This week I sat down with Korfball captain Harriet Knights to find out more about the nature of her niche sport, the highs and lows of captaincy, and some of her unfortunate clubbing experiences…

For those who don’t know, what actually is Korfball?

Korfball is a Dutch sport, often described as a cross between basketball and netball. It’s a mixed gender sport with all players taking on attacking and defending roles which makes it a lot of fun.

Is it easy for beginners to join Korfball?

Yes! Most people haven’t heard of korfball before joining the society so we are completely beginner friendly, and will teach all the basics. We run sessions with “Give it a Go” on Saturday mornings which are open to everyone, and if you want to get involved further you can drop us a message on Instagram, @camunikorfball

Who is your sporting idol?

“I actually think playing sports makes it easier to balance work!”

For my first two years with CUKC, we were coached by Cambridge alumni Bethany South who no longer coaches us but still plays korfball for Cambridge City. I really look up to her as a player, especially since she captained the team while she was at Cambridge, she is amazing to watch and her competitive spirit is inspiring.

What is your best and worst sporting moment?

My best sporting moment was probably scoring the equaliser against Oxford at varsity this year, especially since it was in Cambridge so lots of my friends and family came to watch! My worst sporting moment was playing Varsity 2024 on a twisted ankle and then going clubbing in Oxford, only to wake up and not be able to walk, and having the rest of the team carry me around all day.

Do you have any pre-match rituals?

“As for varsity, I see a win in our future…”

I think a loud hands in at the start of the match and lots of high fives really sets the tone for the game.

What is the best and worst bit about being captain?

The best part is unlocking my competitive side to drive everyone throughout the match. I like to be very vocal on the pitch and constantly high fiving after each possession to keep the morale high. The worst bit about being captain is spamming people on WhatsApp about their availability!

How do you manage to balance sport and work?

I actually think playing sports makes it easier to balance work! It’s great to have dedicated breaks set aside, and then I can manage my time around that and complete work beforehand. It’s also a great way to completely switch your brain off, so you’re not thinking about anything academic.

What does a typical training session look like for you?

Training usually involves a warm up, followed by several drills focussing on a particular skill / tactic. Then we go into game play at the end, where we try to implement the skills we’ve been working on in the session.

Do you have any predictions for the upcoming season?

Last season we got promoted to Division 1 of the Cambridgeshire league so the matches are a lot harder, but our team is strong and we’ve already come out with some great results, so I think we will keep this up and solidify our place in this division for next year. As for varsity, I see a win in our future…