“Hey Casper, what’s up this weekend for you?”
“Korfball with the Dutch team, in Eindhoven.”
“Belgium I guess? Who else you’re playing against with the National team right?”
“Actually I am heading towards a tournament where besides Belgium also Ru

ssia and Czech Republic participate.”
“Huh, they play korfball in those countries as well? I wasn’t aware.”

This is the regular way of conversation when I talk to non korfball players about

the activities of the Dutch National team. Many times I need to elaborate on the fact that korfball is a national sports in many countries and that it is still expanding. For sure I need to admit that the Dutch team is heading the league significantly, and that serious competition only comes from Belgium and maybe Taiwan. Now this is a pity, meanwhile it generates a missionary job in the field of korfball for us.

Since then I enjoyed different korfball events and promotion trips, and though distinctive in programme, what was the guiding principle wa s the fun I had. It was great, time and time again. Playing korfball in Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai and Kaohsiung........or closer to home Lisbon, Borno and Antwerp are examples of these trips. If it wasn’t for these purposes I most likely wouldn’t have visited any of these cities, except for Antwerp.These experiences are precious and I look back with sweet memories, both with my team DOS’46/ Engeldot as with the Dutch National team. Lately we joined as DOS’46/Engeldot the Europe Cup for national champions in Herentals Belgium. We shared many memories together in Nijeveen afterwards, both as players and fans. It is definitely a very special given, enjoying some days of a sort of korfball break, causing an increasing team spirit during that time. And if you then even win the tournament and celebrate this happening as players and fans, you cherish every second. This is where the hard work is for.

During these events the social network is expanding as well, as well as the local sight seeing activities in places such as Kaohsiung. I enjoy these new contacts with players from other countries, and as such I visited Portugal a number of times already now to enjoy holidays in the Algarve with international korfball mates. Excellent!

Nedless to say that playing korfball on international level is magnificent. And...Successful as in the international playing field I am unbeatable still. On the one hand this is a performance to be proud of…on the other it says it all…there is no doubt a way to go still for the international korfball arena compared to the Dutch level. For the sports it would be good if this level improves internationally and the playing field enlarges all over the world.

It is my impression that the difference between the countries enlarges instead of diminishes. There is still work to do for organisations such as IKF and the KNKV, more than currently is done. And I am eager to contribute to that now and in the future.

The JWC is in this context a great event. I wish everyone lots of success and I hope that the experiences of this tournament will be taken home to the countries as foundation for more future korfball. There is still a long way to go, with sufficient opportunities and challenges!
Casper Boom