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Jenny Everaert, KBKB Honorary Member, dies at age 72

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The Executive Committee of the International Korfball Federation is sad to receive the news that Mrs Jenny Everaert, Holder of the IKF Pin of Merit since April 2000 and Honorary Member of the Royal Belgian Korfball Federation (KBKB) died last week at the age 72. Mrs Everaert also was awarded the Lifetime Award of the KBKB.

Jenny-Everaert

Mrs Everaert for several decades led the activities of the Event Committee of the KBKB. As such, she was the main organizer of many korfball events, including multiple friendly international matches and IKF World and European (youth) Championships organized by the KBKB.

The IKF will remember Jenny’s perfectionism and professionalism in organizing events, and for always showing a warm welcome to athletes and officials from abroad.

Mr Jaap OUD passes away

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The International Korfball Federation has been informed of the passing of Mr Jaap Oud, holder of the IKF Badge of Honour, on 4 August 2017 at the age of 80.

Jaap Oud served in the eighties and nineties of the twentieth century over more than a decade the Royal Dutch Korfball Federation (KNKV) as vice-president. When he stepped down in 1993 he was appointed KNKV Honorary Member.

After that period he became member of the first IKF Committee responsible for the set-up and organisation of korfball events in Europe. He served the IKF in that role for more than 13 years. In total he served the IKF for more than 20 years – since 1985 – on many occasions as jury member and IKF Coordinating Officer. In the General Meeting 21 January 2006 in Utrecht (NED)  Mr Jan Fransoo presented him with the Badge of Honour.

Jaap Oud was involved with korfball over many decades. He served his club, Groen Geel, the KNKV and the IKF – i.e. the korfball community – with great dedication and commitment.

For all his professional, volunteering and political activities he was knighted by the Dutch queen.

The IKF has lost a man with great commitment to education and development of national / international korfball. We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Jeanet, children and grandchildren.

Death of Ate van Heusden

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It is with great sadness that the International Korfball Federation has learnt of the passing of Mr Ate van Heusden, developer of korfball, with latest initiatives in Morocco.

Ate van Heusden had been involved with the international development of korfball over many years, mostly in an informal role. Initially, in the 1980s, he got involved as the husband of Tineke van Heusden, who supported the development of korfball outside of Europe (the “A-continents” as it was called at that time. Ate was very active in his club PSV Eindhoven and within the club he supported many international initiatives, for many years linked with a close relationship with Chinese Taipei. Later, Ate participated as a creative thinker in multiple IKF initiatives, including participation at the IKF Congress. Most recent, again as part of his activities at PSV, he was a co-founder of the “Korfball Foundation Netherlands – Morocco” and has been one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Moroccon Korfball Federation.

IKF President Jan Fransoo: “We will remember Ate for his endless creativity and energy, and his positive attitude, always seeing opportunities on the bright side of life. We wish his wife Tineke and his children Bart and Nienke lots of strength with carrying this loss.”

Photo credit: PSV Korfbal website

First former IKF employee passes away

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The International Korfball Federation has been informed of the passing of Mrs Adrie van Bruchem, holder of the IKF Badge of Honour, on 7 June 2017 at the age of 78.

Adrie van Bruchem was in the eighties and nineties of the twentieth century, the first professional IKF secretary. She served the korfball community with great dedication and commitment for over a decade. Her contribution to international korfball was huge and Mr Bob de Die, Honorary Life President of the IKF, presented her with the Badge of Honour in the IKF General Meeting held on 10 November 1995.

After her IKF service she served for many years as a volunteer secretary of the Swan Fund.

The IKF has lost a lady with great commitment to the development of international korfball. We send our condolences to her husband Jan, her children and grandchildren.

USA Korfball pioneer Ralph Davis passes away at 96

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Today, the International Korfball Federation has been informed of the passing of Ralph Davis, holder of the IKF Badge of Honour, at the age of 96, amid his next of kin. Ralph Davis was one of the pioneers of korfball in the United States in the late 1970s. Many consider him one of the two founding fathers of US Korfball, together with Jan Broekhoff.

Davis was a coach of the Portland State University Korfball Team and served as President of the US Korfball Federation. Apart from korfball, he was very active in sports throughout his entire life.  He was a Seaside and Gearhart ocean-front lifeguard, credited with 250 life-saving rescues, physical education instructor at Portland State University, and a coach in football, track and cross country athletics. Further, he was founder and director of the Seaside Marathon and its summer Beach Run. The latter he created in 1966 together with his late wife Betty, who also was a former life guard. She supported him over many years in korfball activities. He was active in the gym until very recently continuing to practice sports.

His true dream, however, was a further growth of korfball in the US, which may happen now that The World Games have been awarded to Birmingham (AL, USA) in 2021. At those games, we will surely remember Ralph Davis’s most famous quote, with which he signed off all his letters: “If it isn’t korfball, it isn’t”.

The global korfball community have lost a pioneer in korfball and a friend of many. We send our condolences to Vaunda, Bryan, Scott and their families.