January 28, 2021
Korfball: unique because of its warm club culture
Korfball is so much fun because it is a team sport that involves cooperation between boys and girls, Gert-Jan KraaijeveldGert-Jan is Manager of Korfball Participation at the Royal Dutch Korfball Association (KNKV)To allow as many people as possible to enjoy korfball and to promote korfball to the Olympic level. These are the federation's two main ambitions. Korfball, a traditional Dutch sport, has developed internationally and as a top-level sport. 'Every child should be able to participate with us'.
“In our teams, men and women play together,” says Gert-Jan. “That makes it special. There is korfballfield an attacks- and a defense zone and there are no specific division of rolesand between the players like in football for example. You start from the specificth qualities of the players. In winter we play indoors in the sports hall, in the frontryear, 'in summer and the autumn outside. Then we play on our own accommodations and becomen there besides the competition many other things activities by the associations organized.
Warm bath
Korfball is known for its club culture. It is a sport where oftenthe families being involved. “That's what makes it so great,” says Gert-Jan. “Of course it's about the sport itself, but you see that because the teams are mixed the environment is social and safe. Anyone who starts with korfball, has the feeling of being in a warm bath at come. That warm, social climate is typical for korfball, that is What we're good at. That's also what makes us so popular in education. Korfball at school is one of the popularste sportand at schools, because boys and girls can play sports together. It is not an expensive sport. That is of course because you play korfball at An association and hMost of the work is done by volunteers."
Sports are very important for children
The association supports the 472 clubs throughout the countryChildren can participate in the 'Kangaric Clubs"Korfball is for young and old. But the ages 5-12 are very important to us. They are the future of the sport. There's definitely attention in sports for families with limited means. We also want to give those children the opportunity to play korfball. Honestly, we need to make that more known. For example, by inviting friends of... players during open days to let you know that the Youth Fund there is if they are because of money cannot become a member of the association.”
“I really think that all children should be able to play sports. Sports are so valuable for children. They learn a lot from it. from a social and motor perspective, sports are fun, but also It is important from a health perspective. Children nowadays spend a lot of time behind digital Screens. Obesity is a growing problem. That alone is why you want children to participate in sports. to to explain why korfball is so much fun.”
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Photo credit: Edwin Sonneveld, Korfbalfoto.nl
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