The unofficial world championship korfball for junior players under 19, the U19JWC Korfball, takes place in Leek the next few days. Three of the local clubs have joined all their experience and expertise again, to make this tournament as big a success as in 2010. Two main sponsors, MW Bedrijfskleding and Unive Noord Nederland signed contracts with the Foundation Korfball support Leek. The strongest Junior teams from all over the world compete in the U19JWC. Over a thousand volunteers are needed during the Easter weekend, starting this Good Friday, to manage this tournament. On Thursday evening, before the tournament, the tournament will be opened by the Mayor of Leek, mr Hoekstra, in the Topsporthall in Leek. It is expected that around three- to four thousand spectators will see and hopefully enjoy korfball fine examples in excellent surroundings.

The opening on Thursday April 21, will start at 19:00 hours, in the Topsporthall of Leek. Mayor Hoekstra of the council of Leek will welcome guests from different parts of the world. The team that had to travel the furthest is Chinese Taipei, also one of the most attracting teams. With a complete flag parade, with the help of the pupils of the organizing clubs OWK, Rodenburg and Sparta, the opening will be very atmospheric. After the flag parade a turn show will entertain the audience and then at 20:00 hours an exhibition match will be played between the strongest players of the organizing clubs and the selection of NIC./Alfa College.

The entrance is free this evening.

Tournament program

Thursday, April 21, 2011
During the day: Arrival of the teams in Leek and surroudings
19:00: Opening ceremony with JWC 2011 Mayor Berend Hoekstra, DJ and gymnastics show.
20:00: Demonstration match: JWC 2011 team - Nic Alfa College

Friday, April 22, 2011
9:00: Start first games
13:15: Competition Shooting
14:00: Start second part matches
18:15: Demonstration Mission Olympic game: Two demonstration games of the selectionteams RSG De Borgen.
19:00: B Youth Clinic by Kees Vlietstra with the entire selection Nic. / Alfa College led by Mike Vlietstra in two halls.
20:30: A youth Clinic by Kees Vlietstra with the entire selection Nic. / Alfa College led by Mike Vlietstra in two halls.

Saturday, April 3, 2011
9:00: Start first games of the day
17:50: End of the last matches of the day
18:30: Stewbuffet for the teams, guidance of the teams, volunteers (group members) and sponsors including bowling for sponsors.
20:00: Party (theme: glitter and glamor) for the twelve participating countries and their guidance, sponsors, volunteers, members of the three korfballclubs (OWK, Rodenburg en Sparta), host families and hostclubs.

Sunday, April 24, 2011
9:30: Start semi-finals
12:30: Start classification matches and finals
17:15: Closingceremony by Mayor Berend Hoekstra and Adde Klaas de Boer (Chairman Northern District)
18:00: Goodbye to the participating countries

Groninger Regioteam :

The Groninger Regioteam consists of Lieke Boven, Niels Lap en Tomas Boven (OWK), Danielle Hulst, Marleen Stomphorst, Silke Mooldijk, Nina Leatemia, Ruud Stomphorst, Ben Klijn and Marijn van Wijk (Rodenburg), Judith Komrij, Jolien Akkersma, Kor Hut, Roelf Poelstra and Jorn Oldenburger (Sparta), and Esther Kloosterman (DFD). Team coaching: Jan Willem Venekamp (coach), Joep Bruin (assistent-coach), Erna Hamhuis (assistent-coach) and Gerlinda Spandaw (physiotherapist).

The Groninger regioteam, consisting of junior players only, competes at the vacant place of South Africa, and therefore will be non-competitive. On Tuesday night during an exhibition game in the Topsporthall they will practice and experience how it is to play with the shot clock and international rules.

JWC 2011 team :

The JWC Team plays against NIC./Alfa college with Pauli Traa, Annelies Schuitema, Gert Schuitema and Michel Daling (OWK), Mark Gorter, Marc Popkema, Marthine Bierling and Janet van Hoorn (Rodenburg), Arjan de With, Mark Nijenhuis, Sandra Tip and Karin Kalfsbeek (Sparta). Team coaching : Jan Willem Venekamp.

Junioren TalentenTeam Noord:

The JTT North will consist of the most talented junior players of the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe and consists of: Britt Rottink (SCO), Diana van der Vorst, Diann Flokstra, Ilse van der Meulen, Jetze de Jong, Joost Hofman and Manon Veldstra (Hoogkerk), Loes Blacquire (Asko), Hylke van Gorkum (Ritola), Jan Visser (Mid Fryslan), Marrit van Zwol, Marcel Koelman, Youri Borrink and Chermene Toebast (Dos’46), Marcel Pot (Oerterp) and Martijn Zwart (LDODK). Trainers: Roelof Koopmans and Marten Kalkman.

Nederlands team:

In the Dutch team two junior players of the North are taking part, these are Maaike Steenbergen and Jelmer Jonker of DOS'46 Engeldot. Coaches Kees Jan Oppe and Albert Lucas will no doubt let these talented northern players take part in the games.

During the week before Easter, the teams will arrive in and around Leek, Oostwold and Zevenhuizen. The Russian and Slovakian players stay in Oostwold. Officials of different countries stay in Zevenhuizen, and the Polish and German players stay in Leek. Exhibition games are played before the tournament really starts.

The entrance fee could be kept very low, thanks to all the sponsors; 8 euros for a three day passe-partout for everybody of 18 years and older, for juniors this is only 4 euro's. The entrance fee for a day is 4,50 euro's and 2,50 euro's.

The organization is very enthusiastic, as can be seen by the great website www.u19jwc.com. Over a 100 volunteers will contribute to the success of this international tournament.