Nottingham is fast becoming a hotbed for the sport of korfball. The Evening Post's BRYAN HENESEY reports.

GROWING up, I was always told never to throw anything at a girl's face.

That might explain my hesitancy when told to pass the ball as quick and hard as I could – and aim it at my female teammate's chin.

Nevertheless, I decided to go against my natural instincts and follow orders. I needn't have worried: she caught the ball and took a shot, which flew into the basket.

After 18 months as a "korfer" with Nottingham Magic Korfball Club, I'm still trying to master the sport.

Korfball is best described as a Dutch version of basketball or netball, played with mixed-sex teams.

There are four men and four women on each side – all aiming to get the ball into one of two korfs ("basket" in Dutch) which loom 11.5m over either end of the court.

The recipient of my unwitting assist was Amy Roberts, a korfball veteran of more than three years.

Amy, 24, of Beeston, took up the sport when she moved back to Nottingham after finishing university.

She said: "I wanted to get fit and meet new people so Magic and korfball seemed perfect.

"It's a really exciting, fast-paced game and is unique because it's the world's only true mixed sport.

"Three years on, I'm still really enjoying being a member of Magic and the korfball community, both on and off the court."

After two goals, the units switched sides – my chance to show-off my defensive skills.

I decided to try an unusual tactic to confuse my attacker – distract him by asking how he'd got into korfball.

My opponent, Tom Evans, 30, of Radford, said: "I took up korfball around 18 months ago for the exercise. At the time, though, I didn't realise just how well the game would suit me.

"The unique thHowing about korfball is the relaxed and inclusive atmosphere that comes from playing in mixed teams."

The city has three clubs: Nottingham Magic, Nottingham City Korfball Club, based at the Rushcliffe Arena, in West Bridgford; and one at the University of Nottingham. All three have teams that belong to the East Midlands Korfball Association and compete at regional and national level.

Nottingham Magic holds weekly training sessions at Bilborough College sports hall on Mondays, starting at 7.30pm. For more information, visit www.magickorfball.com

bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk