Worcester Rotary Club to Recognize Donors
August 13, 2007

Date & Time: August 16, 2007 at 12:30pm
Place: Club Maxine's
Contact: Barbara G. Haller, 508 414 0266

On the occasion of its August meeting, the Worcester Rotary Club will present the Friends of Worcester Neighborhoods with a check for $10,000 to be used for expenses incurred in renovating three handball courts in Worcester. Other donors will be recognized: Worcester City Manager Michael O'Brien and his Parks Department, Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis and his Community Services office, Fran Pisegna of the Friends of Worcester Neighborhoods, Frank Zitomersky of ZU Development, Ron Charette of the South Worcester Neighborhood Center, Olympic Trophies, Polar Beverages, and District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller.

The Worcester Rotary Club under the leadership of its president, John Morello, adopted the two handball courts in South Worcester and the one handball court in Oread-Castle Park this summer. All three courts were improved to tournament level status. Worcester Rotary believes that handball is an important recreational sport that has been underserved.

Worcester Rotary President Morello explains, "I understand that there are many important needs in our City and Worcester Rotary is proud to have been a partner in meeting many of them. That being said, this particular need has some unique features - no one else is doing this in the City, handball is a relatively inexpensive sport to support and play, and there is every indication that, once supported, handball will grow to provide many youth and adults with recreational (and healthy) opportunities - across all ethnic and age groups."

Councilor Haller adds, "There has been great interest in developing a handball league, but unfortunately our courts are in poor condition and efforts to rebuild them have been delayed. Worcester Rotary's generous donation and support has made the difference between dream and reality. We certainly couldn't have done this without them. Once Worcester Rotary committed to the effort other donors stepped forward and we will able to complete the task this June and July - early enough to get a league going and a tournament organized. Worcester can call itself a Handball-Friendly City thanks to Worcester Rotary and the others they inspired to get the work done."

At this press event, Worcester's First Outdoor Summer Handball Tournament will be officially announced. The newly formed Worcester Handball Association along with the above sponsors will hold this event at the newly renovated Harry Sherry handball courts on Cambridge and Camp streets this coming Saturday, August 18th. The youth portion will begin at 10am and the adult tournament will begin at noon. A family style cookout for everyone participating, watching, and enjoying the tournament will run from noon to 2pm.