| Korfball’s origins can be traced back to a Dutch schoolteacher, Nico Broekhuysen.
Inspired by a game he had played during a summer course in Nääs, Sweden, Broekhuysen devised the game
of korfball in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) in 1902. He called it korfball after the Dutch word for basket, ‘korf.’
Originally the Dutch korfball association concentrated almost entirely on improving its own organisation and little
attention was paid to the internationalisation of the sport. It was only after the formation of the International
Korfball Federation in 1933 (comprising the Dutch and Belgian associations) that the further development of korfball
came to be seriously considered. Korfball was, however, demonstrated at the Olympic Games of 1920 (Antwerp, Belgium)
and 1928 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands).
In the first half of the century, the underlying philosophy of korfball often appeared to be too progressive: namely
that korfball is played by both sexes on equal terms. But times have changed considerably. We approach the twenty-first
century in an era of greater parity between the sexes and, as the only mixed team sport, korfball both satisfies
and confirms this trend. Hence, it has embarked upon a rapid expansion, taking korfball further into the Americas,
Eastern Europe and South East Asia.
Korfball has developed during the twentieth century from an Amsterdam school activity into a truly international
sport. Recent progress has been particularly remarkable. The growth in Central and Eastern Europe is spectacular.
Korfball in these countries is spreading rapidly and the overall level of korfball skills is improving dramatically.
On the international level countries like Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have ceased to be marginal.
Korfball featured in the World Games (a multi-sport competition with about 45 sports disciplines) from 1985 onwards.
World Championships have been held since 1978. In 1991 Chinese Taipei became the first non-European country to
win (bronze) World Championship medals and four years later the World Cup competition was for the first time held
outside Europe, in India.
By remaining true to its twin principles of coeducation and co-operation,
Korfball is gradually establishing itself
around the globe. The IKF is committed to this expansion.
Source: The International Korfball Federation |
