IPRO Director’s Message March, 2023

Things usually happen for a reason! Change is not easy! It will all turn out! These cliches are often abused; yet, with regards to this organization, let us believe! Beginning year twenty-six under the current administration, our pulse is that we must move forward to assure a legacy. The International Racquetball Federation has been around since 1981. It has over 80 national federations under its umbrella. It makes sense to use it as the vehicle for a top-down relationship; while creating an operative model of bottom-up. A contradiction? Not really.

The AmPro model was developed with the intent on being a global entity. The same evolved with USA Racquetball. While it housed and operated the IRF for many years, it became the default international body. With common sense and diligence, there was a separation. The IRF now is administered from Colorado Springs and from Argentina. At this point it makes sense to separate the International (IPRO) from the national (AmPro). AmPro will continue to be one prong of over 40 organizations in countries which have racquetball activity. USA-IP also is an integral part of the USA endeavor for racquetball certification.

Since 1998 AmPro-IPRO has certified instructors-coaches-officials-programmers across the globe. While early on most activity was in the USA, recently this trend has reversed. Growth in the sport currently is in Latin America; therefore, most certifications are headed in that direction. The court sports can thrive where there is energy—in the name of promotions and relationships. The USA has struggled for the past two decades because of transitory leadership; with clubs, manufacturers, colleges & universities, and other entities. A significant void exists with the IHRSA and NIRSA contingency. They represent athletic clubs, Y’s, and educational institutions throughout the USA and abroad. It has been almost twenty years since racquetball and other court disciplines have had a presence with these organizations. There are incredible exposure opportunities which have gone by the wayside. Our motivation is to bring them back.

With the assistance of Woody Clouse, Larry Haemmerle and selected delegates, we are determined to grow IPRO incrementally in the four different prongs mentioned above. Clinicians who have a passion and want to share in the growth will provide assistance. We will also be placing the IRF website alongside ours (globalracquetball.com) to help market our new journey. Stay tuned!

Gary

UPCOMING

March Site tbd; Chicago, Illinois

Level 1 IPRO Instructor Certification; David Negrete

Central Deportivo de Racquetball; Guatemala City

Level 2-3 Officiating Certification; Gustavo Farell

April Club Hondureno Arabe; San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Level 1 IPRO Instructor Certification; Roberto Nasser

July Site tbd; Denver, Colorado

Level 1-3 IPRO Instructor Certification; Woody Clouse

October Pan Am Complejo de Racquetball; Santiago de Chile

Level 2-3 Officiating Certification; Gary Mazaroff