Korfball

Korfball, invented in 1901 by an Amsterdam schoolmaster, Nico Broekhuysen, is a game comparable to netball and basketball with one major exception - the game is designed to be played by mixed teams. It was designed by Nico Broekhuysen in this way because he wanted a game which could be played by his schoolchildren where both boys and girls were able to compete on an equal footing within the same game.

It is the world's only true mixed team sport with the rules laid down so that both men and women have equal opportunities.

It was first demonstrated in Holland in 1902, just a few years after James Naismith invented basketball in the USA. A national association was formed in Holland in 1903 and soon the game spread to almost 40 other countries, including Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Germany, India, Indonesia, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Taiwan and USA. The Federation International de Korfball was formed in 1923 and this changed its name to the International Korfball Federation in 1978. The IKF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and is a member of ARISF and the IWGA. In the latter organisation, which organises the World Games - for non-main Olympic Sports and held the year after each Olympic year...