Korfball Timeline

1901: Korfball is devised as an outdoor sport by Amsterdam school teacher Nico Broekhuysen.

1903: Foundation of Dutch Korfball Association.

1919: First korfball match outside Europe, in Indonesia.

1920: Korfball demonstrated at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

1921: Foundation of the Belgian Korfball Association.

1923: First International match: Belgium v The Netherlands.

1924: Establishment of the International Korfball Bureau.

1928: Korfball demonstrated at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

1933: Foundation of the Federation Internationale de Korfbal (FIK).

1946: First korfball promotion tour in Europe. British Korfball Association founded.

1952: First indoor korfball matches in The Netherlands.

1967: First European Cup Tournament outdoor korfball national championships.

1970: Four FIK member countries in one continent.

1973: First international youth tournament (outdoor korfball) for national teams.

1976: First korfball promotion tour of the USA.

1978: First World Championships: 8 Participating countries.

1979: First world tour of korfball. First International Summer Course for Coaches in Papendal, The Netherlands.

1980: Eleven FIK member countries in four continents.

1981: First European Championships for national youth teams.

1982: The FIK changes its name to the International Korfball Federation (IKF).

1984: Second World Championships: 8 participating countries.

1985: 15 IKF member countries in 4 continents; Korfball is played at the World Games II in London (GBR); First European Cup tournament (indoor) for national champions.

1986: The IKF becomes a full member of the General Association of International Sports Federations.

1987: Third World Championships; 12 participating countries.

1989: Korfball is played at the World Games III in Karlsruhe (GER).

1990: First Asian/Oceanic Championships with 4 participating countries; Play-offs for the fourth World Championships.

1991: Fourth World Championships; 12 participating countries in final stages; Chinese Taipei becomes first non-European country to win a World Championship medal.

1992: 29 IKF member countries in four continents.

1997: The word "korfball" appears on BBC's word gameshow "Call My Bluff".

1998: 50th Anniversary of the London & District Korfball Association.

1999: Great Britain 3rd in World Championships in Adelaide, Australia.

2003: Centennial celebrations. Dutch win World Championships in Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam.