Inside the Korfball at Newcastle University

If you’ve never heard of korfball, don't worry; you’re not alone. Newcastle University’s Korfball Club is working hard to change that, though. The mixed-gender Dutch sport is often described as a hybrid of netball and basketball, but that sells it short. Fast-paced, extremely tactical, and genuinely welcoming to beginners, korfball is quietly building one of the strongest grassroots communities on campus.

I spoke to Luka Patel, Events and Outreach Secretary to find out more about Korfball at Newcastle University.

Originating in the Netherlands, korfball is played in two halves: one attacking, one defensive. Each half has four players from each team — two men and two women — and players can shoot from anywhere in the attacking zone. You can’t move with the ball, there’s no backboard on the hoop, and crucially, you only mark players of the same gender. The sport is built around equality by design: controlled contact rules level out differences in physicality, creating a genuinely balanced team game.

If you are looking for a club that feels like family, then Newcastle’s Korfball Club leans hard into that ethos. “It’s one of the smaller sports clubs, so everyone knows each other,” members explain. “Even though we have teams split by ability, we always train together and socialise together.”

I asked what might confuse an outsider at training, and korfball did not disappoint: the shouting. Luka tells me “Calls are used constantly, and one of the main ones is ‘Party!’ — it means the defenders have won back possession.” If you don’t know the sport, it sounds like organised chaos.

It seems that the club’s social secretaries aren’t messing around, either. Weekly themes this year include Under the Sea, Mario Kart, and Rhyme Without Reason. But it’s not all clubbing and chaos.

The team also runs sober socials for those who don’t drink or can’t make Wednesday nights. “We want everyone to feel involved,” they say — and it shows.

While previous experience in netball or basketball might initially prove beneficial, it is not required to do well in korfball. In fact, "most of our members had never played before joining", Luka confirms for me. Training sessions cover everything from absolute basics to advanced tactics, and the structure means everyone develops at their own pace.

Korfball is a fast-growing sport in the UK, and it seems Newcastle is climbing right with it. The club's proudest moment this year? Finishing 8th nationally at BUCS - the club's highest placement in their history. They have also picked up multiple awards for their contribution to sport.

And the ambition for this season is clear: “Match or better our 8th-place finish.”

When I asked about their biggest rivals, Luka tells me it is the University of Leeds Korfball Team. The result is always a close one and the games are usually intense, though the competition is a friendly one.

There are a lot of sports on offer on campus, though. So why korfball?

Korfball seems to offer a mix that you won't find anywhere else: fast gameplay, truly balanced mixed teams, and a tight-knit community where meeting new people is almost guaranteed. The sport also opens doors - from the local leagues to national and international competitions. For example, the team recently played in the Nitro Tournament in Slovakia.

If you are a Newcastle student interested in getting started, the club runs taster sessions every September and January. If you can't wait until then, however, you can DM the club: @nclkorfball on Instagram.

The North East otherwise has two thriving korfball clubs, open to all ages and abilities. Part of the NEKA league, Northern Storm in Dunston, and Tyneside Titans in Jesmond.

Whether you're looking for a new sport, a new social circle, or something else entirely, korfball might be worth a shot.