Organization IKF

The International Korfball Federation (IKF) was founded in Antwerp (Belgium) on the June 11, 1933 as a continuation of the International Korfball Bureau established in 1924 by the Dutch and Belgian Associations.

The IKF was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1993 and is affiliated to the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the Association of the IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF) and the International World Games Association (IWGA).

The IKF aims to spread korfball around the globe, which is currently being attained with 54 participating countries. It provides the affiliated countries with financial, material, and structural support to achieve this goal. It has established a network of contacts in many countries and actively promotes the game by transferring knowledge internationally by exchange programmes and inviting selected korfball players, coaches, and administrators to its training courses in order to create a stable local structure in all the affiliated countries on which a flourishing korfball organisation can be built.

Organization KNKV

The KNKV stands for "Koninklijk Nederlands Korfbalverbond" or in English: Royal Dutch Korfball Association.

The KNKV was founded in 1903.

The KNKV has over 100.000 members spread out over 573 clubs.

The KNKV is listed at number 13 - based on membership numbers - with the Dutch Olympic Committee, from a total of 79 national Dutch sport organisations.

1. Vision and Mission for international korfball

The KNKV seeks to develop more genuine competition. The KNKV's strategy is to improve the playing level in other countries. This is something we are continually striving to achieve. To achieve this the KNKV will continue to work closely with the IKF as it has done in the past.

More national federations should be striving to achieve the so-called A-level status such as The Netherlands and Belgium. This A-level status is not only based on continual performance on court, but also many other aspects in terms of organisation and development off court. Our long term goal is the realisation of at least four A-status countries by 2011.

It should be noted however that the promotion of korfball in foreign countries is not and shall not be part of the KNKV's international korfball strategy.

2. Means

The achievement of our goals in the supported countries will be achieved by the transfer of knowledge and practical experience. The KNKV will also use top coaches and top players to assist in this. Various opportunities include:

Additional training of coaches;

Additional training of referees;

Additional training of players during international matches and training clinics;

Training courses and traineeships of coaches, referees and players.

3. Critical success factors

These factors will be prioritised per country per year. As a result, both the supported country and the KNKV will be made aware of their requirements. The annual evaluation of results versus priorities will be laid down under this plan.

4. Indicators

This approach has been completed in close co-operation with the IKF. The relevant instruments for measurement of the KNKV's support have been drawn up. The instruments to measure progress in terms of quality and quantity are as follows:

annual development of federation members;

annual plan achievements;

four annual results in the continental championships for senior and under 23 teams;

four annual results in the world championships for senior and under 23 teams;

participation in formally recognized youth cups and clinics will result in so called bonus points.

The recognition of Youth Cups and clinics will be completed by both the IKF and the KNKV;

5. Playing field

To overcome the risk that our limited means and manpower become exhausted, the KNKV will limit the number of countries they support.

A number of European countries will be granted support. This support is limited to countries which have a strong relationship with the various KNKV districts.

Ten percent (10%) of the annual budget of the so-called LWIK will be reserved for the improvement of the level of play outside of Europe. LWIK means Dutch Working Group for International Korfball (In Dutch: "Landelijke Werkgroep Internationaal Korfbal").

6. The added value of international korfball

The importance of international korfball is vital. The growth and further development of our sport is strongly related to the results achieved in the international korfball arena. The world wide spread of korfball is of great importance for korfball. Furthermore, successful korfball exportation is also of great importance to Dutch korfball. The image and charisma of korfball can only be related to the international distribution of it throughout the world. This applies to the quantity (number of countries playing, at least fifty by the end of 2007, in five continents) and the quality (level of play in international matches and /or competition) of play. The KNKV faces the additional challenge of introducing korfball to other cultures. We will continue to use korfball to transfer knowledge and experiences. We will participate in tournaments, friendly international matches/tests, and clinics. We challenge our 580 Dutch clubs to add international korfball and the export of korfball to their strategic plan at club level.

International korfball is more than the top korfball level of the DUTCH korfball organisation alone.

International korfball needs be at the heart of each of the 100.000 DUTCH members of our association!