Alive and Kicking
by Fran Davis
“Building your Racquetball Dream House”
I just arrived home from the National Singles Championships in Houston, TX where 101 women from around the country competed in this event…up 100% from 2 years ago.
I am very excited to hear and see what is going on for women in the sport of racquetball. Please let me share with you several things that are happening that I believe proves “Women’s Racquetball is Alive and Kicking”.
2-In Houston this year at The National Singles Championships 2 very prominent women’s events were held: a) A Women’s Reception was held on Thursday evening with Malia Bailey, Linda Mojer, Lorraine Galloway, Cheryl Kirk, just to name a few women that were present. b) A Women’s Only clinic was conducted on Saturday morning by Rhonda Rajsich, Kerri Wachtel and Brenda Kyzer and was VERY well attended.
3-WPRO – Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization -
During the 2006-07 season they had 14 total stops (11 Tier 1 or higher and 3 satellites).
For the 2007-08 season they have 15 total stops (12 T1s and 3 satellites) on the schedule so far.
For the first time in 7 years, the ladies will receive a raise with T1s going from $8K to $10K and Grand Slams from $15K to $20K next season.
At every WPRO stop they have at least one free clinic at every event conducted by a top WPRO player.
This tour is finally giving girls and young women an opportunity to have a professional career in women’s racquetball.
4-“Racquet for the Cure” is a tournament series held nationwide that raises awareness for breast cancer…it raised over $90,000.
5-The Women’s National Seniors Championships (35+) is held EVERY year in different parts of the country and this year it was held in Orlando, FL with over 200 women playing.
7-The Junior Nationals Championships has girls divisions ranging from 6 & under to 18 & under.
8-High School Nationals and Intercolliegate Championships are held every year to crown a new champion both for men and women.
9-National Doubles Championships are held every year and they offer all of the Women’s Age Groups and Skill Levels as well as a US Team Qualifier.
10-IRF World Seniors Championships held in Albuquerque, NM, which offers all women’s divisions.
11-Women’s Only Camp with Fran Davis and Christie Van Hees in Seattle, WA May 18-20, 2007 (First Annual)….there were 12 VERY enthusiastic women from CA, OR and WA who attended with varying skill levels from Women’s C to Open. If you are interested in next years Women's ONLY Racquetball Camp please forward me your e-mail address and phone #'s and I will put you on our mailing list.
I think without a question of a doubt “Women’s Racquetball is Alive and Kicking”.
I invite you to come and participate in one or many of the events listed above as RB4Life is committed to promoting Women’s Racquetball, as it is a sport 4 life.
Use On-Line Discount Code...USARacquetball - V (for $5 off video) and USARacquetball - C (for $25 off camps)
RB 4 Life
... Fran Davis
“Building your Racquetball Dream House”
The name says it all…”RB 4 Life”. I am a firm believer racquetball is a sport you can play for your entire life.
USA Racquetball, the sports governing body, has National events that substantiate this very statement:
Jr. Nationals…6 & under to 18 & under
Adult Nationals…24 & under to 80 & under
Senior Worlds…35+
National Masters…45+
As you can see from the above, all ages from youths to teens to seniors to masters to adults play racquetball to have fun and stay in shape…all at the same time.
Why has racquetball caught on so much amongst all ages? Racquetball is fun and you can burn up to 600 calories playing racquetball. The social aspect of racquetball created by leagues, round robins, tournaments and etc. keeps us competitive and coming back week after week.
My philosophy as one the premier coaches in the game today…2004 Hall of Fame…is to “Play Smarter NOT Harder”. I have been teaching / coaching for over 25 years to all levels of players from professionals to elite to amateur athletes and I encourage and believe in “Playing the Percentages”.
On my website FranDavisRacquetball.com, I talk about the K.I.S.S. method of racquetball…Keep It Simple, but S.M.A.R.T! I firmly believe that if you play smart and use your head coupled with your body you will be able to have the opportunity to play RB4Life. Too many players play racquetball from the neck down and just bang the ball and use their athleticism as a necessity to get to the ball which is tougher on the body. I encourage and teach learning to play racquetball from the neck down coupled with from the neck up using your athleticism as an asset not a necessity…an extreme advantage and bonus and easier on the body.
One of my prize students, Jason Mannino, 2003 #1 Professional Player in the World, 1999 & 2006 US Open Champion and to date the #2 Professional Player in the World lives and dies by this philosophy. Jason not only plays this way, but advocates this when he is teaching at our camps. Not only will this make you a better player it will allow you to play for as long as you would like to play…RB4Life.
S.M.A.R.T. Racquetball is the key to longevity…it stands for:
S…skills
M…mental
A…aerobic
R…relaxation
T…training
The above philosophy is the healthy combination of ALL these areas added together to allow you the opportunity to play RB4Life.
On this website, on my website (www.FranDavisRacquetball.com), at my camps, in my video I will continuously support this way of thinking. There are no short cuts; there are no pills; there is no magic to play RB4Life. Racquetball is a sport that can be played for life, but your approach to the game should be a step by step approach on building your game from the ground up. Three years ago I came up with the concept of “Building Your Racquetball Dream House” and at my camps and in my video I use this metaphor. If you know anything about building a house your foundation is #1, your frame is #2, your roof is #3 and the accessories like windows/doors/etc is #4. If you approach your racquetball game in the same manner you will build that solid racquetball dream house that you’ve have always wanted.
I am here today and I will be here on a regular basis to help you achieve your goal of playing RB4Life….which is my goal TOO! Together I think we can accomplish that goal. I will continuously give you the knowledge of playing smarter and hopefully you will continually put it to good use and together we can play RB4Life.
Stay tuned…the BEST is yet to come.
Editor’s note: Go to www.FranDavisRacquetball.com for details on Fran’s philosophy, credentials, camp schedule, video and much much more.
