Korfball — Equality, Teamwork, and Rising Power from Taiwan

Korfball is a mixed-gender team sport that emphasizes equality, cooperation, and strategic movement. It was invented in the Netherlands in 1902 by a Dutch schoolteacher named Nico Broekhuysen. His vision was simple but revolutionary: to create a game that men and women could play together, equally.

At first glance, korfball looks a bit like a mix of basketball and netball. The goal is to throw a ball into a high basket — called a korf, the Dutch word for “basket.” But unlike basketball, there’s no backboard, and the game is entirely non-contact.

Each team consists of eight players — four men and four women. The court is divided into two zones: attack and defense. Players switch roles after every two goals, meaning everyone gets to play both offense and defense. You can’t dribble or run with the ball — only pass, pivot, and shoot. And here’s something important: men can only guard men, and women only guard women. This rule ensures a fair and respectful dynamic on the court.

The heart of korfball is teamwork and gender equality. No one player can dominate — in fact, you’re not even allowed to shoot if you’re being closely defended. This forces constant movement, intelligent passing, and true cooperation.

Korfball may not be as widely known as soccer or basketball, but its values are incredibly powerful — especially in a world where gender equality in sports is still a work in progress. It’s a sport that genuinely lives out the Olympic values of inclusion, respect, and fair play.

So where is korfball most popular?

The Netherlands remains the strongest nation in korfball and has dominated international competitions for decades. Belgium is another powerhouse, with a rich tradition in the sport. But here’s something that might surprise you — Taiwan is also one of the world’s top korfball countries.

Taiwan has consistently performed at a high level in international competitions, including the IKF U19 World Korfball Championship — one of the sport’s highest-level tournaments. In the most recent edition, Team Taiwan claimed the bronze medal, demonstrating exceptional skill, strategy, and spirit. For a country that many still don’t associate with korfball, this achievement is huge and deserves much more recognition.

Even though korfball doesn’t have a massive global audience, it represents something truly rare in the world of sports: a competition where men and women are equal, where cooperation is more important than domination, and where values matter as much as victory.

So next time you think about what sports stand for, remember korfball. It may be played quietly, but its message speaks volumes.