Community Action Features

Korfball is played by men and women together on the same teams on an equal basis, with men playing against male opponents and women againstfemale opponents.

The object of the game is to get the ball into the korf (a plastic basket) which stands 3.5 metres high and inside the court area.

The catch is, players cannot shoot when marked, so a lot of the sport involves trying to lose your marker, so you can shoot for the korf.

Non-contact

It is therefore a fast and skilful non-contact sport where teamwork and tactics are vital.

The sport was originally invented in Holland by Nico Broekhuysen, a Dutch school teacher.

It's now played in over 50 countries and has featured in the World Games since 1985.

Korfball action

Korfball in Staffordshire

The sport has grown rapidly across the Midlands. Here in Staffordshire, there's been a team in Newcastle since 1996.

In 2009, teams from the Potteries are competing again to win the Staffordshire and Cheshire Korfball League (SaCKL), with league champions Castle 2 aiming to defend their title from last season’s runners up and two-time winners Keele University.

For the first time, Crewe and Nantwich Korfball Club has entered a team this season. At the end of the season in March, the champion of the five team league will be crowned.

Local expansion

"Korfball in Staffordshire and Cheshire has expanded substantially in the last few years" says league coordinator Jon Allison.

"In 2001 we only had one club in the region, Castle, and players had to travel at least as far as Manchester or Nottingham, and sometimes further, for competitive matches.

"Castle's first team still competes at a regional level in a league covering the Midlands and North West, but the Staffordshire and Cheshire league means that players can play korfball at a good standard without having to spend hours travelling."

Free sessions

All of the clubs involved in the league field beginners' teams in the league and run free sessions for new players.

"Many of the SaCKL players have only taken up korfball fairly recently, and all of the region's clubs welcome new players" says local association development officer Ruth Mann.

"People take up korfball for a variety of reasons – to improve their fitness, to play a competitive team sport, to expand their social circle, or just to try something new.

"Some korfballers are mainly 'social' players, while others train hard in order to play at the highest level they can, including representing their count(r)y in national or international competitions.

Korfball is suitable for players of all ages and abilities and levels of fitness."

What to know more?

Castle Korfball Club train on Wednesday's (8-10pm) at Keele University Leisure Centre, and their home court is Kidsgrove Leisure Centre.

Keele University field 2 teams in SaCKL, as well as sending squads to a large number of University tournaments, including the main BUSA korfball events. They train at Keele Univeristy Leisure Centre, which is also their home court.

Crewe and Nantwich Korfball Club (CaNKorf) train at their home court on Tuesdays at South Cheshire College in Crewe.

Local Links

Find out more about the sport and who to contact with our handy links...