Raf - Riccarton's 'Mr Korfball'

Raf Ferreira is a member of the Mixx NZ U19 team heading to Taiwan. Raf first played korfball at intermediate school. When the chance came to play at Riccarton High School, he was all in. His commitment has paid off, and even though he finished school at the end of 2024, he’s back as a coach, passing on the korfball culture to the next generation.

 

What do you most enjoy about coaching korfball at school?

I love seeing the difference I can make, even after I’ve left school. Advocating for an entirely new sport to Riccarton High, keeping it alive within the school, and seeing new people join in, whether it be second hand experience or someone who heard a weird name and thought they’d check it out, it all ends up to being the difference that I can see that happens throughout the year for the teams and individuals that I coach.

 

What are the biggest challenges with establishing teams and introducing your schoolmates to korfball?

At first no one knew what korfball was and no one really wanted to commit when they had other alternatives, like volleyball. When the Mixx districts programme started, bringing skills and starting a community for the likes of primary and intermediate school children, then taking that trend through into high school, that was the basis that helped us build strength in korfball at school.

 

What help did the school give?

Riccarton High was a massive help from day one, organising and supporting coaches to sort out the trainings and get teams together, which was a good start to introduce korfball culture to school.

 

What is it like being ‘Mr Korfball’ at Riccarton High?

Being known as the all-out korfball guy, with that being my main commitment, I was always asked questions about korfball, what korfball was, and if it was similar to other sports, as well as being asked when trainings were, when games were and if they could join in.

 

You and Kayla Race have been a partnership establishing korfball at Riccarton High. How has that been?

We have had massive help from the likes of the sports co-ordinators, and Jena Johnston who is the teacher in charge of korfball. We work well together and have a good friendship. We rely on each other to decide what needs to happen to improve the team, and we talk to each other about plans for games and training. Although it’s been hard sometimes with dwindling numbers showing up to games or training, this year has been the opposite, and Kayla and I have seen a skyrocket to commitment among the players, which makes being coach so much easier and more enjoyable.

 

How does korfball connect with friendship for you?

Korfball and friendship go hand in hand. Unless you know who your team is and what everyone is capable of, team work is difficult. Having a school team really helps because most of the people in the team know each other and have already built a connection outside the sport, so that’s a really big help towards building a friendship within a sports team.

 

How has korfball at Riccarton High progressed since you started?

I have seen korfball grow from when it was a little classroom PE session with made up rules and just a fun game, all the way to what it is now and how I’ve become a part of it. With help from Mixx and planting that seed within primary and intermediate schools to drive the passion to play korfball, it’s no wonder that high school korfball has such a strong base.