Korfball has to develop

Subject: Discussion
This week some volunteers who have some relation with international korfball, meet each other.
The subject of the discussion was: "How can "Korfball" makes more progression in the world? "

My contribution:

Introduction
Experience shows that when the administrative power and the quality of the technical staff is not in balance, a korfball country rapidly deteriorate at all front.
This means that a good coach is nothing without good governance and
the case is reversed: a good government which invest in the quality of technical knowledge will spinning yarn.

Basic Principles

The basic principles of korfball, as formulated in 1999 in Adelaide, should be reflected again.
There is progressive insight since Adelaide:
In Adelaide:
1. Korfball is a ball - sport which is played with the hands
2. Korfball is aimed at the korf (basket)
3. Korfball is aimed on a korf that can be approached from all sides
4. Korfball is aimed at a korf on a post which is high enough to prevent dunking
5. Korfball is based on teamwork (playing together)
6. Korfball is a mixed sport where men and women can participate on equal terms
7. Korfball is characterized by a 4 to 4 duel within a rectangle
8. Korfball is a sport in which all -round skills are encouraged
9. Korfball is a sport in which contact takes place in a controlled manner.

Now in 2010 when looking at these principles we need a review. In my opinion the principles no 1, no 2, no 3, no 5 and no 6 are still important. They can help to develop new korfball forms which fit better in new countries.

Cultures

It is recommended when the aim is to promote korfball in the world to consider the sport culture of the country.
The introduction of korfball is not served anywhere in the world as the Holland or Belgium club model is naturally imported.
Moreover, we have to ensure that a higher playing level is not a target of the short term. New countries need a long time to adapt a B level!

Commodities

1: Korfball forms:
The IKF promotes international korfball by two forms:
Two sections korfball, 8 vs. 8
and
Beach Korfball. The official rules of Beach Korfball are still in progress.

IKF should consider to introduce two new official forms:
a. Street korfball: 2 vs. 2 around one korf. Rules: Mixed: Male and Female in 1 team. Function change after interceptions. Scoring possible after function change when there were at least 4 passes by the attackers.
b. Mono Korfball: 4 vs 4 with two korfs around 12 meter apart, rules as normal)

Advantages: Group is small(only 2 or 4 players in each team) Talents are more visible. Talent search each other. Talents challenge each other. Matches are easier to organize, less players, less space. Can be played outside and inside! (you need not much space)
With these new korfball forms international tournaments can be organised cheaper and easier (especially for youth).

2. Tournaments
The schedule of the competition is mandatory and leaves almost no room for other activities.
So there is hardly time to organise a special atmosphere and ambiance with side events .

Today it is necessary that international tournaments get (have to keep) social social legacy.
See for example: LONDON 'Olympic Legacy Action Plan'

a. To make the UK a world-leading sporting nation
b. To transform the heart of East London
c. To inspire a generation of young people
d. To make the Olympic Park a blueprint for sustainable living
e. To demonstrate the UK is a creative, inclusive and welcoming place to live in, visit and for business.

A korfball tournament is more than matches.A tournament is the podium for promote korfball as a sport which can benefit the people. A tournament can give spin off for korfball themselves and also for the social environment where the tournament takes place.


The tournament should be arranged so that an audience will get a special experience.
For example: European Championship in 2010
In Almelo there is the Turish team playing. Almelo is a large constituency of "New Dutch" with a Turkish background. The organisation should make contatc with these two groups.
In Tilburg Poland will play.
During the 2nd war Tilburg has something to do with Poland. In Tilburg there are still former Polish soldiers living. Nowadays there are also many Poles working in that environment.
There is a challenge that the organization create an atmosphere that is recognizable as Turkish, Polish. This ambiance may involve the New Dutch: Turkish fare, Polish shops etc etc.
But other cultural expressions of these countries can play also a role.


Ambasades and representatives of companiesWhen actually the ambassador is invited and he / she will come then it is natural that the mayor of the city is also coming, then the chairman (board) of the Chamber of Commerce can not stay away. Then there will be more executive officers of companies who want to follow.
The President of the Chamber can be invited to give a presentation about responsible leadership of a organization . The next speaker can be a coach. He can make a bridge from a company to a sport team: How does a coach build up a team?

When a tournament is not restricted to only competition days then the organisation can create a program with receptions, conferences, excursions and congress or clinics.
Congress and Clinics for board members of the Korfball Associations and clinics for coaches (see: knowledge)

Facilities at a tournament for the public
To visit the tournament should be a wonderful experience
The eating and drinking that is served, should be of appropriate quality.
Furthermore, in the dining room there are screens where the guests can follow the matches live.
There are shops around where visitors can buy all kinds of sport material .


3. Knowledge
Knowledge can be brought in modern way:
Hyves, Linked, You tube, Weblogs.
Why is there no professional at the IKF who takes direction?
Although all knowledge is easily achievable, a control function is necessary.
The control function ensures that all groups get structured information and that the information will come on the "right place".
A movie of 5 minutes with some spoken text can be produced by using images which are collected by computer and with the help of "game breaker".
There are specific and interesting (korfball) topics enough.
Knowledge entails: IKF should conduct an active policy to make availble knowledge.
IKF should mediate that countries or regions cooperate and inspire each other: India (Haryana provence to Nepal?)

The traditional thought that (korfball) sport is always organized pyramidal, should be left.
Precisely the information involving the "sport for all approach or recreation korfball approach" (many participants) is important to promote korfbal. International korfball needs a strong base with many participants/
The goals are : "korfball brings people together by a mixed game."; "Korfball is healthy", "Korfball is fun".
From a strong base every association gets time to work on improving the playing level.

4. Meetings
It is important to have quality officers and administrators
A prerequisite for capable administrators to find and keep them, is the quality of meetings and the environment in which that happens.
A major conference should not be organized in a hostel or in a sports canteen.
It is an honor and a feast to be allowed to partcipate.
After the meeting should be created an experience that is attractive for the participators.
It is an honor to hear from the company.

5. People
There is insufficient understanding of the qualities of the members of the associations.
It is necessary that there is a record of functions and roles of korfballers in their social life.
IKF should guide this discussion by actively using such as "LINKED" or other modern media. The networking is still infancy.
Internationally, the exchange of knowledge by networking can only give profit.

6. Korfball material
The korf, the shot clock, the ball, the clothing, the footwear, playing rules
The IKF and its affiliates conduct a policy with little decoration. They don't create korfball to as a modern sport.
Sometimes there is even talk of a policy of restraint.