How to organise a korfball tournament from start to finish

A korfball tournament runs smoothly when the competition format, staffing and match-day logistics are fixed in that order. Start by booking the venue and deciding how many teams and pools it can handle. Then open registration, confirm referees and volunteers, and publish the schedule only after entries are closed. The details people often leave too late are dietary requirements, backup equipment, weather checks and clear arrival information for every team.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Set tournament date
2 people
2
Reserve the sports venue
3
Define the competition format
2 people
4
Divide into teams and pools
2 people
5
Draw up tournament rules
2 people
6
Contact referees
2 people
7
Recruit volunteers
2 people
8
Publish registration form
9
Send invitations
2 people
10
Social media promotion
11
Process registrations
2 people
12
Collect dietary requirements
13
Send participant confirmations
2 people
14
Create the match schedule
2 people
15
Finalize referee assignments
2 people
16
Create the volunteer schedule
2 people
17
Arrange prize money and trophies
18
Print competition forms
19
Share the floor plan and route
20
Check the weather forecast
21
Inventory sports equipment
2 people
22
Do the shopping
3 people
23
Freeze cooling packs
24
Assemble Race Packets
2 people
25
Wrap the prizes
26
Set out sports equipment
3 people
27
Check grounds and changing rooms
2 people
28
Mark out fields
4 people
29
Set up korfball posts
4 people
30
Check the goals and lines
2 people
31
Set up the reception desk
2 people
32
Set up catering table
3 people
33
Set up party tents
4 people
34
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
35
Hang decorations
2 people
36
Connect the sound system
2 people
37
Chill drinks
2 people
38
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
39
Prepare snacks
3 people
40
Place trash bins
2 people
41
Prepare first aid supplies
42
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

43
Welcome the referees
2 people
44
Register teams
3 people
45
Check team assignments
2 people
46
Inform team captains
2 people
47
Give the opening speech
48
Staff the competition desk
2 people
49
Supervise races
4 people
50
Process scores and standings
2 people
51
Distribute competition materials
2 people
52
Serve drinks
2 people
53
Serve snacks
2 people
54
Refill drinks
2 people
55
Refill coffee and tea
56
Empty trash bins
2 people
57
Check toilets
58
Check play areas in between
2 people
59
Announce finalists
60
Lead the final
3 people
61
Handle prize ceremony
2 people
62
See participants off
2 people

Aftercare

63
Gather sports equipment
4 people
64
Take down korfball posts
4 people
65
Clear up the fields
3 people
66
Catering breakdown
3 people
67
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
68
Take down party tents
4 people
69
Wash dishes
2 people
70
Collect waste
3 people
71
Clean the venue
4 people
72
Disconnect the sound system
2 people
73
Empty the coolers
2 people
74
Collect lost property
75
Lock up the venue
2 people
76
Publish results
77
Send thank-you message
78
Return rented materials
2 people
79
Store leftover stock
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 4
Tablecloth coversqty 8
Changing room benchesqty 8
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12

Sports equipment

Korfball postsqty 8
Korfball hoopsqty 8
Korfballsqty 16
Spare ballsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 40
Training bibsqty 40
Whistlesqty 10
Scoreboardsqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 8
Game clocksqty 8
Ball netsqty 4
Spare conesqty 10
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 8
Bandagesqty 2
Elastic bandagesqty 8
Thermal labelsqty 4
Score padsqty 8
Clipboard foldersqty 12
Pensqty 30
Markersqty 12
Lamination sleevesqty 50
Tournament wristbandsqty 100

Equipment

Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable power banksqty 4
Mobile phone chargersqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 20
Handheld megaphone
Cable reelsqty 3
Batteriesqty 24

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12
Pliersqty 6
Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable coffee cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Water jugsqty 8
Thermos cupsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Team table signsqty 16
Directional signsqty 8
Markersqty 12
Stage-free prize standard
Medalsqty 80
First-place cup
Second-place cup
Sportsmanship award cup
A4 printing paperqty 2
Tapeqty 6
Ropeqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Waste sorting binsqty 4
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Toilet brushesqty 4

Tips

Book the sports venue before opening registration, then set a firm registration deadline at least 10 to 14 days before the tournament. This gives you time to place teams in pools and resolve incomplete entries.
Choose the match format before making promises about start and finish times. Allow time between games for teams to change ends, referees to reset the score and volunteers to update the scoreboards.
Confirm referees and volunteers twice: once when they agree and again with their exact shift and pitch at least 5 days before the event. A volunteer roster with named replacements prevents gaps at registration, catering and scoring.
Prepare one match folder per pitch with printed match forms, the relevant rules, a stopwatch or match clock and a pen. Keep reserve balls, whistles, cones and marker discs in a clearly labelled central kit.
Check the weather forecast 48 hours before the tournament and share the final route, timetable and contact number with teams. Freeze cool packs the day before, test the microphone and sound system, and charge power banks and phones overnight.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a korfball tournament?: Start at least 8 to 12 weeks ahead if you need to reserve a sports venue, recruit referees and promote registration. Close entries 10 to 14 days before the event so you can make pools and publish a reliable schedule.
How many referees and volunteers do I need for a korfball tournament?: Plan at least one referee for every match running at the same time, plus one reserve for the tournament. For administration, catering and pitch support, schedule roughly one volunteer per active pitch and two people at the registration desk during arrival.
When should I make the tournament schedule?: Create a draft as soon as you know the available pitches and playing format, but finalise it only after registration closes. Send the confirmed schedule, route and arrival instructions no later than 5 to 7 days before the tournament.
What equipment should I prepare for a korfball tournament?: Count the equipment per pitch, including korfball posts, baskets, balls, scoreboards, stopwatches, whistles and cones, then add reserve balls and spare markers. Test the sound system, microphone, extension cables and power supplies at least one day beforehand.

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