Korfball Comes to Birmingham

Korfball Comes to Birmingham

On June 7-8, 2019, The World Games 2021 hosted a Korfball training seminar for nearly 20 of Birmingham’s brightest educators.

The training, which was held at Ramsay High School and is a part of a larger education initiative planned by The World Games 2021, offered local teachers an in-depth look at the rules of the game, taught them how to teach the game to a variety of age groups, how modifications can be added to fit different environments and offered them a chance to take the court by participating in drills and pickup games.

“It was beneficial because we’re learning it from the referee’s perspective,” said Carol Rhoden, teacher at William J. Christian K-8 School. “I think that’s the best way to learn the rules – understanding the dos and the don’ts.”

Rhoden also expressed excitement that the mixed-gender nature of the sport would offer students the opportunity to avoid bias in athletics, and understand that everyone – no matter their gender – must be united in order to accomplish goals.

Not only was this value taught through teaching exercises, but also through action – as Ruben Boode and Lonneke Dykstra of the International Korfball Federation expertly maneuvered the group throughout the two-day course.

“I really like how enthusiastic everyone is here,” said Dykstra. “They’re all trying so hard to learn something they’ve never seen before. At the start of the training today, we taught them everything about Korfball – most of them had never done it or seen it before – and now they’re all playing and doing everything as if they’re almost professionals!”

Boode and Dykstra have years of training in the Korfball space, both having played as children and now spending their careers teaching others about the game.

When asked about The World Games 2021, both coaches lit up, excited at the chance for Korfball to reach larger audiences.

“For all the sports that aren’t able to get to the Olympics, it’s fantastic to be able to show what you’re doing and how it’s done,” said Dykstra. “Also, there are opportunities for countries to take part in new sports.”

After spending time in Birmingham, Alabama, both trainers were sure that the International World Games Association made a good choice in selecting the city.

“What we’ve seen [of Birmingham] impressed us,” said Boode. “The atmosphere here is really cool, really friendly people…The World Games 2021 couldn’t get a better city than Birmingham.”

For more information on Korfball in The World Games 2021, please visit here.

 The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 15-25 July 2021. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in the Games.

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