KORF means "basket" in Dutch. Korfball was invented in Amsterdam in the early 1900s by schoolteacher Nico Broekhuysen.

Legend has it that he had been looking for a way to involve both boys and girls in a mixed, non-contact sport.

Inspired by ringboll, a Swedish game of passing, throwing and catching, he conceived korfball – a sport that is now played in over 50 countries.

The principles are similar to those of basketball or netball – players attempt to score points by getting the ball into a korf, or basket.

Boys, girls, men and women of all ages can play korfball as the game is not based on physical strength but on individual and team ability to outwit and outsmart your opponents.

Korfball is played on a rectangular field of play, indoors and outdoors.

Teams of eight players divide into two sections – two male, two female in each section. One section starts the game in attack, the other in defence. Sections swap roles and ends after every two goals have been scored.

In the UK, the sport is typically played indoors, with outdoor tournaments in the summer months.

The rules follow the team concept and prevent physical strength from dominating the game – and physical contact.

Blocking, tackling and holding your opponent are not allowed in korfball.

Like many team ball sports, passing, team interplay and creating space are encouraged and usually far more effective.