C.1 IRF MEMBERSHIP Any member of a recognized IRF national federation in good standing (dues paid/current), who is classified as “eligible” may compete in any IRF sanctioned tournament.

C.2 ELIGIBILITY To be eligible to compete in any IRF sanctioned event, a player may not have earned in excess of $50,000 in cumulative, total prize monies per season [as of August 1, annually], as a direct result of competing in any professional tournament(s) so deemed by the USRA Board of Directors.

(a) Merchandise or travel expenses shall not be considered prize money, nor will their acceptance affect a player’s eligibility.

(b) Any IRF member, regardless of eligibility, may compete in any division that offers prize money or merchandise at an IRF sanctioned tournament.

C.3 RE-ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY A player may re-establish their eligibility to compete in any IRF sanctioned event by tendering a request in writing to the Executive Director of the IRF or a designated representative, citing professional season-end earnings [as of August 1] below the $50,000 level. Once earnings are verified, eligibility may be re-established, effective immediately.

The American European Racquetball Association also took the opportunity to present inaugural Certificates of Appreciation to Michael Barnes and Secretary Sheila Neary for outstanding efforts in fostering our game of racquetball in Ireland over the last 17 years.

RESULTS: Men’s Divisions — Open Singles: Noel O’Callaghan (Ireland) def. Pascal Matla (Holland) 2/1; B/C: Noel Beggan (Ire) def. Nial Nevin (Ire) 2/0; D/Novice Larry Byrne (Ire) def. Kieran Brannigan (Ire) 2/1; 40 +: Ruben De Simone (Dallas) def. Lee Rients (USA) 2/1. Men’s Open Doubles: Noel O’Callaghan & Kevin Jennings (Ire) def. Pascal Matla (Hol) & Jeffery Huang (USA) 2/1; C/D: Larry Byrne (Ire) & Jim Smith (Dallas) def. Lee Rients (USA) & Edward Breen (Ire) 2/1. Women’s Divisions – Gold/Open Singles: Joan Kennedy (Ire) def. Bernadette Comerford (Ire) 2/0; Blue Division: Karen Grumbridge (Ire) def. Gail Schaefer (USA) 21/16. Doubles: Sheila Neary & Ann Marie O’Sullivan (Ire) def. Geraldine Byrne & Susan Neary. Junior Divisions — Boy’s Under 18 yrs: Brian Byrne (Ire) def. Stafford Vigors (Ire); Girl’s Under 18 yrs: Foina Gannon (Ire) def. Laura Gannon (Ire).

Previously announced in May was the Junior Team, made up of: Boys’ Team: Jeff Buller (Grande Prairie, AB), Eric Desrochers (Ancaster, ON), Tim Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK), Michael McLean (Winnipeg, MB), Remi Perras (Montreal, PQ) — Girls’ Team: Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Saskatoon, SK), Tiara Johnson (Saskatoon, SK), Valerie Lefebvre (Montreal, PQ), Alison Schlichemeyer (Saskatoon, SK)

Want your Canadian e-news direct? Racquetball Canada circulates an email newsletter to members (approx. 10x/yr.); along with updates during special national, monitoring and internationl events. If you’d like to be added to the email list, please contact Cheryl McKeeman at cmckeemn@visto.com.

In a meeting in Bad Toelz on May 10, the Bavarian State Racquetball Association elected a new Executive Committee to four year terms in office, led by Stefan Lang, 48, as the new president [shown at left]. 

“I hope that the newly elected ExCo will work hard together to continue to promote racquetball in our State.” 

The Bavarian State Association represents the sport in the federal state of Bavaria. The Association is affiliated with the German Racquetball Federation (GRF) in Hamburg. 

Bavarian Executive Committee: 
President: Stefan Lang (Reichersbeuern) 
Vice-President: Hermann Bachmaier (Bad Toelz) 
General Secretary: Thomas Zuber (Augsburg) 
Treasurer: Martina Lang (Bad Toelz) 
Headcoach: Martina Fischer (Bad Toelz) 
Assistant Secretary: Yvonne Kortes (Bad Toelz)

In addition, Mike Mesecke (Germany) was elected vice president of the IRF, representing Europe.