THE 2016/17 SCHEDULE & ESPN NEWS- We made our first announcement of the R48Pro Tour and debuted a full schedule of events back in January of ’16, but that’s not gonna stop us from re-posting a good thing. So, what’s new?
WPH will be bringing season six, of the popular Race4Eight Professional Handball Tour, back to ESPN in 2016/17. This time, the Network and World Players of Handball Foundation aim to increase viewership while signing a potential multi-year deal. Early talks have ESPN planning eight televised handball matches per year through 2020. “We do not get paid by ESPN to be on their network,” says WPH Executive, Dave Vincent. “We are instead given opportunities to promote the sport while finding creative ways to tackle the extreme costs associated with filming and broadcasting.”
The WPH will continue to run the professional tour, now entering it’s sixth season, with just one goal, says Vincent, “We need to inspire juniors, young adults and lifestyle athletes seeking a fun, safe, friendly and competitive alternative and we need to do it while staying financially stable.” WPH Tour will begin in October ’16 at the Simple Green US Open and continue thru the Player’s Championship in April of 2017.
Editor’s Note: ESPN’s coverage of handball for the new contractual season began in September of 2016 with the Vegas 3 WallBall Outdoor World Championships @ the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.
WPH Needs your support; whether that is a financial contribution (WPH is a 501c3 Non-Profit Tax Exempt Foundation), membership purchase or professional service. You can help financially at www.thehandballstore.com or by sending your gift to:
WPH
3561 E Sunrise Drive #125
Tucson, AZ, 85718
Additionally, the WPH will advertise your business in 2016/17 as you show support for the sport of handball and WPH efforts; all at reduced costs.
“The best part about the tour is the total combined effort to put Junior WPH alongside the pros while promoting the sport from the grassroots level all the way up to massive audiences,” says Vincent. “Each stop has a junior~pro clinic, training sessions and mentoring programs. It’s quite impressive.”
ESPN3 and WPHLiveTV look to seal the deal with a written contract by early Sept. More details to come.
Please Share and keep following WPHLive.TV on their homepage, Junior WPH at www.jrwph.org, on-demand member’s only HD Videos by following the tabs at wphlive.tv; featured specials & interviews, plus YouTube videos @www.youtube.com/
2016/17 Race Schedule, by ESPN
Rankings Page>
Code of Conduct & Rules>
Race Schedule for 2016/17>
Stop #1 October 20-23, 2016 – Fountain Valley, CA – Simple Green US Open & WPH Race4Eight 4 Wall Pro Tour Season Six Stop #1 (Women’s Elite, 40+ Senior & Elite Men – Open Event w/player caps), by ESPN3 – Los Caballeros Sports Village ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/MHHKDM)
Stop #2 November 18-20, 2016- Minneapolis, MN – U of M Fall Classic & WPH Race4Eight 4 Wall Pro Tour Season Six Stop #2 (40+ Senior, Qualifier & Elite Men), by ESPN3 – University of Minnesota Recreation Center ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/NS6Dbh)
Stop #3 January 20-22, 2017 – Coeur d’Alene, ID – Plummer Family Helluva Handball Bash 8 @ WPH Race4Eight 4 Wall Pro Tour Season Six Stop #3 (Elite Men Open Event w/player caps), non- filmed event – Peak Health and Wellness Athletic Club ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/rAF9NT)
Stop #4 February 17-19, 2017 – New Orleans, LA – Mardi Gras Open & WPH Race4Eight 4 Wall Pro Tour Season Six Stop #4 (Elite Men & Qualifier), by ESPN3 – Oschner Fitness Center Harahan, LA (formerly Elmwood Fitness Center) ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/fvcp5A)
Stop #5 March 3-5, 2017 – Houston, TX – Texas State Doubles Honoring Rodeo Month & WPH Race4Eight 4 Wall Pro Tour Season Six Stop #5 (Elite Men & Qualifier), by ESPN3 – Tellespen Family YMCA ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/Rjqb0P)
Stop #6 March 23-26, 2017 – New York, NY – 46th NYAC Burt Kossoff Invitational & WPH Race4Eight 4 Wall Pro Tour Season Six Stop #1 (Women’s Elite, Qualifier & Elite Men – Open Event w/player caps), by ESPN3 – New York Athletic Club ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/QMFALS)
Stop #7 April 21-23, 2017 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces Doubles with Pro/Am & WPH Player’s Championship Season Finale Season Six of the 4 Wall Pro Handball Tour Stop #6 (Women’s Elite, 40+ Senior, Qualifier, Elite Men), by ESPN3 – Sports Mall ENTRY> (https://goo.gl/3Yj23b)
