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.

Dr. Shouu-Chuyan YANG passed away aged 83 May 10th 2013

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Dr. Shouu-Chuyan YANG passed away aged 83 peacefully in the morning May 10th , the same date Prof. Eugene CHEN, Father of korfball Chinese Taipei, left to heaven in 2004. “Uncle Yang” (his nickname in the society of Chinese Taipei korfball athletes) acted as the President of the Chinese Taipei Korfball Association in 1993-1997 and furthermore, with the help of his fluent Japanese and English, the IKF innovated the development and promotion of korfball in Japan in 1998 and successfully organized the Korfball Tournament, the 6th World Games 2001 in Akita.

Recent years, Dr. Yang’s had been suffering heart illness and spinocerebellar atrophy. His last showing up in the international korfball stage was 2008 IKF U23 World Korfball Championship in Kaohisung, Chinese Taipei (see the attached photo). The funeral service will take place in his hometown, Hualien, at 09:00 am local time Wednesday 22 May.

Dr. Yang was born in 1931 to become the 2nd child of 10-child family of Yang. He and his wife, Michelle MA, also construct their own big family with 2 sons, 2 daughters and 12 grandchildren. We wish Yang’s wife, children, grandchildren and relatives of the family strength in the period ahead of them. The korfball world will remember Dr. Yang with the greatest respect.

Chinese Taipei Sports Minister pledges support

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In a recent meeting with IKF President Dr Fransoo and IKF Asia President Dr Huang, the Chinese Taipei Minister of Sport, Dr Ho, pledged support for the objective to include korfball on the program of various multisports events in Asia. IKF Asia is currently requesting the Olympic Council of Asia for recognition, upon which korfball should be included in the Asian Indoor Games. However, the national korfball organizations in East Asia are also targeting inclusion on the program of the East Asian Games, a high-profile quadrennial multisports competition. Taichung (Taiwan) is current bidding for the 2017 edition of the East Asian Games. If Taiwan is successful in the bid, Dr Ho pledged support to include korfball on the program.

In the meeting, President Fransoo thanked the Sport Administration, now part of the Ministry of Education, for their long-standing support and collaboration with the Chinese Taipei Korfball Association, the IKF, and IKF Asia.

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!