How to organise a korfball tournament from start to finish

Start by fixing the tournament date and reserving both the sports field and cafeteria. Then build the competition structure around the number of teams, secure referees, and open registration early enough to process dietary requirements and team assignments. Publish the programme only after registrations and fixtures are confirmed. In the final week, check equipment, volunteers, weather and catering; on the day itself, mark the fields and set up posts, tables and scorekeeping before teams arrive.

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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
Reserve the sports field
3
Reserve the cafeteria
4
Book referees
5
Draw up tournament rules
2 people
6
Create the match schedule
2 people
7
Send invitations
2 people
8
Open the registration form
9
Process registrations
2 people
10
Collect dietary requirements
11
Confirm registrations
2 people
12
Check team assignments
2 people
13
Publish the program
14
Assign volunteers
2 people
15
Print competition forms
16
Create floor plan
17
Order prizes
18
Check the weather forecast
19
Print participant list
20
Do the shopping
2 people
21
Check sports equipment
2 people
22
Set out prizes and medals
23
Mark out the korfball fields
4 people
24
Set up korfball posts
4 people
25
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
26
Set up competition table
2 people
27
Set up registration desk
2 people
28
Set up the catering area
3 people
29
Chill drinks
2 people
30
Prepare snacks
3 people
31
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
32
Hang up signage
2 people
33
Prepare first aid supplies
34
Run a sound check
2 people
35
Brief the referees
2 people

Event

36
Welcome the teams
3 people
37
Register attendance
2 people
38
Explain the tournament rules
39
Guide the opening race
2 people
40
Supervise races
8 people
41
Keep track of match scores
2 people
42
Serve snacks
3 people
43
Refill drinks
2 people
44
Refill coffee and tea
45
Empty trash bins
2 people
46
Process results
2 people
47
Lead the final
2 people
48
Present prizes
2 people
49
Support team departures
3 people

Aftercare

50
Gather sports equipment
4 people
51
Clear up the fields
4 people
52
Clean up catering
3 people
53
Wash dishes
3 people
54
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
55
Clean the venue
4 people
56
Dispose of waste
2 people
57
Return borrowed materials
2 people
58
Store leftover stock
2 people
59
Send results to participants

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Korfball postsqty 4
Korfball hoopsqty 4
Korfballsqty 12
Spare ballsqty 4
Field marking conesqty 40
Field linesqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 4
Team bibsqty 40
Pumpsqty 2

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Party tentsqty 2
Changing room benchesqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Outdoor spotsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50

Kitchen

Serving traysqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tournament banner
Trophiesqty 3
Medalsqty 40

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom and dustpanqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
First aid kit

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the date and venues before opening registration. Reserve the sports field and cafeteria first, then allow at least 6–8 weeks for invitations, registrations and fixture planning.
Create the rules and match schedule after you know the format and expected team count. Leave a 10–15 minute buffer between matches for substitutions, scores and delays.
Close registration at least 7 days before the tournament. Use the final list to confirm teams, dietary requirements, bib colours, the programme and the number of participant copies to print.
Assign volunteers by duty and time slot, not just by name. Have separate people covering registration, scoreboards, refreshments, equipment and field changes so one delay does not stop the tournament.
Complete the site check on the day before or early on tournament morning. Mark out the korfball fields, test posts, hoops, balls, whistles and scoreboards, and check extension cords, tents and the weather plan before teams arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a korfball tournament?: Start at least 6–8 weeks ahead. That gives you time to reserve the sports field and cafeteria, book referees, invite teams, process registrations and create a workable match schedule.
When should korfball tournament registration close?: Close registration about 7 days before the event. Use that final number to confirm team assignments, collect dietary requirements, publish the programme and prepare participant and competition forms.
How much time should I allow between korfball matches?: Allow 10–15 minutes between matches, depending on the format. This covers clearing the field, updating the scoreboard, changing teams and handling small delays without pushing the whole schedule back.
When should the korfball fields and equipment be set up?: Set up at least 60–90 minutes before the first match. Mark the fields, install the posts and hoops, check spare balls and pumps, and place tables, chairs and scoreboards before registration opens.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.