Korfball is a mixed team sport invented in the Netherlands. It is now played in over 40 nations worldwide and is recongised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee.

Korfball differs from other team sports in that the rules encourage controlled physical contact as well as gender equality between players. Boys mark boys and girls mark girls, so in theory, male players have no more an advantage or significant role than their female team-mates. Sometimes in training we might bend the rules a little!

The sport is played indoors during the winter months and when summer rolls around it moves outdoors onto grass or astroturf courts. Beach Korfball is also becoming increasingly popular.

The video below (from the International Korfball Federation), will give you a bit more of an idea of how the game is played at the top level.

How to play

The Korfball court is divided into two halves. Each half has a post near it's centre, meaning play takes place behind the post as well as out in front. The post is 3.5m in height, so slam-dunking is not an option. This also reduces the advantage tall players might have. The ball is similar to those used in football.

Teams consist of 8 players, 4 male, 4 female. Two men and two women play in each half, either as attackers or defenders. After two goals, the teams switch halves so that the attackers become defenders and vice-versa.

History

In 1902, a Dutch school teacher named Nico Broekhuysen was looking for a game that both boys and girls in his class could play together on an equal footing. Using ideas he apparently acquired playing a sport called Ringboll whlist in Sweden, he devised the rules for Korfball.

Korfball around the World

Originally, Korfball was played mostly in Holland and Belgium but is now played in over 40 countries worldwide. The International Korfball Federation was established in 1993, since 1985 Korfball has featured in the World Games. World Championships take place every 4 years, the last in 2007 was won by the Netherlands.

In the UK, the governing body is the England Korfball Association. Norwich Knights play in the Haven Sports Korfball League, the top division in England, the South East Regional League, and the Norfolk League. We also compete in local, national and international tournaments, some of our players have represented England at various levels.