Give your city a boost by hosting a USHA event
By Vern Roberts

As we move through another handball season, we're looking for sites and hosts for next season's schedule. We're as anxious as ever to find new sites to showcase the best the game has to offer in playing, refereeing and sportsmanship.

We've learned that moving our premier events around the country is a win/win situation for us and the local club(s). Without fail, the USHA membership in areas hosting USHA events gets a boost and the local club sees a resurgence in interest in handball from existing as well as new handball players.

In all, ten national championships are decided each year. The schedule reflects the USHA's goal to spread the word around the country and use the tournaments to promote the game in different venues.

With that in mind, we'd love to know of other potential events, sites and cities where a major event could help bring the local players closer together, attract the local media and draw new USHA members. We have been most fortunate in recent years in that each host of a major event has had one thing in mind--showing its guests a great time.

Each event has different goals. For example, the national juniors are supported by the Development Fund for the future of our sport, while the Masters events can attract the stalwarts of the sport in spite of a higher entry fee. Thus, the agreements also are different, with varying sanctioning fees.

Each event has some of the same requirements:

• The USHA balls are the official tournament balls.

• All entrants must be USHA members.

• Final seeding and draws will be done by the USHA.

• The USHA has exclusive rights to sell merchandise on site.

Concurrently, each host has some of the same benefits:

• Increased publicity through Handball magazine.

• Entry blank printed in Handball magazine.

• USHA representative on site during duration of the event.

• Local sponsorship through seat and program sales.

• Larger entry for your tournament.

The host fees range from zero for the national juniors to $1,000 for a masters or women's classic. Each of the open nationals has agreements concerning who pays for what. Contact the USHA for more information on those listed as "N/A" (not applicable) in the chart.

This information is intended for anyone wishing to bring to their hometown a national championship event and the accompanying shot in the arm for local handball.

Most important, now is the time to speak up if you'd like one of the dates on the calendar still open for next year. Fill out our special USHA Tournament Host Request Form online or call the USHA at 520-795-0434.