The Mayor and Darren introduce the tournament.
Oxley Park School hosted this summer’s schools korfball tournament in front of international korfball stars.
Norwich Knights’ Premier League player Charlie Vogwill has been playing korfball since he was at primary school. Ten years later he plays for Great Britain and next month goes to the World Games in Taiwan with the national side.
Charlie, and his Knight’s team mate Joe Stirling, gave a hand refereeing at the tournament and he was very impressed with what he saw. Charlie said ‘I started playing in Norwich when I was 8 years old. The schools
set up in Norwich is excellent and this has helped Norwich to build one of the country’s top senior teams and has helped me get into the Great Britain team and play around the world. But what I have seen in Milton Keynes is far better than what we had in Norwich when I started. There is a lot of enthusiasm and a great deal of talent’.
The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Euan Henderson, opened the tournament. Cllr Henderson said he was impressed with the achievements of the MK Youth Korfball Programme, MKX. In the last year 27 schools have taken up korfball and more than 2,500 children have started playing.
Champions Oakgrove School with England player Charlie Vogwill.
On the day, Oakgrove won the secondary school tournament beating Walton High into second place. There were strong performances from Shenley Brook End and Lord Grey schools as well. Oakgrove were the winners of the schools indoor tournament back in November.
In the primary schools tournament the top sides were only separated by
goal difference after 7 matches each. The eventual winners were Great
Horwood Primary with Wavendon Gate and Orchards of Springfield in second
and third places respectively. The other teams competing were Newton
Longville, Meadfurlong, Langlands, Oxley Park and Drayton Park.
A Great Horwood player tries to block an Orchard School pass.
Korfball continues to grow in the city thanks to the support of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Awards for All and the Bucks and MK Sports Partnership.
MKX run clubs on Thursdays at 5pm at Bletchley College and Fridays at 5pm at Oakgrove Leisure Centre. Sessions are for 8-14 year olds and new players are welcome. Go to www.mkxkorfball.wordpress.com for more details.
This summer MKX will take teams to events around the country including National Youth Day. Closer to home MKX will appear at Korfstock on 18th July which takes place at Woughton Playing Fields. Korfstock will have 50 adult teams and 25 youth teams competing plus there will be a family fun day and music event.
MKX is keen to work with more schools next year. Any school interested should email youth@mkkorfball.co.uk
