What is Korfball?

Korfball is a mixed-team sport invented in Holland in 1901. Korfball has spread to approximately 50 countries worldwide and features in the World Games. The korfball World Championships take place every four years and are still normally won by the Dutch, although teams from places as diverse as Taiwan, Australia, Czech Republic and Portugal are strong contenders, along with Great Britain.

A korfball team consists of four men and four women. There are no set positions and everyone has to be able to defend and attack. The game is set up so that there is no advantage to being male or female, tall or short, stocky or slim - all that matters is your ability to co-operate with your teammates to get through the opposition's defence.

Korfball is played by two teams of 8 (4 men, 4 women) on a rectangular pitch approx 40m by 20m, divided into two halves so that each end is square. At either end, at one third of the length of the square measured from the back line, is a goalpost supporting a cylindrical basket open at both ends with the rim of the basket 3.5m (11.5ft) from the ground, 1.5ft higher than a netball post. There is no backboard. The ball is similar to a soccer ball, although slightly heavier than most. The two zones, defence and attack, are occupied by two men and two women from each team.