What we’re about
What exactly is happening?
I attended the United States Korfball Federation's get-together and National Team try-outs in Chattanooga this past November. It was a ton of fun playing this collaborative game for the first time and I made the team! At the gathering, the Federation agreed to host their very first United States National Korfball Championship in June of 2024. The exact date and location are TBD, but several members of the National Team are organizing local teams to compete for the National Championship. Teams are racing to organize in Cincinnati, Chattanooga, Birmingham, and Los Angeles. I want to build a team in the Twin Cities and win the first National Championship. The tournament will also serve as a second round of try-outs for the National Team, which still has open spots available! By joining this team, you have a chance to learn a new sport, compete for a National Championship, and try out for a National Team that is in the process of returning to the international stage.
What is korfball?
Korfball is the Dutch version of basketball. It's a mixed-gender sport that requires a great deal of collaboration. There is no dribbling, the basket is 11.5 feet high and has no backboard, and you cannot shoot while defended. You can learn more here: https://www.uskorfball.org/discover-korfball.html
>>> I do want to clarify that some resources neglect to detail exactly how people outside of the gender binary fit into the sport. In the United States competition and in this club, EVERYONE IS WELCOME EXACTLY AS THEY ARE. Trans and non-binary athletes are welcome to participate. We intend to operate with four female spots and four non-female spots, respecting everyone's identity.
Who should join us?
You. And every adult you know who enjoys sport and lives in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area! No previous Korfball experience is necessary. It helps if you have played other sports, but that's not a requirement either! We hope to be competitive, but we definitely want to have fun together! Minimum age is 18 but there is no maximum age. Nobody on the National Team is below the age of 30.
How many people can make the team?
A team fields eight people (four female, four non-female) at a time. The team can have up to eight substitutes for a game and can change starters for different games. So, we can have a total of 16 players. This sport doesn't have an existing audience in our area, so we are not likely to field a full 16-player team. So, basically, if you want to be a member of a team that competes for a National Championship, you will be able to make this team!
What do we know about the National Championship?
We know it will be sometime in June of 2024 and will likely take place over a weekend. There is not a location yet. If we were to find a suitable venue in our area, we could even bid to host!
Where and when does the team practice?
We're still working on this. I am in the process of searching for an indoor venue. Since there is no dribbling, we can practice outside, but it is cold and will be cold for the next several months. I hope to get this figured out as soon as possible. Once we have a few folks sign up, we can pick a time to practice that works for everyone!
I hope that we can build a strong and fun group of folks who work well together. If you're interested, please fill out the form below. And if you have any questions, please contact me at twincitieskorfball@gmail.com. I'll be in touch with you soon!
- Uriah Ward
