The Sport
What is Korfball?
The world's original mixed-gender team sport
A Sport Like No Other
Korfball started in the Netherlands in 1902 and was built from day one for men and women to play together as equals. It's one of the only sports in the world where that's genuinely true — not a modified version, not a separate category, just one game for everyone.
Where It Came From
A Dutch schoolteacher called Nico Broekhuysen invented korfball in 1902, inspired by a Swedish game called 'ringboll'. The name comes from the Dutch word 'korf' — meaning basket. From those Dutch school playgrounds, it's now played in over 70 countries. Not bad for a 120-year-old idea.
How It Works
Eight players a side — four women, four men. The court splits into two halves: attack and defence. You can't run with the ball, you can't dribble, and you can't shoot if someone's marking you closely. To score, you shoot through a 3.5-metre post with a basket on top. Simple in theory, brilliant in practice.
Key Rules
How the Game Works
The Rules of Korfball — explained in under 3 minutes
Click to watch on YouTube
8 players per team — 4 women and 4 men, always competing together
A cylindrical basket mounted on a 3.5-metre post — no backboard
Players must pass or shoot — no dribbling allowed
A non-contact sport — skill and positioning win the day
After two goals, attack and defence zones switch — everyone plays both roles
Players can only be defended by someone of the same gender
Variants of the Game
Indoor korfball is played on a court similar in size to a basketball court, typically in sports halls. It's the most common form of the game in Scotland.
Outdoor korfball is played on a grass pitch, roughly the size of a football pitch. It's popular in the Netherlands and across Europe during summer.
Beach korfball is a fast-paced, smaller-team variant played on sand. It's growing in popularity as a summer festival sport.
Sounds good, right?
No experience needed — just turn up and give it a try. Your first session with Glasgow Korfball Club is completely free.
Join Glasgow Korfball Club