Autumn 2020

Hello korfballers
Hopefully you are all well and have managed to have some fun this summer in spite of the restraints of Covid and lockdown. We are all missing korfball and looking forward to when we can start back and see all your smiling faces again. This newsletter is to update you and to let you know what is happening behind the scenes. 

Obviously, the last season was devastated by the sudden cancellation of many matches and the abrupt stop to all leagues. We are awaiting instructions from the EKA to see when we can restart training and games properly, but rest assured, the NCKC and NKA committees are on the case on your behalf. We hope to start some training sessions at the Sportspark soon, see below.

Exams
For our younger members, we hope that you had great results with your exam grades.
It has all been a bit of a mess but hopefully you have been able to get to the next stage that you want and this summer will fade into a distant nightmare eventually. But well done to all of you for seeing it through this far and congratulations if you got your grades.

Summer Camp
The Korfball Summer Camp was also sadly cancelled. This was due to be the first one in Norfolk but plans are afoot for next year. Just another sad casualty unfortunately.

Training and playing updates
We have been waiting for EKA guidelines to get playing started again. It has been very difficult to plan with changing guidelines and unavailability of venues and halls but we are hoping that we will be able to start using the Sportspark on Sundays from early October. 

Junior trainiing will run from 3.40pm to 4.40pm, followed by Senior training. We will also have to allow time before and after (as well as during) training for cleaning equipment. We are asking for people to volunteer (preferably non-players) to take care of some of the Covid-related duties to leave coaches and players free to train, so, possibly a parent or partner?

As soon as possible we and NKA will get team tournaments running until we can start the league again but we will have to follow official guidance. Clearly, we have to all be adaptable and be prepared for changes but we will do our best to get back to playing as soon as we can.
Please keep in touch with your coaches via WhatsApp and Facebook for news.

Norwich City Korfball Club AGM
We have planned an AGM on Zoom for Thursday 8 October at 8pm. If you would like to attend, there will be joining details and papers circulated nearer the date. Clearly no BBQ this year :-(

We are keen to get people involved in running the Club and you don’t have to be a player to help organise, coach or to volunteer to help in another role.

Fun Facts about NCKC members
We are also interested to know what you have been doing to keep fit over the summer as well as some Fun Facts about members. Bayley has put together some questions which we hope that you will answer so that we can post up some Fun Facts about our club members. You can fill in the form here at NCKC member survey form . It is quick and easy to do and will help us know each other a bit better. If you have any Lockdown photos of yourself and friends please send them in (ask friend’s permission first).

1st Team National League news
Big news was that the 1st team have been promoted to the Premier League of the England Korfball National League, joining Norwich Knights in the highest level of play in England, with Mark Goddard being the top scorer in the promotional league. 

Captain Bayley Woolridge said
“Norwich City 1st team have had an excellent season this year; undefeated in the National Promotion Division (South) as well as finishing at the top of the South East Regional League (although it did end prematurely!). The team showed fantastic determination and commitment all season and this has paid off with the team being promoted into the National League next season! Great effort by all and good luck for the upcoming season. Special thanks must go to Rob and Matt for coaching this year.” 

Coach Rob Bloomer said ‘As with the rest of the club, the 1st team’s season was cut short by league freezes, which left four regional league games unplayed. Fortunately the team did the hard work early on, and finished as the England Korfball League Promotion Division South and East Champions, going 6 wins from 6 in the competition.

In the South East Regional League, City was top of the table with four games to play at the point of lockdown. The teams’ overall performance was 17 wins, 1 draw and just two losses in 20 games this season.
Due to the final positions, Norwich City has been invited to participate in the England Korfball Premier Division for the next season. Congratulations to the whole team. Honourable mentions for performances go to relative newcomer Mark Goddard for leading not just Norwich, but both leagues in scoring, and Captain Bayley Wooldridge for leading the team’s defensive efforts. Bring on the Prem!
Congratulations to the squad who have worked so hard to get there and good luck for the next season – whenever we can play.

As a result of the 1st Team’s promotion, the 2nd team will be competing in the South East Regional League (SERL) once the season can start up again and so Norwich City has proved itself at the highest levels of korfball in England as well as growing in the lower divisions, with Norwich City 4 and Norwich City 6 topping their divisions. City 3 and City 5 were also close to the top of their divisions, but of course all games were not played. The results stand as they were when the Lockdown started - you can see the full tables here http://www.norfolkkorfball.co.uk/tables/