The IKF is happy to present the product the Erasmus+ 2021 project initiated and coordinated by the KNKV. The book ‘The Art of Korfball Coaching’ is written for korfball coaches on level 3 and 4, who are interested in korfball coaching theory. The extensive framework addresses various topics, such as performance behaviour, korfball theory, and coaching practice. Furthermore, the book includes a lot of videos to bring theory and practice together. The book was produced in collaboration with Marmara University (Turkey), Czech Korfball Association, and Deutscher Turnerbund e.V. (Germany).
The book will be used by the IKF to further develop the IKF Coach Courses Level 3 and Level 4, and it will be made available on the Korfball Academy. The book is free to read and use for anyone who is interested in korfball coaching, and can freely be shared.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/header_book_The_Art_Of_Korfball_Coaching.jpg3801000Geke Maathttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngGeke Maat2022-01-18 10:18:032024-06-14 15:08:53The Art of Korfball Coaching by Ben Crum
The International Korfball Federation is looking for new members for multiple IKF Committees. The IKF aims to spread korfball around the globe and help its 69 member countries to develop korfball on both an elite- and grassroots level. All committees actively work towards this goal, and some of the committees are now offering exciting positions for korfball enthusiasts.
The IKF encourages anyone interested and capable to apply. If you know someone in your network that would fit the description, please don’t hesitate to refer the position to them. For more details of the IKF organisational structure, please see the IKF Organisation Chart. All positions are volunteer (unpaid) positions; initial appointments are for a two-year period, with the possibility to have this extended.
An IKF Team with CEO Tilbert La Haye and TWG2022 Korfball Competition Manager Gert Dijkstra this week visited Birmingham (USA) to attend the Competition Managers Meeting. At the meeting, the International World Games Association and the Birmingham Organizing Committee shared many details regarding the preparations, such as what looks to be fabulous opening and closing ceremonies, a sports garden where the local community can enjoy the spirit of the Games, and the progress on international and domestic broadcasting contracts. All delegates made a visit to the University of Alabama’s Birmingham Campus, where korfball athletes and officials will be housed in the university’s dorms, and where all meals will be provided.
The team conducted an inspection visit of the venue, the BJCC East Exhibition Hall, where an intimate arena will be constructed for the floorball and korfball competitions. Many details were discussed, such as the construction of subfloor and floor, lighting, camera positions, spectator stands, athlete and spectator routings. Ample space and rooms are available for teams and officials to meet and change at the facility, while showers will be available at the university dorms.
Over the next six months, the IKF’s team for The World Games 2022 will gradually be expanded to a full event team including match officials, media officers, and other technical and management positions.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TWG2022_korfball_2nd_competition_meeting_webpost.jpg3801000Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2021-12-06 08:58:162021-12-06 08:58:16IKF Team visits Birmingham for on-site preparations for TWG 2022
The developments of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to influence the IKF Competition Calendar. All updates about the IKF events of 2022 can be found on this page, which will be updated regularly.
IKF Europa Cup Final Round – Cancelled
UPDATE 16/03/2022 – The IKF EXCO has decided to cancel the IKF Europa Cup 2022. In January, the IKF EXCO decided to look for alternative dates for the IKF Europa Cup, due to the corona developments at that time. An alternative date was found, but it was not possible to organise the event on those dates at the original location. Despite the best efforts of the participants and the IKF to find an alternative host, we have not been able to secure enough teams for a viable event.
IKF Europa Shield 2022 (28-30 January, Czech Republic) – Cancelled
UPDATE 04/01/2022 – The IKF, in close collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the participants of the IKF Europa Shield, has taken the painful decision to cancel the event. The current Covid-19 situation in Europe with the increasing number of positive cases and the uncertainty about the effects of the new omicron variant on possible extra (travel) restrictions has been the key of this decision.
The IKF would like to thank the Czech Korfball Association for their willingness to take on the organisation in these uncertain times, and for their constant flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances.
IKF Europa Cup First Round (7-9 January, Poland) – Cancelled
UPDATE 03/12/2021 – The IKF, in close collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the participants of the IKF Europa Cup First Round, has taken the painful decision to cancel the event. The current Covid-19 situation in Europe with the increasing number of positive cases and the uncertainty about the effects of the new omicron variant on possible extra (travel) restrictions has been the key of this decision. The IKF will now appoint the final participant of the IKF Europa Cup Final Round based on the IKF Europa Cup results over the last 5 years.
The IKF would like to thank the Polish Korfball Federation and specially the LOC for all their efforts to prepare the hosting of this event.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/webpost_Updates_IKF_Events_2021_16march2022n.jpg3801000Tilbert La Hayehttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngTilbert La Haye2021-12-03 11:55:172022-03-16 09:58:03Updates IKF Events 2022
Invitations for the IKF EU World Korfball Championship Qualifiers 2022 have been sent to all IKF EU Members, with exception of Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal, who are already qualified for the IKF World Korfball Championship 2023.
The two IKF EU World Korfball Championship Qualifiers come instead of the original planned IKF European Korfball Championship and offers the European senior teams to qualify for the IKF World Korfball Championship 2023 in Chinese Taipei. Depending on the number of countries participating in the IKF EU WKC Qualifiers and the final call of the IKF Council regarding the number of participating teams for the IKF WKC 2023, the total number of qualification spots will be decided. Most likely there will be either six (three per Qualifier) or four (two per Qualifier) WKC spots to play for.
The two events will be hosted Czech Korfball Association and Developing Sport Federation of Turkey. The IKF EU WKC Qualifier -A will be held from 17 October till 22 October in Czech Republic, host city to be confirmed. The IKF EU WKC Qualifier – B will be held from 31 October till 5 November in Antalya, Turkey.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/web_post_EUqualifiers2022.jpg3801000Geke Maathttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngGeke Maat2021-11-29 08:45:392021-12-15 11:36:13IKF EU World Korfball Championship Qualifiers 2022
At the General Meeting held on October 30 in Antwerp (BEL), the Asociacion Peruana de Korfball (AKOPE) joined the IKF as Associate Member. Korfball was introduced to Peru three years ago with the help of the Argentinian Korfball Aassocation, and since then AKOPE President Javier Rojas Durand has been working to develop korfball. Due to the pandemic, the first initiatives, in particular courses, have been held online, but currently korfball is being played in a number of schools. Mr Rojas Durand is an experienced sports developer, having previous introduced handball to Peru, and now focusing on our sport. Mr Jan Fransoo met with Mr Rojas Durand in 2019 during a visit to Lima, and is confident in the leadership of AKOPE to develop into a strong association in the Latin American country.
Since Belarus withdrew from the IKF at the General Meeting due to difficulties to develop korfball, the IKF currently still counts 69 member countries.
A total of 48 member countries of the IKF have made commitments on their specific contribution to help the IKF reach its aim of Olympic inclusion. The commitments are all aimed towards 2027, when the IKF aims to have further increased the number of countries with well-governed national organisations with korfball at all age groups. The countries include well-established national korfball organisations, like those from the world’s four strongest countries the Netherlands, Belgium, Chinese Taipei, and China, but also young national organisations, such as those in Argentina, Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Thailand, and Indonesia. Commitments are diverse such as setting up youth leagues in multiple age groups, to joining regional multisport games.
IKF Executive Committee member Jorge Alves (POR), responsible for the Federation’s Development program, has been leading the effort to make at least 40 IKF member countries make the Pledge, and well exceeded this target number. “It is critical that every one of our national organisations realizes they can play a role to help realize our Olympic dream. The IKF’s development program will now be further aligned with these specific commitments, helping specifically our smaller member organisations help realise their commitment.”
Further, many of the stronger and larger national organisations, like those in the Netherlands, England, Belgium, and Chinese Taipei have committed to helping other countries realise their dreams, supporting the IKF Development program. In some regions, countries have also committed to regional multilateral collaboration programs, such as the central European countries Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, and the countries in the SEA Games region.
The pledges were signed on the occasion of the IKF World Korfball Congress that was held in hybrid format in Antwerp, Belgium. At the Congress the IKF also announced the creation of a Covid-19 Recovery Fund, aimed at supporting member organisations that have suffered disproportionately from the consequences of Covi-19. In many countries, korfball activities have been banned for extended periods of time, severely affecting korfball participation.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SPEL7593.jpg10801620Tilbert La Hayehttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngTilbert La Haye2021-11-10 14:45:162021-11-17 11:11:09World Korfball Community makes pledge towards Olympic inclusion
The International Korfball Federation has presented its biannual World Korfball Awards at its General Meeting in Antwerp, Belgium. The awards were instated in 2019 following a suggestion of the Sri Lanka Korfball Association to recognise national organisations for excellence in korfball.
The World Korfball Award for Grassroots Development was presented to the Argentinean Korfball Association for a project to start producing low cost korfball equipment for countries across Latin America. Getting affordable equipment from the main production locations in Europe and Asia to Latin America is costly. Over the past two years, the AKA has worked very hard to produce a low-cost korf and associated equipment at roughly one third of the international cost. This should help support the rapid growth of korfball on the continent.
The World Korfball Award for governance was awarded to Swiss Korfball. With only 7 years in existence, the Swiss federation has been developing steadily, under excellent governance. With about 70% of their members taking an active part in running activities for the federation, and according to a structured five-year plan with accountability, the federation is a prime example for a volunteer-based national organisation under good governance.
The World Korfball Award for Innovation was awarded to the Hong Kong Korfball Association for their continued efforts in leveraging associations with famous consumer brands and TV and movie personalities to promote korfball. This has created extensive free and positive publicity about korfball in Hong Kong over many years, helping the federation to grow.
Finally, the World Korfball Award for best event with jointly awarded to Belgium and Poland, for hosting the first two major post-covid events, namely the European Championships A and B division, respectively.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IKF_World_Korfball_Awards_2021_korfball.jpg3801000Tilbert La Hayehttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngTilbert La Haye2021-11-09 09:56:072021-11-09 09:56:07IKF World Korfball Awards 2021 to Argentina, Belgium, Hong Kong China, Poland and Switzerland
The IKF has granted the IKF Badge of Honour to four retiring individuals. Mr Leo Heere served for many years a chair of the IKF Medical Committee and IKF Therapeutic Exemptions Committee. Mr Walter Eijsink and Mr Gerrit van der Beek had an extensive service as International Referee, and subsequently were a member of the IKF Referees committee and served as Referee educator and assessor. Finally, Mr Jan Sjardijn was recognized for his service as member of the IKf Playing Rules Committee, the IKF Competitions Committee, and for serving at many events as jury member, jury chair, and coordinating officer.
The distinctions were presented at the IKF General Meeting in Antwerp, Belgium. Mr. Leo Heere was not able to attend the General Meeting and therefore is also missing in the picture.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IKF_Badges_of_Honour_2021_korfball.jpg3801000Tilbert La Hayehttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngTilbert La Haye2021-11-05 15:22:312021-11-05 15:22:31IKF distinguishes long serving volunteers with Badge of Honour