The League Commences!
The 2016-17 Scottish Korfball League kicked off in style last Sunday with three exciting Division 1 matches taking place. Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall Sports Centre played host to Glasgow 1, Northern Storm and Saint Andrews University 1. Both Glasgow and Northern Storm split the available points, coming away with a win and a draw. This means Northern...
Coaching Course Round-Up
Scotland Korfball’s head coach Johan Oosterling led a Coaching Clinic this weekend to over 30 eager attendees. Held at the new Performance Centre at Oriam in conjunction with the National squad training weekend, the course was designed to give an introduction to the techniques, philosophy and processes used by Oosterling. Those in attendance will be able to take back...
New Season, New Look
The launch of any new korfball season is always an exciting time, and a time that is full of change. Experienced players discover whether they have finally gotten that place on the first team, new players are snapped up by city and university teams alike, and the wise old coaches change up their training plans...
Coaching Course Announcement
Calling all coaches, aspiring coaches and players keen to develop their game! The SKA are pleased to announce our Coaching Course with the Scotland National Team Coach, Johan Oosterling, on the 18th of September 2016. The course will be the first Scottish Korfball Association event to be held at the new home of Scottish Korfball...
European Qualification 2016 – Slovakia
(Written by Daniel Pratt. Edited by Ella Paul and Katie Beadle.) The Scotland National team recently competed in the ‘IKF European Korfball Championship Round 1 East’ tournament with the main objective of qualifying for the 2018 European Championships. After training camps in Holland, London and extensive training in Edinburgh, the squad were preparing well. A...
Your SKA Committee
As elected at the SKA AGM in mid-April, here is your SKA Committee and their contact details. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and let us know your thoughts on anything and everything to do with Scottish Korfball. Management Committee Members Chair: Daniel Pratt (chair@scotlandkorfball.co.uk) Treasurer: Jean Fourie (treasurer@scotlandkorfball.co.uk) Secretary: Alison Scott (secretary@scotlandkorfball.co.uk) League:...
Johan Oosterling on the European Korfball Championship
“As the head coach I am very pleased with the progress we’ve made so far. We have a fantastic platform now with Mary Cooper as team manager, new assistant coach Bas Harland from KV Die Haghe in Holland and also a further commitment from Total Aircare our sponsors with all new training and presentation kit...
Squad Announcement – IKF European Korfball Championship 1st Round East
Head coach, Johan Oosterling, has selected his Scotland squad for the first round of the IKF European Korfball Championship 2016. He has praised the entire squad for the progress they have shown throughout several training weekends in Edinburgh, London, and the Netherlands (thank you to PKC for their hospitality), and says he is delighted with the motivation and...
The Scotland Squad – Helena Guest
Name: Helena Guest Current Club: Northern Storm Korfball Club Previous Clubs: Edinburgh University Korfball Club How long have you played korfball: 6 and a half years First memory of playing korfball: No idea, the first year was pretty much a confusing blur! What are your hopes for yourself and Scotland in the future: To improve...
The Scotland Squad – Joanna Cook
Name: Joanna cook Age: 38 Current Club: Norwich Knights Previous Clubs: None How long have you played korfball: 10 years approx First memory of playing korfball: turning up to my first training session, not really knowing what I was doing and then being asked to play in a match that weekend. What are your hopes...
The Scotland Squad – Jamie Smith
Name: Jamie Smith Age: 21 Current Club: Trojans KC Previous Clubs: Ely Vikings KC How long have you played korfball: 10 years First memory of playing korfball: I began playing Korfball at my first year at high school. One day after school there was a coach running a training session in our sports hall, so me...
The Scotland Squad – Thijs Lepelaar
Name: Thijs Lepelaar Age: 19 Current Club: Edinburgh University Previous Clubs: LCKC Pernix (The Netherlands) How long have you played korfball: 13 years, I started in the youngest age group at Pernix at the age of six. First memory of playing korfball: Saturday morning outdoor trainings, these didn’t even have that much to do with actual...
Scotland Squad in Training for EKC Qualifiers
Last weekend the Scotland squad travelled to south London for training matches against Trojans KC, who are competing for the English National League title in the playoffs this weekend. The trip was part of an intensive training schedule in preparation for the European Korfball Championship qualifying tournament in Slovakia in June. Scotland will face Serbia...
The Scotland Squad – Ross Thomson
Name: Ross Thomson Current Club: Edinburgh University Previous Clubs: None Best Experience playing for Scotland? None yet. I’m hoping to make some. How long have you played korfball? 1 year. First memory of playing korfball? Going past someone at club training for my first runner. That’s when I caught the bug. What are your hopes...
The Scotland Squad – Jen Merritt
Name: Jen Merritt Current Club: Edinburgh Mavericks Previous Clubs: Edinburgh University How long have you played korfball? 4 years First memory of playing korfball? Shooting in a Freshers week demo in a squash court at Edinburgh Uni. I liked that the balls were blue and yellow. What are your hopes for yourself and Scotland in...
Mavs Promo Video Goes Live!
Edinburgh Mavericks have today released a new promotional video to encourage people to #FINDKORFBALL. The film, which Mavs hope will attract new players to the club, came together in November 2015 when award-winning Director, Bjorn Tobiasson, found space in his packed schedule and agreed to jump on board the project. The film takes a slightly...
The Scotland Squad – Dan Pratt
Up next in our series, it is Dan Pratt. Name: Daniel Pratt Years played: I’ve just worked out it’ll be 20 years soon. Are there players in the squad who weren’t born when I started playing? Club: Edinburgh City Previous Clubs: Croydon, Velocitas, Trojans Career Highlights: Winning regional and national championships with Trojans last year. Captaining...
Vacancy: National Team Manager
National Team Manager The SKA are seeking to appoint, on a voluntary basis, a National team manager. The National team manager will act as a link between the national team, coach and the SKA, as well as supporting the national coach. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to work with the national team...
The Scotland Squad: Natasha Lynch
Name: Natasha (Tash/Tasha) Lynch Current club: Edinburgh Mavericks Previous club: Edinburgh University Best experience playing for Scotland: I have had a lot of great experiences putting on the Scotland strip but having a training session with top Dutch club PKC and playing against international superstars was pretty amazing. How long...
IKF announces pools for EKC Round 1
The International Korfball Federation has confirmed the pools for the EKC Round 1. Pool 1 (Slovakia): Germany (9), Poland (13), Scotland (18), Slovakia (21), Serbia (22), Greece (30), Armenia (34) Pool 2 (France): Catalonia (7), Turkey (19), Ireland (20), Wales (23), France (25), Sweden (27) Two teams from each pool qualify for the IKF EKC...
The Scotland Squad: John Wright
The first national squad player introduction of 2016, John Wright: Name: John Wright Current club: Edinburgh Mavericks Previous club: Edinburgh University Best experience playing for Scotland? Every time I’ve worn the Scotland kit is a special moment for me whether it be playing at European Qualifiers, the u-23 World Cup, or playing in exhibition matches....
Inter-club conference (10/1/16)
The SKA will be hosting its first inter-club conference of 2016, from 10:30am on Sunday, Jan 10th. Topics for discussion will include the SKA’s role, priorities and organisation, as well as a few aspects of the current league rules and fixture scheduling. It promises to be an interesting meeting: all clubs are welcome to send as many representatives as...
The Scotland Squad: Emma Stanley
Continuing the introduction of the Scotland Squad with Emma Stanley. Being one of the longest serving internationals, joining at the age of 15 in 2007 I have represented Scotland in many competitions, including two EuroBowl competitions and the Four Nations tournament in Luxemburg, as well as having a major role in the recent Europeans. I began...
The Scotland Squad: David Wiseman
Name: David Wiseman Current Club: University of Bedfordshire/Cambridge City/Dundee Previous Clubs: N/A Best Experience playing for Scotland? My best experience playing for Scotland would have to be the very first win which was against the England U19’s in the Home Nations. The Home Nations Tournament as a whole was a great experience, like scoring...
The Scotland Squad: Ella Paul
In a new regular feature on our website, we will introduce the newly selected International Squad. We started with Captain Kyle Crombie last week, next up is Ella Paul… Name: Ella Paul Age: 23 Current club: Edinburgh City Previous club(s): Edinburgh University Why did you start playing korfball? Everyone goes through an experimental phase at university, right?...
The Scotland Squad: Kyle Crombie
In a new regular feature on the website, we get the lowdown on the current Scotland squad ahead of their important 2016 international fixtures. This week, it’s the Captain, Kyle Crombie Name: Kyle Crombie Star sign: Scorpio Age: 28 Past Clubs: Edinburgh University Club: Northern Storm Years Playing: 8 Kyle on: Scotland “I...
Christmas Hat Tournament (12/12/2015)
UPDATE – seemed to be a success… 34 players, 4 teams, fantastic turnout by Northern Storm. David Wiseman won the World Cup, some Elves won the tournament and the quiz, and some people with very little taste won the Hat competition, A few photos below. The SKA is hosting a Christmas Hat Tournament in Edinburgh on Saturday, 12th December. This will...
Scotland Squad Announcement
Following national team trails held in Edinburgh on the 21st November, Scotland Head Coach Johan Oosterling has named his 22-person squad for the forthcoming European Qualifiers and international tournaments. The squad was chosen following a successful trial at the Crags Centre in Edinburgh, with more than 50 players from the Scottish league and further afield...
Scotland National Team Trials
The SKA are looking to hold trials for the Scotland National Team on Saturday the 21st of November 2015 from 11.30 till 3.30 at Crags centre in Edinburgh. This is the moment we kick off our new international cycle with the selection of the Scotland Korfball Squad for the Euro Bowl and ultimately the European...
Oosterling Appointed National Coach
Johan Oosterling has been appointed as Beth Bennet's successor and will lead Scotland to the European Championship qualifiers.
Vacancy: National Team Coach
Update: The deadline to apply for this role has been extended to 5pm on 5th September. The Scottish Korfball Association is seeking to appoint, on a voluntary basis, an experienced and talented individual to the role of National Team Coach for the Scottish national korfball team. The individual appointed will be expected to begin...
The Beth Bennett Award
It’s Volunteers’ Week, a time of year where those who give up their time for nothing can be recognised. Earlier this year, we recognised one particular volunteer – Beth Bennett, the coach of the National Team- by awarding her with a prize named in her honour. The Beth Bennett Award for Outstanding Services to Scottish...
New SKA Constitution and Committee
At the AGM on 18th April, the SKA membership voted to adopt the new constitution proposed by the committee. The following were elected to serve on the new committee: Andy Harrow (Glasgow), Annabel Grout (St Andrews University), Ian Volante (Edinburgh Mavericks), Michael Nicholson (Dundee), Nicol van Rijbroek (Glasgow), and Nigel Cooper (Dundee). The committee met...
SKA statement on appeals outcome for protests
As outlined in previous SKA statements, the Scottish Korfball Association engaged a panel of vounteers from across the korfball community to review two indpendent protest decisions raised by Northern Storm and Dundee 1 against Edinburgh City 2 in December 2014. The appeals panel were provided with statements from each of the clubs involved in...
SKA Statement: Protests
2014/15 League Rules For the 2014/15 season the Scottish Korfball Association AGM instituted a new system for managing team selection and the issue of ‘playing up’ and ‘playing down’. Under the 2014/15 league rules (see SKA Policy Library, League Secretary emails passim.) the previous system of ‘star players’ was revoked, as agreed by majority at...
February 2015 division split & player update
Before the first rounds of the post-split Scottish Korfball Leagues (set out below), some updates on leading player stats after the pre-split fixtures. Scottish Korfball League Division A Edinburgh City 1 Edinburgh Mavericks 1 Edinburgh University 1 Glasgow 1 Scottish Korfball League Division B Dundee 1 Edinburgh Mavericks 2 Northern Storm St Andrews 1 Scottish...
Scotland squad announced for Inter-Areas 2015
Scotland Coach Beth Bennett has announced the latest Scotland international squad for the upcoming Inter Area tournament: Girls Nicol van Rijbroek (Glasgow) Emma Stanley (Edinburgh City) Jo Cook (Norwich Knights) Helena Guest (Northern Storm) Laura McLean (Glasgow) Katie Beadle (St Andrews) Boys Daniel Pratt (Trojans) Kyle Crombie (Northern Storm) Caspar Volkar (St Andrews) Craig Stephen...
Scotland star joins the Scottish Korfball League
Edinburgh korfball clubs were in competition recently to recruit long-standing Scottish international squad member, Emma Stanley. Stanley is one of the longest serving internationals, joining at the age of 15 in 2007. She was too young to join the initial trip to the Commonwealth Championships in South Africa but has represented Scotland in many competitions,...
Referee development update
The SKA is making progress with its referee development programme (see this link), with an intention of enabling all league games to be refereed by people with appropriate experience and/or qualifications. In brief: “top-end” league matches are supposed to be reffed by Level 3 refs, or by Level 2’s who are striving to become Level 3’s, “lower-end” matches...
Scottish Korfball Leagues: January Update
The first rounds of Scottish korfball in 2015 have been played, and as such it is time for an update on the leagues thus far: