The World Players of Handball is thrilled to announce our partnership with New York City’s Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program. Harry Mellis’ Program’s Director and WPH Coach Danielle Daskalakis leads a group of more than 35 passionate junior handball players in twice-weekly handball clinics at New York City’s Westside YMCA, teaching the fundamentals of the game, while emphasizing teamwork, independence, leadership, discipline, embracing diversity and developing a physically active lifestyle through handball.
The World Players of Handball Foundation enthusiastically approved a grant for the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program to provide the opportunities for more weekly junior clinics, junior handball equipment and tournament expenses.
“Coach Daskalakis is one of handball’s greatest all-around players, role models and most highly respected coaches and she shares her passion for the sport of handball in inspiring the next generation of players at the Harry Mellis Program,” stated WPH Development Director David Fink. “The World Players of Handball is incredibly proud to be partnering with Ms. Daskalakis and the outstanding Harry Mellis junior handball program at New York City’s Westside YMCA.”
“This is a great effort and collaboration with the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis program and the WPH,” stated Westside YMCA Harry Mellis program assistant coach Jenny Florabell Lee. “Thank you to Danielle for her continued work in handball initiatives.”
“The Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program promotes diversity and togetherness and is so much fun to be a part of,” stated Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program player Karen Avila. “Thank you to Danielle to for all of her hard work in growing the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis program and to the WPH for their support in developing and furthering the handball careers of all of the players in the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program.”
“The collaboration between the WPH and the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program is a great one,” stated the 21st century’s greatest all around handball star Tracy Davis. “Danielle is coordinating and working towards growing the next generation of handballers, especially women. Danielle is an excellent athlete an role model.”
The Harry Mellis Program recently participated in the 60th Annual USHA Junior 4-Wall Nationals in Chicago at the end of 2015. The Harry Mellis team enjoyed a tremendous event, as each of the Harry Mellis team members played multiple matches and enjoyed competing against junior players from across the U.S., Canada and Ireland. The Harry Mellis Program dominated the Boy’s and Girl’s 19-and-under Big Ball Singles, with Steven Woo wining the Boy’s bracket and Michelle He winning the Girl’s bracket. Congratulations!
Stay tuned to juniorhandball.org for updates on the Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program and all of the other Junior WPH sponsored teams and clinics. The Westside YMCA Harry Mellis Program will attend the WPH Race 4 Eight V NYAC Invitational March 11th-13th, 2016 and will enjoy great seats to the Race 4 Eight action and a special clinic with Race 4 Eight pros.
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 and supporting programs like the WPH sponsored Harry Mellis Program. 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.
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David Fink
WPH Senior Writer