Part one of our look at Hybrid Sports was all about the physical and mental toughness of Chess-Boxing and the Gaelic-tinged sports of “Composite Rules Shinty-Hurling” and “International Rules Football”. Part two of this unique series will focus on a Dutch past-time; a South Pacific creation; and a little bit of horseplay. These hybrid sports may not be as well-known or popular (yet) as the ones they were inspired by; but they do have sold fan-bases and at least bring a different flavor to the sporting world.
Hybrid Sports: A Beginner’s Guide Part 2
Korfball
Founded in 1902 by Dutch school teacher Nico Broekhuysen, Korfball is said to derive from basketball and netball. The main reason for that could have been to allow mixed-gender teams that are eight per side (four male and four female). However, they also have all-female teams (all-male teams don’t have their own league). Another similarity is the objective of throwing the ball through a bottomless basket mounted on a high pole.
A Korfball match of two 35-minute periods with half time lasting ten minutes. Half of the players are in one zone while the other half are in the other zone. Even though men and women play together in mixed gender leagues; on-court duels can only be contested between players of the same sex.
Despite early criticism, Korfball featured as a demonstration sport in the 1920 and 1928 Olympics in Antwerp and Amsterdam. The International Korfball Federation (IKF) was founded in 1933 and has 67 national member associations. This eventually paved the way for the Korfball World Championship in 1978. It is played every four years, and the Netherlands have won all but one tournament. Since 1985, it has been a part of the World Games, an event for non-Olympic sports. The Dutch have won gold at every single one, with neighbours Belgium claiming all the silver medals.
Samoa Rules
Another mashing of two football codes. This time it’s Aussie Rules Football and Rugby Union but why the Samoan connection? The origins of the sport can be traced back to 1998 when the Rugby-playing nation hosted the Vailima Six-Shooters Championship, which was an Aussie Rules event played under Samoa Rules.
Elements taken from Rugby Union include the rectangular pitch and 15-a-side teams. Most other features come straight from Aussie Rules, apart from certain players being restricted to zones. Forwards can only operate in the attacking half while backs are restricted to to the defensive half. “Onballers” (midfielders) can go anywhere on the pitch.
Unfortunately, actual footage of Samoa Rules is scarce to say the least. Instead, here’s the Samoa national Aussie Rules team in action against Canada during the 2005 Australian Football International Cup.
Polocrosse
A combination of Polo and Lacrosse which is played outside in a field on horseback. This sport is open to anyone who can ride a horse but requires great skill and bravery from both humans and non-humans.
The game was developed in Australia during the Second World War by Mr and Mrs Edward Hirst of Sydney. It quickly grew in popularity throughout the country and has spread to other parts of the globe.
Teams are made up of six players divided into two sections of three, with one on the field at any given time. A typical match consists of four, zix or eight “chukkas” (periods) of six to eight minutes each. The two sections of the team alternate on and off the field between each chukka and each section has an attacker, a midfielder and a defender.
Each rider uses a cane or stick (like in polo) which is attached to a racquet head with a loose, thread net into which a small ball is carried. Teams can score goals by throwing the ball (using the stick) between the opposing team’s goal posts.
Confused? Don’t worry because this video will hopefully explain this sport a bit better.
Thanks for reading. Part three will cover Football Tennis, Footgolf and Footvolley as well as a slurry of inactive sports.
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