Korfball tournament checklist: organise the day step by step

A korfball tournament depends on more than a fixture list. You need the venue, canteen, teams, referees, volunteers and equipment ready at the same time, with a clear plan for registration and match control. This checklist takes you from setting the date through publishing the schedule, preparing food and drinks, and marking out the courts. Use it to spot the details that are often left until the last day, such as printed forms, charged devices and reserve balls.

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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

Set tournament date
2 people
Reserve the sports venue
Reserve the cafeteria
Determine the tournament format
2 people
Draw up the match schedule
2 people
Invite teams
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Contact referees
2 people
Assign volunteers
2 people
Confirm Final Teams
Publish the match schedule
Arrange prize money and trophies
Create a music playlist
Check the weather forecast
Print participant list
Print match forms
Do the shopping
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare snacks
3 people
Print team assignments
Collect materials
3 people
Open venue
2 people
Set out the field layout
4 people
Set up korfball posts
4 people
Number the fields
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up the registration table
2 people
Set up the cafeteria
4 people
Hang decorations
3 people
Test sound system
2 people
Set up first aid table
2 people
Brief the referees
2 people
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

Welcome the teams
4 people
Register teams
3 people
Give the opening speech
Supervise the first matches
8 people
Process results
2 people
Serve drinks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Manage competition materials
2 people
Announce rest periods
Check changing rooms
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Supervise the final match
5 people
Present prizes
3 people
Give a thank-you speech
Handle the final round of drinks
2 people
Guide the audience to the exit
2 people

Aftercare

Clear away sports equipment
4 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Remove decorations
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean the cafeteria
4 people
Clean changing rooms
2 people
Collect waste
3 people
Lock up the venue
2 people
Return materials
2 people
Store leftover stock
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Send results to teams

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Party tentsqty 2
Changing room benchesqty 8

Sports equipment

Korfball postsqty 8
Korfballsqty 12
Spare ballsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Field marking tapeqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Team bibsqty 80
Scoreboardsqty 4
Game clocksqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 4
Team bagsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 8
Blanketsqty 2

Equipment

Laptop
Tablet
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power banksqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Glassesqty 100
Mugsqty 40
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Scissorsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Team table numbersqty 8
Information boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Waste binsqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the tournament format before inviting teams. It determines how many matches, courts, referees, scoreboards and time slots you need, so changing it after registrations close creates avoidable work.
Close registrations early enough to confirm the final teams and publish the schedule before tournament day. Leave time to collect dietary requirements and assign volunteers to registration, scoring, catering and court duties.
Check every court setup before participants arrive: place the korfball posts, court-marking tape and cones, then test the match clocks, stopwatches, whistles and scoreboards. Keep reserve balls and spare batteries or power banks at the control table.
Prepare the paperwork in two sets: a participant list and team allocation for registration, plus printed match sheets for the officials. Bring a printer or laptop only as backup; paper copies keep the tournament moving if the Wi-Fi or power fails.
Finish catering preparations before the first match starts. Chill drinks, prepare snacks and set out cups, glasses, plates and cutlery in the canteen, while keeping a separate supply of water available for players and officials.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a korfball tournament?: Fix the date and reserve the sports venue and canteen at least 8 to 12 weeks ahead. Contact teams and referees early, then set a registration deadline several weeks before the tournament so you can publish a reliable schedule.
How many referees do I need for a korfball tournament?: Plan at least one referee for every match running at the same time, plus one or two substitutes for breaks, illness or delays. Add a coordinator if several courts are being used, so officials can get match sheets and timing information without leaving the court.
When should the korfball tournament schedule be published?: Publish the final schedule after registrations close and the teams are confirmed, preferably 3 to 7 days before the tournament. Print an extra copy for the registration desk and prepare match forms in the same order as the schedule.
What equipment do I need for a korfball tournament?: Allow for korfball posts, match balls and reserve balls, cones, court-marking tape, whistles, team bibs, scoreboards and match clocks for each active court. Also prepare stopwatches, printed forms, a laptop or tablet, extension leads, speakers and power banks so scoring and announcements can continue if equipment or power fails.

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.