Highlighting JR WPH Clinics Coached by Race 4 Eight Pros and JR WPH Coaches Growing the Game
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 12/16/25
JR WPH proudly inspired hundreds of youngsters with junior clinics and tournaments throughout 2025 to provide opportunities for young people to build friendships, develop the competitive spirit, and develop a physically active lifestyle through handball. JR WPH spanned thousands of miles in 2025 to grow the game, with dozens of WPH pro players and coaches inspiring the next generation of players.
Check out all of the JR WPH’s 2025 initiatives below.
WPH Race 4 Eight and Outdoor Pro Alberto Pizano Inspires at Carl Hayden (January)
WPH Race 4 Eight and Outdoor Pro Alberto Pizano graciously spent the afternoon hosting a JR WPH Fun Day at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, demonstrating serves and swings and inspiring Coach Chris Hogan’s outstanding handball program on Carl Hayden High School’s 3-Wall courts.
“The kids were super excited and some of them were really good players,” Pizano would later say.
“The day with Alberto went really well,” exclaimed Coach Hogan. “The kids were impressed with some of Alberto’s moves and kill shots.”
Pizano is one of the sport’s most exciting stars, armed with not only incredible shots but also an unmatched charisma that inspires everyone who has a chance to watch and play him.
Thank you to Alberto and Coach Hogan for a great JR WPH clinic on the third Thursday in 2025.
Mulkerrins and Canales Coach a JR WPH Clinic at the 2025 George Lee, Written by Martin Mulkerrins (January)
Martin Mulkerrins and Leo Canales teamed up to deliver a JR WPH sponsored clinic for more than twenty participants at the 78th George Lee Invitational on the fourth weekend of 2025. There were several topics discussed and demonstrated, including a step-by-step approach to power serving, how to spin the ball, options for second serves, and drills to develop the non-dominant hand.
“I think this was one of the best clinics I have been a part of. I thought the co-facilitation approach with Leo worked really well. On top of that there was a great blend of experience amongst the participants, from new collegiate players playing a few months to master’s players with lifelong experience. I enjoyed the amount of very technical questions we received, especially how to execute natural and reverse spin serves” – Martin Mulkerrins
Tournament director Teresa Bowman said that the tournament was a “huge success and that players got to play plenty matches as well as having the opportunity to attend the clinic and socialize with friends. It was a bonus to be able to watch top quality Handball from the pros in the WPH Pre-Qualifier. We thank the WPH for their support and we hope to collaborate again next year”.
Tag Coolidge who was another driving force behind this event added that “a standing room only crowd of Handball enthusiasts were treated to an amazing three-game final match between top ranked WPH R48 players Martin Mulkerrins and Leo Canales Jr. Even more important than the tournament play is the commitment of the George Lee to the future of Handball. The 88-player field included more than 40 collegiate players of all skill levels who got to learn from the best through the clinic and watching matches”.
Thank you to Eilish Owens for photos from the tournament and clinic
JR WPH Clinic at the 2025 Juarez Race 4 Eight (February)
Race 4 Eight pros Max Langmack and Ivan Burgos led a one-hour JR WPH clinic with fifteen junior handballers before the 2025 R48 Juarez final, teaching the side arm stroke, back wall technique, and various games for prizes, to include lowest kill and target-hitting. “The clinic went great,” stated Burgos, who is a hero to virtually every aspiring handball player.
“Since the JR WPH was created, the JR WPH Juarez program has been one of the largest and most flourishing junior handball programs in North America, regularly boasting large junior handball teams and even players who have become Race 4 Eight pros,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “JR WPH is proud to continue to provide Juarez junior players the opportunity to be inspired by the game’s greatest players.”
Thank you to Max and Ivan for inspiring the next generation of players.
JR WPH Clinic and Round Robin Singles at the 2025 OR State Championships (March)
The 2025 Oregon State Championships was proud to host a JR WPH clinic and junior round robin singles on Saturday morning of the event, with JR WPH Coaches Jean Kastner and Che Lowenstein leading the clinic for the nine junior players between the ages of seven to fourteen.
Coaches Kastner and Lowenstein discussed and demonstrated basic handball strokes for the mostly first-time players, with the players practicing hitting with both hands and learning the rules following the instruction. The juniors were then grouped by age and played two round robin big ball singles tournaments with modified rules, including serving over a five-foot line on the front wall, playing two bounces, automatic side outs after five consecutive points, and three chances to hit the serve over the five-foot line.
“The kids had a great time,” boasted Jeff Kastner. “They were excited for more handball and they loved the prizes. After the event was done, most of them went to a back court and continued playing!”
Thank you to Coaches Kastner and Lowenstein for coaching the clinic. Thank you to Nick Flores, Matt Steele, Che Lowenstein, and Jean Kastner for organizing the clinic.
JR WPH Clinic at the 2025 Pete Tyson Classic R48LTE (April)
JR WPH was thrilled to host a clinic for thirty-five collegiate players from the University of Texas, Pacific University, Missouri State University, Texas A&M, and San Angelo State at the 2025 Pete Tyson Classic R48LTE, as WPH Race 4 Eight pros David Fink and Diarmuid Mulkerrins answered questions and demonstrated shots and strategies for more than an hour. The collegiate players were interested in different types of serves, court positioning, cross-training, optimizing contact, developing more power, returning the serve, developing a ceiling game, anticipation, and much more.
“The clinic was really great,” stated Pete Tyson Classic tournament director Noel Aguilar. “The players asked great questions and got a lot out of the clinic. There was a huge turnout too.”
“The clinic was a highlight of an outstanding event,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “The collegiate students bring an unmatched energy to all of the events they attend and their enthusiasm is contagious for all of the tournament players, including the pros.”
Race Stars Marcos Chavez & Jab Bike Lead JR WPH at the 2025 Jr. Vasquez (June)
Race 4 Eight legend and Digiflex owner (HERE) Marcos Chavez and Race 4 Eight top 12 pro and pro player representative Jab Bike coached a JR WPH clinic for fourteen youngsters at the 2025 Jr. Vasquez CA State Doubles Championships at Smith Park in San Gabriel, CA on the last weekend in June. The former SR48 #1 and pro player rep member focused on serving strategies and the opportunities for the youngsters to attend college through handball before the pair teamed to win the open doubles final at the 2025 Jr. Vasquez.
“The clinic was really good,” stated Bike. “We worked on some strategies for serving and some mechanics. We also talked about the opportunity that can come with continuing to play handball in high school and college and that there are opportunities to get scholarships to play handball in college if they stick with it. We played some king of the court as well, where we played with them. It got pretty competitive, which is super fun. Thank you to Tom Martinez for setting up the clinic and giving me and Marcos the chance to work with this group.”
Thank you to Marcos for inspiring the next generation of players at the 2025 Jr. Vasquez.
JR WPH Clinic at the La Grange Icebreaker (July)
JR WPH was proud to work with Tony Clarke’s junior handball group at the 2025 La Grange Icebreaker, hosting sixteen kids during the Sunday morning Icebreaker clinic. WPH Master Instructor David Fink discussed the fundamentals of the sidearm stroke, most importantly turning sideways and letting the ball drop. The juniors were also taught the sidearm serve and the overhand drive. After each stroke was discussed, the juniors had a chance to practice what they were being taught. “This was an outstanding clinic and definitely the highlight of an outstanding event,” stated the WPH’s Fink. “Huge thanks to Coach Clarke for all he is doing in La Grange to grow the game. We hope to be back next year for another clinic and to see the growth of the La Grange juniors.”
JR WPH at the 2025 Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp (June & July)
JR WPH proudly coached weekly junior handball clinics at the 2025 Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp in June and July, emphasizing dexterity, hand-eye 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 they would have likely not experienced.
The WPH’s David Fink led the youngsters through progressions that started with throwing the ball, catching the ball, drop-hitting, serving, and eventually playing king of the court with unlimited bounces.
“Handball is an incredibly challenging sport to learn, especially for youngsters,” stated WPH Master Instructor David Fink. “JR WPH aims 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. Initially, many of the kids could not hit the ball, but after a few sessions, many were able to hit the ball with their right and left hands and rally.”
JR WPH has introduced handball to hundreds of youngsters at the Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp since 2013.
Jab and Vic Coach the JR WPH Clinic at the 2025 Baby Doll (August)
Just before teaming to win the pro doubles at the 2025 Baby Doll at the Los Caballeros Sports Village in Fountain Valley, CA, Race 4 Eight pros Jab Bike and Vic Perez coached a JR WPH clinic for ten Southern California junior players, teaching various warm-up exercises, footwork, and back wall drills.
“The clinic was fun,” stated Race 4 Eight pro player rep and WPH JR WPH Coach Jab Bike. “We went over some warm-up drills, like throwing the ball with both hands and having your feet set up in the right position. Then we worked on some back wall progression drills. The kids had a singles and doubles tourney after the clinic. It looked like it was a really fun time.”
Thank you to Race 4 Eight pro player rep Jab and the LAFD’s Vic Perez for volunteering their time and expertise to selflessly grow the game.
Thank you to tournament director Ralph Fregoso for an outstanding Baby Doll event and for growing the game in Southern California.
JR WPH Singles at the 2025 Ice Bowl (August)
JR WPH proudly hosted the 2025 Ice Bowl JR WPH singles, featuring Fred Lewis Foundation players from Tucson, as well as players from Phoenix. Misael Aquino Estrella emerged as the 2025 JR WPH Ice Bowl champion, demonstrating impressive skills for a teenager. The juniors played multiple matches throughout the event, while having the opportunity to watch the best 3-Wall small ball and big ball players in the world.
“Seeing the juniors competing and watching the pros at our events is inspiring,” stated the WPH’s David Fink.
Thank you to Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director and Head Coach Abraham Montijo for growing the game.
JR WPH King of the Court at the 2025 Abierto Mexicano de Handball & R48 Pre Qualifier (September)
Race 4 Eight pros Danos Cordova, Martin Mulkerrins, and John Chapman played “King of the Court” big ball singles with nearly a dozen Juarez juniors throughout weekend during the 2025 Abierto Mexicano de Handball & R48 Pre Qualifier on the first weekend of September, proving an opportunity for the young players to play points against the game’s greatest names. What a thrill for the aspiring Juarez youngsters!
“We (the pros) were on the courts playing with the kids as courts became available on multiple occasions over the weekend,” stated Race 4 Eight all-time great Martin Mulkerrins. “The amount of juniors was really great to see and they are doing a great job at coaching them!”
Thank you to Juarez patriarch Luis Cordova, Sr. for leading the junior program in Juarez. Thank you to the pros for spending time with the juniors throughout the event.
JR WPH Clinic at the Fall 2025 Aggieland Classic (October)
14-time Race 4 Eight champion Martin Mulkerrins graciously hosted a JR WPH clinic and skills competition during the event.
From Martin Mulkerrins:
“Participants (from the Fall 2025 Aggieland Classic) also had the opportunity to attend a clinic on Saturday with Texas A&M Coach, Martin Mulkerrins and Angelo State University Coach, Diarmuid Mulkerrins. While many clinics around the state over the past year have focused on serving, spin serves and the backwall shot, this weekend’s clinic focused more on defensive aspects of the game. Firstly, the use of the fist shot to the ceiling, how to execute and practice it were discussed and demonstrated. A number of participants took the opportunity to try this during the clinic and get feedback. The second part of the clinic brought participants through different strategies and drills to improve their non-dominant over-hand shot to the ceiling!”
JR WPH Clinic at the 2025 Portland Classic (October)
WPH Master Instructor David Fink hosted a JR WPH clinic with Pacific University’s coach Karissa Komo and several Pacific University players and aspiring juniors from Oregon at the 2025 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic at the Multnomah Athletic Club.
Coach Fink taught the fundamentals of the sidearm stroke, followed by sidearm kill and sidearm serve technique. Fink then demonstrated the overhand to the ceiling and fist to the ceiling shots, followed by the back wall technique.
Following the instructional, the youngsters played King of the Court, putting their new knowledge in play.
“I learned so much in the clinic and it is going to be very helpful when I am working with my players,” Komo would say. “We have players that I don’t really know how to coach and now I know what I can teach them. I really appreciate (the WPH) taking the time.”
“My kids had such a great time in the clinic that I could not get them off the court for the rest of the weekend,” stated the dad of one of the players. “We have a court in our neighborhood and the kids want to play every day now.”
Thank you to Pacific University and all of their efforts to grow the game. Thank you to Portland Classic tournament director Conor Casey and the MAC for their efforts to grow the game.
October Classic at Carl Hayden High School (October)
JR WPH was proud to provide prizes and equipment for the October 3-Wall Classic at Carl Hayden High School, featuring 15 junior players and nine local open players on the last Saturday in October. The 24 players started in one division, with the players losing in the main draw dropping into the consolation.
The conclusion of the eight-hour, one-day event featured a mixed doubles event with a junior player pairing with a local open player.
“Saturday was a glorious day to play handball,” stated Coach Hogan. “Our courts were “blessed” by local Council Woman, Laura Pastor, District 4, and our Principal, Dr. Rubio. Mrs. Pastor spoke to all participates about the important relationship between Handball and life.”
Thank you to Carl Hayden Head Coach Chris Hogan for continuing to grow the game in Phoenix.
JR WPH Singles at the Memorial (November)
JR WPH proudly hosted the JR WPH Singles at the Memorial, with each junior player competing in five matches throughout the day on Saturday. Juniors from Arizona and Mexico enjoyed the competition, making new friends, and having a chance to watch and meet the game’s best players.
Huge thank you to Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director and Coach Abraham Montijo for helping with the junior bracket.
2025 Acuerdate De Mi Junior 3-Wall Tournament (November)
Tournament directors Samuel Reyes and Peter Ulloa were proud to present the Acuerdate De Mi (Remember Me) Junior 3-Wall Tournament at Tolleson High School on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. JR WPH was proud to sponsor the event with WPH shirts and hats.
Ten junior players from the Phoenix area competed at the Acuerdate, with the juniors playing multiple matches and competing for first, second, and third.
“It was a successful turnout for the junior players,” stated Reyes.
Thank you to tournament directors Samuel Reyes and Peter Ulloa for an outstanding event highlighting the Tolleson handball community and Phoenix’s junior handball players. The Tolleson handball group is one of the most supportive and vibrant handball communities in the country. Thank you to all of the Tolleson handball players and volunteers.
Thank you to Carl Hayden High School handball coach and WPH ambassador Chris Hogan for continuing to inspire junior players.
Danos Coaches the University of Texas Handball Team (August through December)
JR WPH is proud to support Race 4 Eight superstar Danos Cordova as the head coach for the University of Texas collegiate handball team at Gregory Gym in Austin, TX. Coach Danos leads weekly clinics for the UT players on the historic handball team made famous by hall of fame coach Pete Tyson and UT hall of fame players John Bike, Jr. and LeaAnn Martin.
The UT players are being taught the game by one of handball’s most winning players of the 21st century, armed with the most dangerous hop and an all-around game that has seen Coach Danos capture Race 4 Eight and Icebreaker titles.
“I’ve been teaching the players a lot of mechanics,” stated Coach Danos. “I’m able to spend some time individually with each player and show each player the proper form and footwork. We’ve also covered warmup, back wall, fly kills, serve mechanics, fist to the ceiling, and disguising the serve.”
Thank you to Coach Danos for maintaining and growing the storied handball tradition at the University of Texas.
Thank you to the WPH board of directors, sponsors and donors for providing JR WPH with the resources and donations to inspire youngsters in 2025. Thank you to all of the Race 4 Eight and WPH Outdoor pros for inspiring the next generation of players by setting an example on an off the court.
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 Development Director