50 teams took part in the 2011 National Youth Day (NYD) in Kent last Sunday.
This included a team from Milton Keynes taking part in the competition for the first time, showing the increasing interest in the sport around the country.
Karen Palfreyman and her team organised an excellent event, marking out and covering equipment for 10 pitches, organising the BBQ, sound system, and first aid, all hosted at Sparrows Den and Beccehamian Rugby Football Club facilities in West Wickham.
"It (National Youth Day) remains the key element to retention, sustainability and growth(of youth Korfball).”
Frank Sieber - Youth Competitions Co-ordinator
Players competed from the under 9s all the way up to under 19s, with a number of internationals competing in the older age groups. Despite the warm conditions, every age group was keenly contested with very close, tight and sometimes tense games.
Youth Competitions Co-ordinator Frank Sieber said:
“The under 19s were very good this year and produced some closely contested games. Many internationals and players competing at high levels participated, for many this is the only event where they get the opportunity to play within their age group other than inter-area competition, and get to enjoy the social aspects.”
Action from the 2011 National Youth Day
There were particularly strong results for school teams in the under 9s category, with Sprowston and recently formed Marlborogh finishing second and third respectively. Frank Sieber believes the NYD is an essential tool for embedding Korfball into schools sports programmes:
“One of the most important aspects of national youth day is the large amount of development work, especially in the Spring/Summer semester at schools with the focal point of participation at National Youth Day and the continuation of these new players within the school and club structures. It remains the key element to retention, sustainability and growth.”
“Another important aspect is the opportunity for areas to develop referees; usually assessors are on hand to assist new referees, existing referees with limited experience and those looking to progress. The RC is incredibly supportive of this event, this year many of the most senior referees were in attendance.”
The participation of a team from Milton Keynes, was a delight for Darren Gray who has been significantly involved in establishing Korfball in the area. He said:
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