New website for korfball coaches

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After last IKF Level IV “High Performance Coach” course was held from 27th August – 1st September 2013, the new website for korfball coaches was launched at www.ikf.org/coachingkorfball .

The website is created to share content about the training and coaching of korfball, so all coaches are invited to log in and share information about their training exercises. At the same time they can find information about coaching materials, courses, etc.

To participate in “Coaching Korfball” website requires logging in including personal information, therefore it will allow IKF to create a database recruiting information from persons involved in coaching at all levels: from P.E. Teachers need to find exercises for their trainings to regular korfball coaches in different parts of the world.

“Coaching Korfball” website contains different sections to feed the background of coaches formation. In the section Training exercises, you may find exercises for trainings at different levels; to IKF Education where there is information about courses and clinics. At the same time there are some other sections as Rules and Promotional , where registered coaches and P.E. Teachers can find materials to show the very basics of korfball.

Closing ceremony of Universiade

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The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The name is a combination of the words “University” and “olympiad”. The Universiade is often referred to in English as the World University Games.

The closing ceremony of the 27th Summer Universiade was a spectacular finale to 12 days of competitions where 11,800 athletes representing 160 countries participated in a comprehensive sports program of 27 different sports.

The FISU Flag was presented to the Organising Committee of the next Summer Universiade which will be held in 2015 in the South Korean city of Gwangju.  However in 2017 the host will be Taipei and IKF are aiming to have the sport of korfball included in the program for this event.

IKF are in the process of applying for inclusion into the program of recognised FISU sports and will be busy over the coming months to do everything possible to have the sport of korfball included in the 2017 Universiade program in Taipei.  Taipei is also the host of the 1st IKF Asian University Korfball Championship (AUKC) which is scheduled from Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 August 2013 in the Gymnasium of National Taipei University of Education.  Eight teams from five Asian countries have entered this event which is a culmination of lots of hard work from the Chinese Taipei Korfball Association and many years of promotion and development in the Asian region.

Round Table Conference on Gender Equality

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KAZAN – The FISU Gender Equality Committee held a ‘round table’ conference on July 16th at the Main International Centre, Kazan Russia, drawing about 60 people representing different delegations and organizations.

It was a majority of women from all parts of the world at the conference, but there were a number of men present who are involved with FISU.

A number of gender equality issues were highlighted within the sporting culture and the FISU structure itself and Helen Searle (Special delegate for equal opportunity for IKF) did a presentation of the sport of korfball as an example of a sport promoting all the values of equal opportunity that FISU are aiming to achieve.

The Gender Equality Committee seeks to improve equality and equity in all sports, in particular in university sports, which includes athletes, delegation and board members and officials.

27th Summer Universiade in Kazan

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Helen Searle, IKF’s Special Delegate for Equal Opportunity is currently in Kazan, Russia representing IKF at the 27th Summer Universiade which runs from July 6 to July 17.

These Games are held every two years and showcase the finest athletes in the world that are studying in Universities. The athletes will compete in 27 individual and team sports spread over many amazing new sports facilities in the city of Kazan where 20,000 volunteers are working daily to help the games be a big success.

The opening ceremony held in the new Kazan Arena Stadium was filled to capacity with 45,000 people and a spectacular show was displayed by the Russian organising committee for all the athletes and the public together for in amazing ceremony featuring modern technology combined with Russian traditional culture.

In conjunction with the games Helen’s main focus will be to participate in a conference organised by FISU (International University Sports Federation) and speak about korfball and how its fundamental principles promote equality in sport. Ideas and programs will be shared between conference delegates with the focus on gender equality in our global sporting community.

Helen is pictured here with Uni, the kitten of the winged snow leopard. Uni has been chosen as the mascot for the Kazan 2013 Summer Universiade. The winged snow leopard is the national symbol of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Botlhe Mogapelwa Youth Sports Ambassador

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The International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) has officially selected Botlhe Mogapelwa of Botswana as a Game On! Youth Sports Ambassador. By becoming an Ambassador, he joins a growing worldwide consortium comprised of dedicated individuals who are strong advocates of the power of sports in making a positive difference in the lives of children.

Mogapelwa founded the Korfball Association Botswana (KAB) in 2008 and he represented Botswana in the setting up of the African Continental Korfball Federation (ACKF) and the Zone Six Korfball Federation (ZKF) in 2009. ZKF has since been affiliated with the Supreme Council For Sport in Africa.

“I first met Botlhe in 2008 in Gaborone when we introduced korfball to Botswana,” said Chris Theyse, the International Korfball Federation Development Officer for the African Continent. “Botlhe seems to be a motivated person with a clear set of goals in life. Given the difficult circumstances experienced during the introduction and expansion of korfball in Botswana, he is indeed a person that can stick to his goals and can execute a demanding task over a long period of time.”

IKF Educational Program

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Announcement of IKF’s Educational Program:

Last week, Mr. Albert Vidanya, chairman of “Development and Education Committee” announced the IKF’s new educational program, stating the different grades of coach formation structured by following the European Educational Framework. New structure will be starting with 4 levels addressed to all expected targeted audiences in order attendants have the opportunity to become coaches and DEC instructors.

The content of our courses is developed by following the guidelines of Ben Crum’s vision. After support to his book “The IKF guide to korfball coaching” , IKF’s intention is to drive the learning process from coaches around the world by adapting his words and concepts inside the courses.

At the same time, national organizations have received the information to appoint their coaches for next IKF Level IV “High Performance Coach” course. This course, sponsored by KNKV TOP 6 Program, will be starting next august with an introductory stage in The Netherlands and will be the most complete training program for coaches from now on. Program Manager Ben Crum, will structure the clinics to be held, and best coaches in the Netherlands will participate in the sessions during this first central meeting of the training stage, which will last until December 2013, according to following steps:

 

Stage 1. Introduction to course and clinics in The Netherlands.

Arrival: 27th August/Departure: 1st September.

Where: KNKV headquarters (Zeist).

Stage 2. On-line educational Platform.

Period: September to December  ( 15 weeks of lectures).

Stage 3. Challenge Tournament in Rotterdam (The Netherlands)*.

Arrival: Thursday 26th /departure: Sunday 29th December .

Where: Korfball Challenge Rotterdam.

The “High Performance Coach” course, is expecting to receive best young coaches from A and B countries, willing to achieve a higher standard of coaching and management level. Application process starts now and finishes 10th April, by following enrolment details and/or sending motivational letter to participate to DEC Chairman Albert Vidanya at albert.vidanya@ikf.org .

You can find more information on slideshare: 

Year of the Youth 2013

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The IKF Executive Committee has decided to prioritise and promote youth development in 2013 by initiating a worldwide project for the year of the YOUTH.

The project will run throughout 2013 and follow up activities may be continued into 2014 if required.

All 59 IKF member countries have been invited to participate in this project to help promote korfball for our younger players on a global scale and we are excited by the positive responses that we have received from the participating countries.

A project organising committee has been established with representatives from a variety of IKF countries and the committee is happy to announce that we would like everyone to celebrate

The International YOUTH Korfball Day 2013

on Saturday 15 June 2013 

(the 13th of June is the 80th anniversary of the IKF)

This world wide YOUTH day will symbolise that YOUTH is the key to korfball development and a strong korfball community in the future.

We also have created a Facebook page called Year of the korfball Youth and we invite you to like this page and add news and announcements of the events in your own countries so that we can all see what is happening around the world. We can all learn from, and be inspired by the efforts of others so please share your information and ideas with all of us through our social networking channels.

All active national korfball organisations are invited to participate in activities throughout the year and in particular on this special day in June. How fantastic it will be to have so many countries playing, teaching and learning our sport simultaneously in a unified global program for our youth.

Questions or suggestions of activities or promotional events will be welcome and appreciated by the committee so please email the IKF office with your ideas. (office@ikf.org)

Hand in hand cooperation is the key to our success in this task and the IKF believes that the efforts of all nations working together will produce some amazing projects and outcomes. Good luck to you all and we look forward to your news!

IKF Africa member of zone VI

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After an intensive period IKF Africa has received approval February 14th, 2013 to be affiliated member of the zone VI of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA).

This is a huge step forward for korfball in the southern part of Africa.

IKF Africa has done a great job in this achievement.