WPH Press, 12/23/22
The mission of JR WPH is to inspire the next generation to develop discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity, and a physically active lifestyle through handball. Since JR WPH’s inception in 2013, JR WPH has provided opportunities for thousands of youngsters to experience the challenge of learning and playing handball in structured, organized, safe, and supportive clinics and tournaments that emphasize camaraderie, having fun, and developing life skills and a lifelong commitment to physical fitness through handball.
JR WPH initiatives are supported by donors that are determined to grow the game and to provide opportunities for youth development through handball.
Thank you to all of the WPH coaches and pro players for giving back and helping to grow the game.
To enable Junior WPH to continue to host junior handball clinics and tournaments 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 Dr., 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
2022 JR WPH Clinics and Initiatives
JR WPH Juarez Flourishing in 2022 (Annual)
WPH Press, 1/25/22
JR WPH is proud to continue to support the JE WPH Juarez handball program in Juarez, MEX. JR WPH has passionately supported the JR WPH Juarez program for nearly a decade, providing the Juarez team with handball equipment, sponsoring tournaments, hosting clinics, and offering travel assistance.
The 2022 JR WPH Juarez program features nearly 20 players between the ages of nine to fourteen, with twice-weekly practices at the San Angel Athletic Club led by coaches Andres Cordova and Alex Garcia.
“The WPH always helps the Juarez handball community,” stated Juarez handball patriarch Luis Cordova, Sr.
JR WPH Juarez has historically featured some of the most passionate and skilled players in North America and the WPH and its donors are thrilled to be able to inspire these youngsters.
JR WPH Clinic Inspires in Houston (February)
WPH Press, Houston, TX, 2/21/22
JR WPH was proud to host a junior handball clinic during the 2022 Houston Race 4 Eight, teaching several youngsters how to properly swing, rally, and have fun on the court. The youngsters enjoyed several progressions throughout the clinic, starting with throwing and catching, bouncing and hitting, serving, and eventually rallying.
“We have really missed having the opportunity to get kids on the court during our hiatus, and it was wonderful to see all of the smiling faces enjoying the game,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “The kids continued to play throughout the weekend on any open courts at the Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA, often drawing bigger crowds than the pros!”
JR WPH Clinic at the R48 March Madness/USHA Hall of Fame (March)
20-time R48 champion and current R48 #1 Killian Carroll led a JR WPH Clinic for a dozen handball-crazed youngsters from Tucson, El Paso, and Juarez. “The two most important things in handball are watching the ball and cupping your hand when you hit so the ball cannot go through your fingers,” stated Carroll to the awestruck group of youngsters. Coach Carroll had the youngsters practice their serves with both hands, then played each in points. Despite being in between the quarterfinals and semifinals, Carroll flashed his patented dives and speed against his 10-year-old opponents. “Only Killian would dive in a junior clinic,” laughed ESPN cameraman Che Lowenstein.
Thank you to Killian Carroll for an outstanding clinic and donating his time to inspire the next generation of players.
JR WPH Coaching Center: Teaching Kids (March)
On this edition of the WPH Coaching Center, WPH Master Instructor David Fink discusses the progressions in teaching kids how to play and develop a passion handball, starting with throwing and catching, drop feeding, serving, playing the ball off the bounce, and rallying, all designed to make the game fun and playable on the first day for kids of all ages.
Watch here: HERE
VII Juarez Handball Tournament Junior Clinic (March)
Several of the pro players hosted a junior clinic at the 2022 JHT, with 16 kids sharing the court and learning from the pros in a 30-minute clinic. “We focused on side arm swings off the bounce and side arm swings with the ball coming off the front wall, side wall, and back wall,” stated 2022 JHT coach and Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director Abraham Montijo. “Great bunch of kids. [JR WPH Juarez Coach] Alejandro Garcia, Jr. was amazing with the group. Alex pretty much had the kids playing from morning until about 10 pm.”
Thank you to Abraham, Alex, and the rest of the pros, coaches and players who inspired the youngsters at the 2022 JHT!
JR WPH Spends the Day at Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School (May)
JR WPH headed to Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School to conduct clinics and point play with the vibrant Hayden High School student handball community during the two Hayden High School lunch periods. WPH Master Instructor David Fink started each of the sessions by playing hundreds of points with the kids, with each player rotating after each point. After the point play, Coach Fink provided an instructional on the serve and return of serve, court positioning, strategy, and diet.
“I see most of you just lobbing the ball in on your serve, and the returner standing against the left wall to protect his off-hand, then standing on the back line after the return,” stated Coach Fink to the two large groups of high school handballers. “The serve must be struck with the intention of getting an ace or a weak return, and the return position should be in the middle of the court, with the returner moving inside the dotted line after the return.”
“Carl Hayden had the great honor and pleasure to have David Fink, the #4 ranked player in the world, visit our campus during both lunches,” stated Carl Hayden head handball coach and ambassador Chris Hogan. “Our players were excited to meet David and to be able to play points against him. David and the World Players of Handball (WPH) have been great supporters of our program over the years. Our players took the opportunity to speak with Mr. Fink, and appreciated his tips and suggestions about the game. Coach Fink’s visit was a great success and we really appreciated his tutorage. We look forward to taking our Carl Hayden group to the Tucson Memorial in November.”
“Spending the afternoon at Hayden High School was a truly incredible experience,” stated David Fink. “As a handballer, there is nothing more exciting and inspiring than seeing young people demonstrating a passion for the game. Hayden High School boasts five 3-Wall courts, all filled with handball during the two Hayden lunch periods. The kids had wonderful attitudes and were all enjoying having the opportunity to play on a beautiful Arizona day. After playing big ball for the first part of the point play, many kids enthusiastically played small ball for the first time. Thank you to Coach Chris Hogan, who is doing an outstanding job recruiting, inspiring, coaching, and mentoring so many Carl Hayden students. The day at Carl Hayden High School was truly one of my favorite experiences in handball.”
JR WPH is proud to support the Carl Hayden Handball Program and Coach Hogan’s efforts to inspire youngsters to play handball.
JR WPH Clinic at the OR State Doubles (May)
JR WPH Coach and WPH Ambassador Nick Flores conducted a JR WPH Clinic on Saturday afternoon at the 2022 Oregon State Doubles Championships in Eugene, OR. The youngsters were instructed on their form for both their strong-hands and off-hands, then put their new knowledge to work in various serve and return drills. Additionally, the youngsters were shown how to properly throw and hit the ball to the ceiling. The highlight of the clinic was Coach Flores playing points with the youngsters, who were eager to put their new skills to the test.
Thank you to tournament directors Randy Stender and Charlie Ikard for putting on a great tournament and highlighting the junior players. Thank you to Coach Flores for coaching and reporting on the clinic in Eugene.
JR WPH Clinic at the 6th Annual Portland 1-Wall Big Ball Doubles (August)
WPH ambassador Nick Flores conducted a Junior WPH clinic with the juniors in attendance at the 6th annual Portland 1-Wall Big Ball Doubles. Flores worked with the juniors on the importance of serve placement in one-wall, with an emphasis on using angle serves while taking care not to serve the ball out of play. The juniors each took a turn practicing these serves while another junior would attempt to return the serves. Next, Flores worked with the juniors on executing the fly shot in one-wall, and why it is so important to take aggressive shots due to the lack of a back wall. To cap off the junior clinic, the juniors played a pick-up game with some of the finalists to practice the skills they had learned.
2022 Carl Hayden High School Singles Advisory Tournament (November)
Phoenix’s Carl Hayden High School hosted the 2022 Carl Hayden Singles Advisory 3-Wall Singles Tournament on the second week in November, featuring 12 of Carl Hayden’s best players in the second ranking event of the 2022/23 school year.
The 2022 Carl Hayden Singles Advisory Tournament event produced several tremendous one game to 11 matches, with the now #1 ranked Heriberto Medina winning his semifinal match 12-10 against Delfino Colin and his finals match 13-11 against Sebastian Verdugo. Medina has now won both of the fall 2022 Carl Hayden tournaments to secure the top spot at Carl Hayden.
“I had the great pleasure of volunteering at the WPH The Memorial Handball Tournament in Tucson,” stated JR WPH ambassador and Carl Hayden head handball coach Chris Hogan. “This year we have introduced the first ever Carl Hayden Handball Ranking, which will be posted after every tournament. I hope this will encourage more competition and participation in our great sport. I want to thank David Fink of the WPH for the suggestion and support and all of the teachers and organizations for their continued support of our program.”
Thank you to Coach Hogan for enthusiastically giving back and helping to grow the game.
Junior Singles at the 2022 R48 Icebreaker (December)
Coach Chris Hogan drove six juniors from Phoenix, AZ to the R48 Icebreaker at Tucson’s Clark Park. The junior players competed in a round robin singles bracket, while having the opportunity to watch the best players in the world on the adjacent Clark Park courts.
Carl Hayden’s number one player, Heriberto Medina, finished undefeated in the six-player round robin, with Chris Ruiz and Brian Castillo taking second and third, respectively. Medina has won several tournaments at Carl Hayden and won his first tournament outside of Phoenix at the R48 Icebreaker JR Singles.
“We are so grateful for coaches and ambassadors like Coach Chris who tirelessly promote and grow the game,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “We are so proud of Clark Park and we are thrilled to host junior players who we hope will be inspired to play our great game for many years.”
“The kids had a great time playing and watching and now want to transition from playing big ball to small ball after watching the pros,” stated Coach Hogan.
Thank you to Coach Chris Hogan for giving back and growing the game every day at Carl Hayden High School
JR WPH Highlighting Race 4 Eight Pros and Coaches Growing the Game
Coach Langmack Inspires at Missouri State University (April)
JR WPH Highlighting Race 4 Eight Pros Giving Back to the Game: Max Langmack
Race 4 Eight pro and JR WPH Coach Max Langmack made the three-hour drive from Olathe, KS to his alma mater, Missouri State University to work with the Missouri State handball class. The introductory class is taught by Coach Tommy Burnett’s daughter, Jeni Hopkins-Burnett, now the head coach of Missouri State Handball, and a MSU player, Christian Madsen. The former Missouri State All-American and now top 10 Race 4 Eight pro Langmack worked with the students on various types of serves and the purpose of those serves. Coach Max also covered the fundamentals of back walls.
“I love watching the improvement of everyone in the class,” stated Coach Madsen. “Some players could hardly hit the ball on day one, and now four weeks later they are rallying and having tons of fun. To see every student feeling successful and see themselves improving is such a joy. Hopefully they continue playing beyond the class and recognize it as a fun and challenging way to exercise, but just introducing people to the sport and making it fun is my focus.”
“I love the handball class because it is energizing to see new players learn the “perfect” game,” stated Coach Jeni Hopkins-Burnett. “It is also nice to see players that have played revisit their fundamentals and advance their skills. I am also honored to carry on the legacy of my father, Dr. Tommy Burnett. One of the main goals is to promote the game and expand exposure. The class is also a great recruiter! I hope students learn a new game, see the health benefits of playing a lifetime sport that is a great aerobic sport and a great cross training sport. My hope is also for them to develop determination skills to master this game…which we all know is not possible! Which is why it is so addicting to play!!”
Thank you to Coach Max for making the trip from Kansas to Springfield, MO to inspire Missouri State’s handball class. Thank you to Coaches Jeni Hopkins-Burnett and Christian Madsen for coaching the class and ensuring that Missouri State handball remains at the forefront of college handball.
San Jose YMCA Coaching Clinic/Play Day by Coach Mike Linnik (April)
The San Jose YMCA runs a “Youth Handball Program” every Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, typically recruiting kids from parents that exercise/play at the YMCA. On April 2nd, the San Jose YMCA handball coaches organized a “Coaching Clinic/Play Day” idea to reach out to kids outside the YMCA.
Jose Neri, father of 13-year-old Alex, gathered ~20 kids from outside the YMCA, from various parks and sporting events he attends with son Alex. The message was simple: learn a new sport, keep the equipment, watch some pros, and have free food! Combine them with 10 kids from our Youth class, and it got busy!
This was good advertising for the YMCA, to potentially bring in new members. There were also financial aid grants for non-members. The courts get utilized. Everyone wins. Just need to get the word out! Pamphlets, social media … nothing takes the place of face-to-face conversation and simply inviting parents to let their kids try handball.
The clinic was run by our Youth Handball Coaches: Tom Urquhart, Tom Fitzwater, Jose Neri, Brian Gillenater, and Mike Linnik. We handout equipment (thanks First Ace!), run a one-hour clinic from 10-11am. The youth have a pizza/sandwich lunch and watch the Pro action. After lunch there is a one hour “free time” where they practice what they learned, and just have fun playing ball with their new friends.
Pros Erik Torres, and top Open players Rene Lopez, Miguel Negrete, Joel Perez, and top Big Ballers Jay Sanchez & Carlos helped put on a display of power and fitness. Erik played Rene Lopez in an exhibition match, so it was a fun workout for the players. Pro Loren Collado came down to talk to kids and their parents about the game.
Coaches did simple, fun drills: first we run them around the courts and do short sprints to warm them up. Kids absolutely love to run around on a court. Some yoga followed (we didn’t call it that – it’s just “stretching”), then we begin throwing, overhand, sidearm, low sidearm. Then the fist shots … who can reach the ceiling? A little double bounce (ie. front court only) mixes it up to make it fun, then it doubles action. We allow 3-6 bounces … just get the ball to the front wall! Finally, the ever popular “Gatorade challenge”, where they line up and try to hit a Gatorade bottle. Winners get gift baskets of candy and chocolate. Every bottle hit becomes a huge photo-op for the parents and kids.
The parents in the gallery get to see what fun their kids are having, and how it helps their kids burn off their youthful energy. Coaches hand out forms to parents to join the next Youth Handball Class, and possibly think about membership as well.
Coach Mike Linnik
NorCal Handball
Fred Lewis Foundation Growing the Game
JR WPH Highlighting R48 Pro Abraham Montijo
The Fred Lewis Foundation has introduced the game to dozens of youngsters in Southern Arizona for nearly a decade, providing world-class instruction, handball equipment, weekly practices, and opportunities for the youngsters to compete in tournaments.
FLF Executive Director and top 12 Race 4 Eight pro Abraham Montijo heads the handball development in the Tucson-based handball training center, recruiting and coaching youngsters to develop a passion for the sport. “We practice twice a week, mostly 3-Wall at Clark Park,” stated Coach Montijo. “Our next out of town tournament will be the USHA Junior Three Wall Nationals in California in July, where we are hoping to take 12-18 kids to the event in Venice Beach. Currently about half of our current team has been playing for under a year.”
Thank you to Coach Montijo and all of the coaches and volunteers who make the FLF successful.
For more on the Fred Lewis Foundation, go HERE
To visit the FLF Facebook page, go HERE
JR WPH supports the Fred Lewis Foundation and other programs around the country that are growing the game and hopes that you will be inspired to start a group of juniors at your club.
Martin Mulkerrins Inspires at the 2022 Austin City Championships
JR WPH Highlighting Race 4 Eight Pros Giving Back to the Game: Martin Mulkerrins
Within weeks of relocating from Ireland to Texas to become the head handball coach at Texas A&M University, 2022 R48 Player’s Champion Martin Mulkerrins made the 100-mile drive west from College Station to the University of Texas in Austin to play the 2022 Austin City Championships at Gregory Gym.
Mulkerrins made time during the 2022 Austin City Championships to host an instructional clinic for more than a dozen college students, teaching the power serve, the underarm fist, and various strategies. “Handball is extremely fortunate to have Martin selflessly giving back to the game,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “Martin is not only one of the game’s greatest players, but he is also one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors, always willing to share his time and knowledge to anyone interested in learning. Martin has built courts in Africa, inspired countless players in Ireland, and will undoubtedly make a huge impact in Texas and throughout the U.S.”
Dylan Hernandez Inspires in SoCal
JR WPH Highlighting Race 4 Eight Pros Giving Back to the Game: Dylan Hernandez
Dylan Hernandez has established himself as one of the most promising young stars in handball, winning a WPH Icebreaker title in 2020 and finishing tenth at the 2022 R48 Player’s Championship en route to a top 20 R48 ranking. Not only is Dylan one of the sport’s rising stars, he also coaches a group of young handballers twice a week in Southern California, enthusiastically giving back to the game that means so much to him. Several of Dylan’s proteges competed in the 2022 USHA 3-Wall Junior Nationals in July in Los Angeles.
Dylan discusses his practice routine with his young players below.
“I have the kids start off by warming up. After that, the routine depends on the day. I might have the kids do drills. I have them do some basic hitting drills so I can critique their swings. I believe mechanics are necessary to hit the ball consistently hard and without hand errors. I will critique their swings and break down the fundamentals, just how a batting coach would for a baseball team. If we don’t do drills, I have the kids hop in the rotation with myself and the other pro players that train with me. If we play singles, I play them hard and ask them after the game what they could do better to improve, or I will give my own tips that they could work on. I play them hard purposely so they realize to keep working and to try to elevate their game to my level. If I play them easy then it’s easy for them to make shots and return shots without trying, and it keeps them in that comfortable state of mind. I want them thinking all the time that they have to play hard and give it their all. If I play them hard, they get used to playing at a faster pace and it makes them focus more because they know they can’t make mistakes.”
Thank you to Dylan for giving back and helping to grow the game.
Max Langmack Inspires at the R48LTE Portland Classic
JR WPH Highlighting Race 4 Eight Pros Giving Back to the Game: Max Langmack
After a full day of playing, interviewing, refereeing, sightseeing, and announcing on Saturday at the 2022 R48LTE Portland Classic, Max Langmack made time to introduce the game to several youngsters who watched handball for the first time. Max spent nearly an hour rallying with the youngsters, while teaching them the basic fundamentals of the sport. “Max loves handball as much as anyone and loves to spread his passion for the game to anyone who shows interest,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “The sport is very lucky to have Max involved.”
Thank you to Max for giving back and helping to grow the game.
Martin Mulkerrins Inspires at Utah State
JR WPH Highlighting Race 4 Eight Pros Giving Back to the Game: Martin Mulkerrins
(Coached and written by Martin Mulkerrins)
By the invitation of Utah State University Handball coaches Stacey Marble and Herm Olsen (2021 National Collegiate Handball Coach of the year), Martin Mulkerrins travelled to a snowy Logan, Utah to facilitate a handball clinic. Attendees at the clinic included students taking handball classes at the University, as well as current club players and coaches. The interactive clinic involved discussing fundamentals of the game of Handball, drills for improving performance and demonstrations. One specific request was for Martin to demonstrate the underhand fist shot to the ceiling!
“Universities and handball classes delivered by universities continue to have great potential to recruit and develop new players. Utah State University is a great example of this with Stacey Marble, Ryan Campbell, Danny Peterson and Xander Andreason all here today for the clinic and supporting the next generation of USU handballers. I look forward to seeing their progress when we meet in Tucson in February for the National Collegiate Championship” – Martin Mulkerrins.
After the clinic Martin played an exhibition match with 2022 Utah State Men’s Open Singles Champion and former USU student, Ryan Campbell. This gave everybody the opportunity to see what was discussed and demonstrated in the clinic. Following the exhibition Martin and all the students took to the courts for some matches to practice what they had learned.
“Having Martin come and teach the students (and the rest of us) was a great experience for all. To be able to continue to learn from the best and add things he talked about into our own teaching methods will be very helpful for the upcoming years. The kids all loved getting in the court to play with Martin and he is just as nice on the court as he is off the court” – Stacey Marble
In conclusion Herm Olsen highlights the benefits of having Pro players support collegiate programs:
“Martin Mulkerrins freely gave of his time, his techniques and his knowledge recently to the grateful and excited students of Utah State University. Martin is a class act all by himself, but when you throw in his remarkable teaching skill and gracious demeanor, you have a winning combination. We are so grateful that USU had the opportunity to host Martin, to learn from him, and to be enriched by his Handball style. As one of the truly best players in the world, it was a treat unrivaled for our students to watch, to listen to and to learn from this highly skilled emissary of World Handball. We hope he can return one day to see the fruits of his training. He is a classic example of why Handball is the greatest sport in the world, a sport for LIFE!”
Thank you to Martin for giving back and helping to grow the game.
JR WPH is extremely proud of all of our coaches and pro players who volunteer their time to grow our sport.
To enable Junior WPH to continue to host junior handball clinics and tournaments 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 Dr., 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