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Director’s Message
The
last Director’s message was written after the IHRSA Convention in San
Diego. Since that time, I have received a number of positive responses
as well as inquiries about future opportunities for Racquetball at IHRSA.
Many have offered to assist in working at the Show in San Francisco, the
site of the 2009 Convention. Other noteworthy news:
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The
‘new’ portable court was inaugurated at the Pro Nationals outside of
Chicago in April. Feedback from the field has been extremely positive.
IRT Commissioner and AmPRO Clinician, David Negrete is ecstatic over
the success of the court, and anticipates the upcoming events in Denver
and Memphis this year when the court will be showcased again. |
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The
original ‘portable court’ will hopefully be going to Taipeh for use at
the World Games in the summer of 2009. Racquetball and Squash will be
played side by side in the same venue. Sixteen men and women will
qualify for the 2009 event at this year’s IRF World Racquetball
Championships, to be held August 1-9 in Dun A Ri, Ireland. |
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The
first five months of 2008 will have included ten IPRO Instructor
Certification Courses. |
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Osvaldo Maggi is conducting a Level 1 Referee Certification Course in
Sucre, Bolivia for the Bolivian Racquetball Federation (Febora). Sucre
will also be the host of the Juegos Bolivarianos in 2009. |
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The
AmPRO Instructor Manual is being revised to include updated materials,
additional sections, and a more efficient format. In the interim, we
have available on file the ongoing ‘revised’ chapters. Please send an
email request if you wish to receive the file. Only current members of
AmPRO-IPRO are eligible. Many Thanks to Diane Chappel for her labor
of Love. |
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We
are still planning a Level II-III Coaches Certification Camp. The first
choice is in Puerto Rico. Plans are underway there to construct new
courts at a University where the next Central American and Caribbean
Games will be held. Dates for the Camp are tentatively set for
October, prior to the US Open Championships. |
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The
3rd IRF World Senior Doubles are set for June 11-14 at the La Loma Club
Deportiva
in San
Luis Potosi, Mexico.
The
Deadline is June 1st. Currently players from Mexico, Guatemala,
Colombia, and the USA are registered to play. |
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The
National Masters Racquetball Association International Championships is
set for West Allis, Wisconsin, July 16-19. |
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The
20th IRF World Senior Racquetball Championships is set for
Albuquerque, New Mexico August 26-30. |
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A
combination Level 1-2 Coaching, Instructor, and Officiating Course was
held in
Puerto
La Cruz, Venezuela earlier this month. Nine
members of their National Federation participated over the four days.
Thank you to Federation President, Cesar Castro, for making the course
a reality and for providing wonderful hospitality. |
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Congratulations to Aaron Embry, newly appointed AmPRO-IPRO Clinician,
for winning the US National Paddleball Singles Championships in San
Diego, at the Sorrento Valley Racquet and Health Club, in March of this
year. |
QUOTE OF
THE MONTH…..”Place yourself in a position to win every day”
Gary Mazaroff
Director
From the Field
by
Phil Wheeler
There is an
increase in interest in the sport of Racquetball in Virginia, particularly
in the central and southern parts of the state. This interest is
demonstrated by several factors including: an increase in the number of
clinics being offered, an increase in registrations for the clinics,
additional courts being constructed, an increase in the number of
tournaments being offered, and an upswing in the number of participants per
tournament.
The YMCA in Roanoke has been offering clinics for adults on Thursday
evenings. Clinic size was capped
at
four participants. However, nine people wanted the “Introduction
to Racquetball” Clinic, so an additional session had to be added. The
demand for racquetball court time by members of the YMCA will
require an additional court at that facility. Construction on the new
court will begin in the fall of 2008.
The newly
opened YMCA at Smith Mountain Lake is offering racquetball clinics. The
‘Introduction”
clinics have filled quickly. These one session offerings have sparked the
creation of two, four-hour clinics;
and
each reached capacity in one day.
Jerry
Watson of the Lynchburg YMCA, reports that they offered a racquetball
clinic. Their expectation was to attract five students, and they were
pleasantly surprised when twenty showed up to learn new skills.
The
Richmond and Roanoke Y’s, and the Sport and Health Club in
Arlington, all have returned to the
tournament scene after a long absence. Twenty ‘sanctioned’
tournaments will be held in Virginia this season. The CVRA (Virginia State
Association) also offers a special series called the “CVRA/Ektelon
Championship Series”.
Participation in these events has increased up to
30% from two years ago.
Yes,
racquetball is alive and growing in Virginia!!! |
