The recent discovery of a pair of one-wall courts in Savannah, Georgia in late 2011 prompted a series of events to promote the game of outdoor racquetball in the region. The subsequent formation of Savannah Outdoor Racquetball which joined the efforts of WOR and MRF to unite players around the sport gave rise to a series of Saturday tournaments at Lake Mayer Community Park.

The January debut event played host to participants from Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina. This one day shootout successfully united local players with others from the Southeast on the court. We hope to continue to gather interest locally. All events benefit the Military Racquetball Federation, which assists Wounded Warriors thru Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (RRC).

It has been almost a year ago since MRF was at Fort Jackson, Columbia SC conducting a RRC (Rehabilitation Racquetball Clinic) for the Army's Wounded Warriors Regiment. This past weekend (19th and 20th of January), we had the opportunity to go back to Fort Jackson to host another two-day racquetball demonstration for a new regiment of Wounded Warriors.

This time, we were able to gain a lot more support thanks to several faculty-members there on post. MRF owes a big Thanks to MAJ K. Troy (Commander of the WTU – WOUNDED WARRIOR TRANSISTION UNIT), SSG Vaughan - Adaptive Sports, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the WTU, and Ms. Coretta Bradley, Program Manager - Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), and to our sponsors RacquetWorld, Ektelon, and E-Force. On Thursday (19JAN), we briefed our intent to start several 8-week Rehabilitation Racquetball Programs to several members at Fort Jackson, which included the Installation Chaplain, Program Manager of the Risk Reduction Program Coordinator, Physical Therapist of Moncrief Army Community Hospital and the South Carolina chapter of the American Red Cross. All participants were definitely impressed on the upcoming clinics provided by MRF. As an add on feature, Pets for Vets, Ms. Sally Aartun – Board of Director member also gave a brief on their organization's mission to save pets that were scheduled to be put-down / destroyed. The animals can now be saved through adoption by Wounded Warriors and Veterans there on or near post. Although this concept is still in the beginning stages, again, anything that will assist soldiers and veterans to get back to healthy, stable lives is always a positive thing.

Friday (20JAN) was a fulfilled day of racquetball. Senior Chief Jeff Hill, SFC Marcia Roberts (one of MRF's Advisory Council Member) and Steven Harper of MRF gave a racquetball demonstration to approximately 55 Wounded Warriors of the WTU. At first, the Warriors were a little hesitant to participate and to get involved with the clinic, but after SFC Roberts gave her story on how racquetball actually helped her get back into life, they realized that anything is definitely possible. During the clinic, there was the traditional flag-ceremony with the Warriors involvement and then onto learning the fundamentals of the game. Senior Chief Hill taught both fore-hand back-hand drills, then the day ended with most the Warriors playing each other with the new designed foam ball (critical for teaching Warriors and gaining confidence)! When a survey was conducted, most of the Warriors said although they had never seen racquetball presented like this in a clinic form, they were eager to take the MRF clinic and even participating in some upcoming tournaments….. One soldier even said how the clinic actual helped him to cope with his PTSD and anger-management symptoms just by hitting the foam ball.

Overall, with the potential of not only teaming up with the WTU and starting our first 8-week 2012 racquetball clinic some time at the beginning of February, there is even discussion on how the clinic might be offered to soldier's family members and civilian contracted employees as a form of suicide prevention. We at MRF are ecstatic to have the new opportunity to be able to bring a clinic to Fort Jackson thanks to some dedicated and special staff and volunteers in Columbia SC.

MRF starts off 2012 at the Ritz-Epps Fitness Center in MWR racquetball tournament at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (Home of the 82ND AIRBORNE). Jan 6th & 7th (Friday & Saturday), the Ritz-Epps MWR, with special thanks to Steve Johnson (MWR Athletic Director) hosted the base's annual racquetball shootout. There were over 50 some players who played in this 2-day event. With great competition along the way, this sets up MRF starting out this year with a bang! Some of the winners in different categories included:

MEN's OPEN
1st Place: Moises Martinez
2nd Place: Jason Wright

MEN's A
1st Place: Leon Johnson
2nd Place: Mario Ceasar

MEN's B
1st Place: Reginald Larry
2nd Place: Michael Reyna

MEN's C
1st Place: JP Miller
2nd Place: Mason Westbrook

MEN''s 35+
1st Place: Jay Lloyd
2nd Place: Ken Joy

This past year has truly been challenging but definitely rewarding! We at Military Racquetball Federation want to sincerely THANK YOU for this past year. We have made a huge impact not only for the sport of racquetball, but for those who have been severely injured in combat – finding a new means of a healing process through the sport of racquetball.

MRF started the year hosting several Military Racquetball Rehabilitative Clinics (RRC) that ranged from Fort Dix / McGuire AFB, NY (where we had the honor work with Mr. Ruben Gonzalez as our special guest), Fort Jackson, SC and Fort Gordon, GA. These clinics proved that racquetball can make a serious impact in soldiers' lives. There were new racquetball base chapters added in 2011; MacDill AFB and Camp Pendleton who were able to host base-wide shootouts and leagues in support of MRF's mission.

With the guidance of Mr. Jack Hughes (MRF's National Project Coordinator) and those special racquetball players (too many to single out), we were able to raise close to $6,000 in support of our Rehabilitative Racquetball Clinics. Many bases hosted these demonstrations including Fort Sam Houston – Center for the Intrepid (CFI) in San Antonio, TX. This state of the art medical facility houses the best rehabilitation medical program for our troops coming back; treating injures (ranging from amputations, major burns, and wheelchair adaption). From that April clinic, we were able to form special bonds with some brave soldiers such as; Cpt JJ Guerrero, US Army - who lost his leg in a road-side bomb, but also competed in four different "Ride 2 Recovery" (R2R), which included; California Challenge (cycling from San Francisco to Los Angeles) twice. Others like Cpt Ryan Miller, US Army (Ret) – a graduate of West Point Academy and the cousin to the 5 time world champion – Sudsy Monchik. Ryan also lost his leg in combat when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb, but that has not stopped him because as soon Ryan retired, he went on and is now attending Harvard University Business School Program! There is SSgt Marcia Roberts who was introduced to racquetball by MRF during the clinic held in San Antonio, TX and who was the special guest of honor during this year's 3 Wallball World Championships in Las Vegas. JJ and Marcia are now serving with us as our new Advisory Council members as well Mr. Michael Carrasquillo – a Wounded Warrior and huge advocate for MRF as a Council member.

Special Thanks and Congratulations goes out to both Kimo Hansen as a MRF Texas representative and Mr. Herman Brooks for this year's Military Racquetball Federation's PLAYER of the YEAR! We also welcome and look forward to working with both our partners; International Racquetball Tour (IRT) and Pets-for-Vets. Both organizations truly support our soldiers and the vision of MRF.

I personally want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holidays – can't wait to see what 2012 brings for us in the racquetball community! If you wish to join us in some of these new ventures, please contact me at: steven@militaryracquetball.com to see how you might be able to help with our mission.

Steven Harper, MRF

Arlington, Texas - The 2012 Metroplex Racquetball Championships, will begin February 3-5 at The Maverick Athletic Club in Arlington, TX. The tournament will feature nearly 250 players competing in over 30 divisions separated by age and skill. This tournament is considered one of racquetball's premier events and will also serve as a fundraiser for the Military Racquetball Federation. The Maverick has been hosting racquetball tournaments since opening in 1980 and is locally owned and operated by Robert Sullins, a military army veteran.

This year's event will benefit the Military Racquetball Federation (MRF) which provides Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (RRC) that help wounded soldiers as they return home from the current conflicts. The MRF assists wounded warriors while promoting fitness, enhancing rehabilitation, and building camaraderie for service members and their families. This program is unique because it is designed to focus on both physical and mental attributes for the soldiers suffering from the affects of combat (PTSD/TBI) including amputees and wheelchair bound patients. Most service members returning from combat have lost limbs (amputees) and are wheelchair bound for life. However, soldiers dealing with amputated limbs are making progress and seeing them learn to walk again is powerful medicine.

"This type of event raises awareness not only for racquetball but most importantly for an organization such as the Military Racquetball Federation and their programs," said Leo R. Vasquez, Event Director. "We will offer special military divisions for men and women of the armed services so they can compete as well. Retired or active duty personnel are invited to play. I am thrilled to be involved and I hope everyone can come see some great racquetball and support a wonderful cause."

The event will also feature a special silent auction throughout the weekend to benefit the Military Racquetball Federation along with a Casino Night Party on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. for participants and guests.

The tournament begins Friday, at the Maverick Athletic Club located at 1919 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington, TX. There is no charge for spectators to view the action. Special events are scheduled throughout the weekend for players and spectators. Updates will also be provided via the Maverick Athletic Club website at www.themav.com