showdown, as the WPH enters its 5th R48Pro Season. This “No-Entry-Fee/Donation-Only” event is designed to raise funds for the Junior WPH Development program. A program that has featured over 2,000 junior clinics to over 6,000 handballers, “We perform clinics at all R48Pro Stops while on the road, plus outdoor big ball 3 wall cup stops,” says WPH ED, Dave Vincent. “Having the pros on the same court as juniors is inspiring, but that’s not all. We have certified coaches on both coasts and in multiple countries. We have developed an amazing coaching manual and perform routine instructional(s) at college rec centers, clubs and tournaments all over this globe. It’s inspired us to bring you into the mix with our Junior Benefit Tournament this upcoming November, alongside the Tucson Memorial.”
The Tucson Memorial Handball Open (Nov 6-8th, 2015) was designed to honor and celebrate friends and family of the sport, that have passed, with hopes of highlighting their life achievements, archiving their legacies, and sharing their stories. Tucson Memorial Handball Open (Nov 6-8th, 2015) was designed to honor and celebrate friends and family of the sport, that have passed, with hopes of highlighting their life achievements, archiving their legacies, and sharing their stories.
“Handball is a very personal sport. We play this game with our hands–striking a ball against a wall and repeating the motions in search of something that is hard to define. There is not much gear involved or fancy clothing necessary. We show up and play. Some show up and become staples in the handball community. …Characters. …Jokesters. …Leaders. Some show up, play and silently go home leaving us wondering who they are away from the game. In all, over time, we find ourselves competing with our closest of friends. This tournament (November 6-8th, Tucson, Arizona) and is designed to honor and celebrate the lives of those that have come and gone; affecting our lives in the process.”
THE EVENT: The World Players of Handball, along with ESPN, bring a unique professional handball tour stop as WPH Live TV enters its 5th year of professional Race4Eight action. This Junior WPH Benefit event is an “No-Entry-Fee” Tournament; allowing the participant the ability to play up to two divisions, while making a donation to the Junior WPH Development Fund (of any size) at their will. The WPH is a tax exempt 501c3 Non-Profit Foundation.
WPH Race Schedule 2015/16, Rankings and Rules (4 Wall Small Ball Professional Handball Tour, by ESPN3) – HERE>
FREE Event Divisions:
1.Divisions Offered (can play four ways; ***but some restrictions below)
PAPER MAIL Postmarked BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2015 (ONLINE BY 11/3)
JUNIOR WPH SMALL BALL 4W SINGLES 9U, 11U, 13U, 15U
JUNIOR WPH SMALL BALL 4W DOUBLES 13U, 15U, 17U
JUNIOR WPH BIG BALL 4W SINGLES 9U, 11U, 13U, 15U, BIG BALL DOUBLE BOUNCE 9U NOVICE
WPH SMALL BALL 4W SINGLES QUAL, A, B, C, 50, 60, 70, WOMEN A/B
WPH SMALL BALL 4W DOUBLES B, C, 50+, 60+, PRO/AM *Not FREE Division* $80 per player; winner takes all
WPH BIG BALL 4W SINGLES PRO, B, 50+
WPH BIG BALL 4W DOUBLES PRO, B, 50+
2.Donate to Junior WPH:
This “No-Entry-Fee/Donation-Only” event is designed to raise funds for the Junior WPH Development program; featuring over 2,000 junior clinics per year; performing clinics at all R48Pro Stops while on the road, plus outdoor big ball 3 wall cup stops, and non-pro events around the country. WPH believes in having the pros on the same court as juniors, to inspire. The new WPH Coaching Manual is landmark-important and is used at college rec centers, clubs and tournaments all over this globe. “It’s inspired us to bring you into the mix with our Junior Benefit Tournament this upcoming November, alongside the Tucson Memorial. Please do join us and bring a newbie w/you so they can learn too!” -WPH
Tax-deductible gifts ~ Send payment to: WPH, 3561 E SUNRISE DRIVE #125, TUCSON, AZ, 85718
(Donation is not required to participate)
Join the WPH (Member): r$30 (basic) r$75 (All Access Viewing Pass)
*Must be WPH member to participate; see member benefits @ www.wphpass.com
3.Awards: R48Pro Men: 1st $5,000, 2nd $2,000, 3rd/4th $1,250, & payouts from 5th-16th
Big Ball Pro Sgls & Dbls: 1st $1,000, 2nd $600, 3rd/4th $400, & payouts from 5th-8th
Big Ball B Singles: 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd/4th 150, & payouts from 5th-8th
*To qualify for $$$, all big ball players must also play in one small ball division
Small Ball 4W Pro/Am Dubs: $80 per player entry (100% of the profits goes toward Jr WPH)
1st Place: $1,000 winner-takes-all!
*Enter the event w/out a partner; players will be matched in a bind draw
All other divisions receive medals and trophies for finalists
Directors:
David Vincent (R48Pro) Email: vincent@wphlive.tv
Tom Flores (Big Ball) Phone: (323) 605-6679 Email: flores@wphoutdoor.com
David Fink (Junior WPH) Email: fink@race4eight.com
JR WPH Updated Outdoor Rankings: Post Vegas
The WPH has held multiple junior events throughout the season; none more exciting than the Marina Park Back2School Bash that netted just over 150 players under the age of 23, just 40 days back. Recently, in Las Vegas, Junior WPH & Coaches hosted clinics to over 50 non-handball playing youth, followed by even more high profile junior handball competition.
During this time, JR WPH has been tracking the progress of the junior player and has come up with a ranking system for those 20 and under, 16 and under, 14 and under and 10 and under. Today, we are pleased to share them with you.
Ranking events include 1 Wall Big Ball at Venice Beach; 3 Wall Big Ball @ Vegas and Huntington Beach:
| WPH Outdoor 20-and-under Big Ball Rankings | |||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Venice ’15 | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Andrew Garcia (CA) | 28 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | Rodolfo Ruiz (CA) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Angel Herrera (CA) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 3 | Marco Alatorre (CA) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 5 | Daniel Palacios (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Alfredo Leyva (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Jason Ke (NY) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Octavio Romero (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Alex Garcia (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | Eli Roberto (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Brian Pacheco (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Danny Romero (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Salomon Gallego (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| WPH Outdoor 16 and Under | |||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Venice ’15 | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Danny Vasquez (CA) | 18 | 8 | 0 | 10 |
| 1 | Jesus Mendez (CA) | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | Manuel Yep (CA) | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Oscar Sordia (CA) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Leonardo Castillo (CA) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 5 | Andre Moreno (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Edgar Olivar JR (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Fabian Moreno (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Henry Razo (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Octavio Romero (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Adrian Ortiz (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Bryan Alvarez (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Caleb Valle (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Jesus Rivas (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Junior Casas (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| WPH Outdoor 14-and-Under | |||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Venice ’15 | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Eddie Rocha (CA) | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| 2 | Michael Bautista (CA) | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | Jesus Mendez Jr (CA) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Eddie Barrios (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Xavier Flores (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Mauricio Ortiz (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 | Jacob Marin (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Ramon Yep JR (CA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 9 | Freddy Espindola (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | Miguel Valencia (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | JP Herrera (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | Edguardo Vargas (CA) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| WPH Outdoor 10-and-Under | ||||
| Rank | Player | Total | Marina ’15 | Vegas ’15 |
| 1 | Benjamin Torres Jr (CA) | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| 2 | Xavier Flores (CA) | 12 | 4 | 8 |
| 3 | Jacob Marin (CA) | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Jessie Barrientos (CA) | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 5 | Ramon Yep (CA) | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Angel Arazia (CA) | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Andres Araiza (MEX) | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | Destiny Rabino (CA) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | Gabriel Gonzalez Jr (CA) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | Javi Valle (CA) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Wednesday Night Junior WPH Vegas Youth Clinic
Junior WPH Kicked off the 6th annual WPH/WOR 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino with a Junior WPH Clinic for several dozen Las Vegas youth, with outdoor greats Timbo Gonzalez and Shorty Ruiz joining WPH Master Instructor David Fink in an exciting 3WallBall instructional.
Fink, Gonzalez and Ruiz stressed the importance of technique throughout the coaching session, with each coach teaching a different shot. After practicing the various shots introduced, the 50 junior first-time players jumped into target-practice games and doubles action with one another. “It’s always great to see so many youngsters enjoying the game for the first time,” stated Fink. “Our hope is that they continue playing this great game and enjoying all that it has to offer.
Junior WPH will be running more junior clinics throughout the five-day 3WallBall event, as well as a junior handball tournament throughout the weekend on the famed 3WallBall courts.
To watch live big ball and small ball play from the Stratosphere on Friday, tune into the Watch ESPN App (here). To follow all of the scores and draws from Vegas, click here. To follow all of the updates from Vegas and in the world of handball, go to wphlive.tv
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Junior WPH Clinic at the 2015 WPH/WOR 3 Wallball World Championships!
The World Players of Handball is thrilled to present a Junior WPH handball clinic at the famed Stratosphere 3-WallBall court complex on September 23rd, 2015 at 6 pm. The World Players of Handball hosts more than 500 junior handball clinics per year across the United States with certified coaches that are trained to work with groups of all sizes, levels and ages.
“The World Players of Handball could not be more excited to introduce handball to an enthusiastic group of youngsters at the home of 3WallBall,” stated WPH Master Instructor and Development Director David Fink. “The WPH/WOR 3WallBall Championships is the premiere outdoor event of the year and having the opportunity to work alongside racquetball and introduce youngsters to handball is the main priority of our organization. Don’t miss the clinic with several of the world’s top handball pros and instructors on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6 pm!”
Junior WPH prides itself on presenting the most fun, most educational and most structured junior handball clinics in the world. Every aspect of the game of handball is covered in all Junior WPH handball clinics, including the rules, the warm-up, stroke instruction, drills, drill-based games, group games, target-hitting competitions, and cross training. The goal of Junior WPH is to inspire the next generation of handball players. The World Players of Handball mandates that all of our instructors pass a rigorous series of exams before teaching clinics.
Meet the pros:
David Fink: Ranked as high as #2 on the WPH Race 4 Eight Pro Tour in early 2014, Fink combines a lifetime of handball experience with extensive knowledge of the game and working with youngsters. Fink wrote the WPH Coaching Manual and serves as the Junior WPH National Director. Fink coaches more than 100 junior handball clinics per year, while overseeing all aspects of Junior WPH
Timothy “Timbo” Gonzalez: Red Bull sponsored athlete Timbo Gonzalez is the undisputed #1 1-Wall Big Ball star in the world, recently winning the 1-Wall Big Ball Singles World Title in Calgary and New York City’s King of the Courts, two of the most prestigious titles in the sport. Not satisfied with just being the #1 1-Wall Big Ball star, Timbo has crossed over and excelled at 3-Wall Big Ball, winning multiple WPH Outdoor Doubles Yellow Jerseys and advancing to the finals of the 2014 WPH Outdoor Vegas LTE Pro Singles at the Stratosphere. Timbo’s talent and passion for 1-Wall and 3-Wall extends to coaching junior handball players, as he is one of the handball’s greatest coaches. Timbo coaches dozens of Red Bull and Junior WPH clinics each year in New York City, California and Nevada
Shorty Ruiz: Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and dynamic players in handball, Shorty Ruiz generates electricity and buzz in every match he plays. Ruiz proved that he is one of the sport’s elite, slamming the WPH/WOR 3WallBall singles and doubles in 2011. Ruiz brings the same enthusiasm and passion for playing as he does coaching junior players, making learning and playing the game fun for junior handball players of all levels
Jonathan Iglesias: Iglesias travels the world playing and coaching handball, as his passion for the sport is matched by very few. Ranked inside the top 12 on the WPH Race 4 Eight tour, Iglesias is a fixture on the professional handball circuit. Combining the love for the sport he developed on the 1-Wall courts in New York City as a youngster with coaching the next generation of players has made Iglesias one of the game’s premiere instructors, as he has hosted successful and enjoyable clinics in New York, Costa Rica, California, and Arizona in the last year.
Back2School Bash this weekend! Junior Entries Remain Open
The Junior WPH 3 Wall Big Ball California State Showdown-Back 2 School Bash and Hemborg Ford Cup Stop #4 is just two days away, but if you are 21 or younger, you can still register by 10am on Saturday. Contact us if you want to play! Only $5 entry for the junior players and prizes, souvenirs and State Championship Trophies are on the line! Email us at info@wphlive.tv
Huntington Beach’s Marina Park will host the final 2015 WPH Outdoor regular season stop of the summer, as WPH Outdoor pros aim for critical ranking points in advance of the WPH Cup Championship at September’s WPH/WOR 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships (entry here). 
WPH Outdoor #1 Samzon Hernandez, #2 Juan Santos, Venice Big Ball Xrossover champion Lobo Valencia, Venice Big Ball Xrosssover finalist Fredo Morales, R48 cross over star Jonathan Iglesias and many more top stars will be in action!
The Back 2 School Bash will also feature an exciting Junior WPH clinic and divisions for juniors of all ages. More than 60 juniors under the age of 20 are expected!
To read the full preview on the B2S Bash, click here.
The Junior WPH 3 Wall Big Ball California State Showdown-Back 2 School Bash and Hemborg Ford Cup Stop #4 will not be broadcast, but stay tuned to wphlive.tv, Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on all of the results from Southern California.
The World Players of Handball Present the Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/18/15- The World Players of Handball is proud to present the Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Tucson Racquet Club, featuring a pro handball exhibition between two of the World Players of Handball Race 4 Eight top 20 stars, Abraham Montijo and Jonathan Iglesias, as well as an exciting Junior WPH junior skills competition.
Tucson’s Abraham Montijo completed the most recent R48 IV season ranked 16th, with four heartbreaking overtime losses that could have easily seen the FLF head coach finish the season in the R48 top 10 with a few fortunate bounces. Montijo recently represented the Fred Lewis Foundation in the Junior WPH Battle of the Border, dropping a thrilling tiebreaker to Juarez’s WPH Race 4 Eight IV Rookie of the Year Daniel Cordova.
Costa Rica’s Jonathan Iglesias finished the R48 IV season a career-best 12th with impressive victories over Daniel Cordova and Mando Ortiz. Iglesias is striving to become part of the game’s elite in the upcoming Race season. “In the past I feel like I haven’t taken (handball) as seriously as I should have but that has changed,” stated Iglesias. “I’m traveling all over the world to play the best players and I want to break into the top five this year.” Iglesias will be traveling from the World Championships in Calgary to Tucson the day before the Tuesday Night Showdown.
The top 16 stars will battle for the prestigious title of Tuesday Night Showdown Champion and to start the upcoming Race 4 Eight season Powered by ESPN with momentum, as each pro sets his sights on the Elite 8.
Junior WPH will continue its emphasis on junior handball development at the Tuesday Night Showdown, as juniors will have the opportunity to compete for prizes in several handball skills competitions while being coached by the pros.
“Junior WPH has been extremely active throughout the summer in hosting clinics and junior tournaments around the country,” stated Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “We are proud to be able to incorporate events that include junior players playing alongside and learning from the pros.”
The Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition will start at 6 pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. Don’t miss this great opportunity to watch two of the best players in the world and Tucson’s top juniors competing for WPH prizes in various skills competitions.
The WPH hosts all of its events to inspire the next generation of handball players, often by showcasing the best players in the world. Please consider donating to the World Players of Handball at the Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition to help us host junior handball clinics and tournaments, provide handball equipment for junior handball programs and to provide junior handball players with the opportunity to travel to handball tournaments.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
The WPH Tuesday Night Showdown & Jr Skills Competition-For Immediate Release
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/18/15- The World Players of Handball is proud to present the Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Tucson Racquet Club, 4001 N. Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85716.
The Tuesday Night Showdown will feature a pro handball exhibition between two of the World Players of Handball Race 4 Eight top 20 stars, Jonathan Iglesias and Abraham Montijo. Costa Rica’s Jonathan Iglesias is ranked 12th on the R48 tour and coming off his best season, while Tucson’s Abraham Montijo completed the most recent R48 IV season ranked 16th. The top 16 stars will battle for the prestigious title of Tuesday Night Showdown Champion, while aiming to start the upcoming Race 4 Eight season Powered by ESPN with momentum going into R48 V Stop #1 at the Simple Green U.S. Open.
Junior WPH will continue its emphasis on junior handball development at the Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition, as juniors will have the opportunity to compete for prizes in several handball skills competitions while being coached by the pros.
“Junior WPH has been extremely active throughout the summer in hosting clinics and junior tournaments around the country,” stated Youth Donor and Development Director David Fink. “We are proud to be able to incorporate events that include junior players playing alongside and learning from the pros.”
The Tuesday Night Showdown & Junior Skills Competition will start at 6 pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. Don’t miss this great opportunity to watch two of the best players in the world and support junior handball.
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Junior WPH Battle of the Border and Calcutta Doubles
Tucson, AZ, 8/15/15– The World Players of Handball was thrilled to present the Junior WPH Battle of the Border and Calcutta Doubles in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, August 15th, 2015. Junior WPH Juarez made the 326-mile trip east to Tucson, bringing eight junior players between the ages of 8-19, as well as seven adult players from the handball handball-crazed town. Tucson’s Fred Lewis Foundation boasted seven junior players, ranging from in age from eight to 18. Tucson’s strong adult community also filled the Open Singles and Calcutta Draws, boasting 16 additional players. Players and fans were also treated to special pro showdown between Tucson’s top 20 R48 pro Abraham Montijo and Juarez’s R48 Rookie of the Year Daniel Cordova.
The Battle of the Border pitted Junior WPH Juarez against the Fred Lewis Foundation in 13 singles matches, with the team winning seven matches staking its claim as the Border Champion. WPH Juarez started strong, as Leo Canales Jr. defeated Kaelen Rae in the first match. FLF’s Esteban Camacho and Gabriel Vega rallied the Fred Lewis Foundation, defeating Junior WPH Juarez’s Sebastian Canale in separate matches. Daniel Cordova rallied from a 55-minute first game loss to 
Abraham Montijo to outlast his R48 rival, defeating Montijo in a tiebreaker for the second time this year and evening the score between Team Juarez and Team FLF. Junior girl’s sensation and FLF MVP Sophie Della Croce placed Team FLF on her back during the second half of the event, winning all four of her matches to secure the Battle of the Border team title for Team FLF.
“We were thrilled with the turnout, the sportsmanship and the enthusiasm of all of the junior
players,” stated Battle of the Border tournament director David Fink. “Each of the juniors played handball all day and each was asking to play more. Both Junior WPH Juarez and Team FLF have incredible junior programs and we are so excited to be able to provide opportunities for the teams to compete against one another.”
Leo Canales Jr. advanced to the final of the open singles with impressive victories against Kaelen Rae and Jacob Kavkewitz, while his father, Leo Canales, Sr. also advanced to the final with victories against Richie Estrella and Guero Baylon. The father-son duo met in an open final for the second consecutive week, and just as in Santa Fe last weekend, Leo Jr. emerged victorious. Leo Jr. teamed with 70+ superstar Vince San Angelo in the Calcutta Doubles, earning the “Border Slam” with four victories in the 13-team event, including an impressive 25-11 victory against Khalsa 2 and Kaelen Rae in the doubles final. Leo Jr., a freshman at Lake Forest College, won each of his seven matches during the Battle of the Border and proved that he has both the skills and endurance to become a great player.
Thank you to all of the generous donors who made this event possible. Stay tuned to wphlive.tv and Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest handball news from around the world.
by dave fink, senior reporter