Just two weeks after the Race 4 Eight IV Stop #1 and Women’s Race 4 Eight II Stop #1, the R48 and SR48 returns to the home of the World Players of Handball in Tucson, AZ. The event is a no-entry fee event, with all players being asked to make a donation to Junior WPH to participate in the event. Small ball and big ball events will be offered, as well as age division events. All of the action will be covered live on Watch ESPN on Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/)
“This event is very special and very important to us,” revealed WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “This is a home game for us, as we will be hosting all of the best players on the R48 and SR48 tours at our home club. Tucson missed out on last year’s Race schedule and our handball community is very excited to be back on the schedule.”
Paul Brady, Luis Moreno, Emmett Peixoto, Mando Ortiz, David Fink, Marcos Chavez, Sean Lenning, and Anthony Selestow have accepted their Elite 8 invites to Tucson and the R48 stars will aim to earn points on their respective marches towards Salt Lake City and the WPH Player’s Championship in April of 2015. The R48 stars will have to contend with a very strong contingent of local players and big ball cross over stars. Tucson arguably boasts the best collection of local pro qualifier talent in the country and those unknown stars could very knock off a top name. Cross over stars Samzon Hernandez, Shorty Ruiz, Sal Duenas, and Timbo Gonzalez could also do serious damage in the draw, as their big ball games have proven to create havoc against traditional small ballers.
The Senior Race 4 Eight III kicks off in Tucson with several of the top names in the sport aiming to prove that 40+ is just a number. Naty Alvarado Jr. has said he will focus on the SR48 after his fourth place finish at the Simple Green U.S. Open. “El Tigre” will contend with the likes of Chris Watkins, Bear Meiring, Andy Schad, and Dan Armijo, to name just a few, as each will be in search of the first SR48 title of the SR48 III season.
Not only does the Tucson Junior WPH Benefit and WPH R48 Pro #2, Powered by ESPN and EDTL Handball feature the best pros and senior pros in the game, but also junior and adult clinics throughout the weekend.
“We have an incredibly strong junior handball community in Tucson and we are proud to always provide opportunities for the youngsters to be around and learn from the pros,” revealed Vincent. “We will also offer a special adult clinic for older players to learn the tricks of the trade from the world’s best.”
To register for the Tucson R48 IV Stop go to: http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=13037. If you are interested in making a donation to support the growth of the game, please contact WPH Development Director David Fink and fink@race4eight.com.
Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook, log onto wphlive.tv or follow the WPH on Twitter @dfwph and @wphlive for all of the handball news from on and off the court! The World Players of Handball is a non-profit foundation aiming to grow the game of handball through innovation and inspiring the next generation of players through junior clinics with certified WPH coaches, junior tournaments and the Race 4 Eight tour.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today and supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line at www.thehandballstore.com, send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer