England Korfball Awards are decided based on nominations from members of the Korfball community. The strength and depth of these nominations has been truly outstanding and reflects what an amazing community and sport we are.
The Nominations Panel, consisting of Daivd Marshall England Korfball Chair, Sally More from the EK Competitions Committee and Chris Parkin, EK Office & Operations Manager, met to determine the winners. They were joined by contributions from Graham Crafter for the awarding of the Graham Crafter Korfball Award.
JAN HANEKROOT AWARD
The Jan Hanekroot Award, also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is presented for outstanding service to korfball, making a major contribution to korfball in England during that time.
The winners of this award have made a significant contribution to the sport in various roles from Chair of England Korfball to England Korfball Competitions Officer to National League Referee and Referee assessment and development.
From their club’s view point they have given up so much time to coach and develop the next generation.
This year’s winner of the Jan Hanekroot Lifetime Achievement Award from Croydon Korfball Club are ANNAE & PAUL JEANES
MARION ATKINSON AWARD OF HONOUR
The Marion Atkinson Award of Honour. This award is presented to an individual who has given outstanding service to korfball over an extended period of time, usually 10 years or more.
This individual has been nominated for their persistence, dedication and unwavering loyalty to Manchester Korfball Club and northern Korfball. Undertaking numerous roles and activities to ensure the existence of the club and the development of Korfball in the region for the last twenty years.
The winner of this award has also had a significant impact on refereeing in his area and nationally by refereeing National League and tutoring new referees in the northern regions.
The winner of the Marion Atkinson Award of Honour, from MANCHESTER Korfball Club, is DAVE ANSELL.
GRAHAM CRAFTER AWARD OF DISTINCTION
The Graham Crafter Award of Distinction is given to someone who has given excellent service to the development of korfball in England, usually over five years.
The winner of the Graham Crafter Award of Distinction this year undertakes a wide range of roles at their club. His keen eye for detail and proactive approach has greatly benefited the korfball community as a whole.
The winner of this year’s Graham Crafter Award of Distinction, from Manchester Hawks Korfball Club, is SALMAN RUKHSAR. Graham presented the award to Salman at the Senior Inter-Area in Nottingham.
FRANK SIEBER YOUTH KORFBALL
This award recognises a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to Youth korfball at a national or local level in the last two years.
This individual was nominated for their committed work with their club’s junior section alongside a proactive approach to engaging local primary schools.
The individual is also an integral part of the London Representative youth teams by coaching and managing at various age groups
The winner of this year’s Frank Sieber Youth Korfball Award from Nomads Korfball Club, is CLAIRE MILLETT. The award was presented to Claire by Frank’s son, Karl Sieber.
CLUB OF THE YEAR
The England Korfball Club of the Year is awarded to an open and inclusive club which has evidenced their commitment to the growing sport of korfball, upskilling their volunteers, and growing their membership.
This nomination stood out for the significant collaboration with a number of partners within the local community to grow the sport, as well as the in house club development which sees the club grow from strength to strength on and off the pitch as well as reaching the 2024/25 Grand Final!
This year’s England Korfball Club of the Year is BRISTOL THUNDER KORFBALL CLUB
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
This is presented to a volunteer under age 25 that has committed considerable time and effort to a club, community, or event, encouraging korfball participation and development.
The nominator felt that individual has given a lot to the sport since an early age and sets an example to her fellow piers as well as linking her club with the local schools.
The winner of the England Korfball Volunteer of the Year award is LIBBY THOMAS, Nomads Korfball Club.
UNIVERSITY STUDENT OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a student who has made a valuable commitment to their University Korfball club.
The winner of the University Student of the Year award has helped create a Korfball community working with beginners to introduce Korfball to them as well creating a vibrant social media presence for the club. The winner also plays a major role with the British Student Korfball team
The winner of this year’s University Student of the Year award, from University of Nottingham Korfball Club, is REBECCA HANKS.
TERRY SAGE FAIR PLAY AWARD
This award is made to the Premier Division club with the highest number of points which are awarded during the regular season by the match referee. Points are awarded based on a number of criteria; respect for opponents, respect towards the referee, behaviour of team officials, behaviour of the public.
This year’s winners are CAMBRIDGE TIGERS
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT
Korfball volunteers were selected by the panel to receive a Certificate of Merit. These volunteers have worked tirelessly to drive and develop korfball, and we would like to extend our thanks to them for their services to korfball.
- Lauren Taylor (Manchester Hawks)
- Louis Harrison (Leeds City Korfball)
- JJ Crowther (Manchester Hawks)