Korfball is the only mixed team sport in the world. This makes the sport unique in it’s form, but it also causes some problems in further international development. Although the sport is being played in countries off a big variety of cultures, religions and geography it finds itself in a niche market mainly concentrated in the developed countries and east Asia.

 

Until now the sport of korfball is mainly dominated by the Dutch. This is caused by it's history, being developed in the Netherlands and promoted mainly as a grass roots sport. In other countries Korfball is now quickly developing itself as an international, competitive, sport. Some of the strong developing countries include China, Russia, Czech Republic and Chinese Taipei.

Mr Broekhuysen simplified the rules for his Dutch students and adjusted the game to the Dutch co-educational system of mixed classrooms. As you can guess, this game became quite popular with his students and they began forming clubs in and around Amsterdam. However not everybody was fund of the mixed gender quality of this sport. The term “Korfball is a monster, that extends it's claws into all directions” was mentioned in a now unknown newspaper.

 

As a result of the students attempts the first official korfball club was erected in Amsterdam in the year 1903, this club still exists and after a merger several years ago, they are now known as AW-DTV, the club still plays near their original club grounds in Amsterdam. The oldest korfball club in The Netherlands that has not gone through a merger is known as ALO and was established in 1906, this club is situated in The Hague between the old city center and Kijkduin.