IPRO Director’s Message September, 2024

The IRF World Championships were held 23-31 August in the USA for the first time since 1996: 

…The venue was the five-court Thousand Oaks Family YMCA in San Antonio, Texas.

…Nineteen countries over five continents were present; the largest draw since Phoenix in 1996.

…The LOC, headed by Sandy Rios, did an extraordinary job of putting together the presentation.

…Having the event in the USA was an arduous process; yet, worthwhile for racquetball in general.

…The Pan Am Sports streaming audience viewed in record numbers for the eight days of competition.

Over 43,000 viewers captured the match between Team Ireland and Team Japan.

…Congratulations to Teams Mexico, USA, and Canada; for gold, silver, & bronze in team competition.

…Daniel DeLaRosa & Jake Bredenbeck (both USA) met each other in the individual mens singles

final; Daniel prevailing in four games. The last time it happened (2010), Huczek vs Carson.

…SURPRISES---Bolivia, as one of the favorites; did not perform up to expectations. Women (Bronze).

 Eritrea earned Africa’s first-ever medal. Woody Clouse over Ramon DeLeon for gold in Elite Singles.

USA Racquetball, the LOC, and IRF should be proud of their efforts. The decision to bring the Worlds back to the USA should pay dividends. Back in 2000, the National Governing Body for Racquetball Mexico made a concerted effort to grow the sport through junior development. That decision launched Mexico into the top tier of countries competitively for men, women, and juniors. Other countries started to model this stance; examples being Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. More recently San Antonio and Pleasanton, California have developed and have grown strong junior racquetball programs. USA Racquetball and others should use them as models to spark more development.

Upcoming

September 21-22 Level 1 Instructor Certification; Managua, Nicaragua   Fabian Torres

September 21-22   Level 1 Instructor Certification; LaPaz, Bolivia    Rogelio Medina

October (tba) Level 1 Instructor Certification; Tarija, Bolivia Manuel Flores

December 7  Level 1-3 Offic. Course; Central Deportiva, Guat City, GUA Gustavo Farell

April 12-19  Level 1-3 Officiating Course; Complejo Publico, Tarija, BOL Gary Mazaroff

Quote of the Month

‘All you need in this life is ignorance & confidence; then success is sure.’ 

Mark Twain