Korfball Australia is pleased to announce the team for the upcoming 2018 Asia-Oceania Korfball Championships has been selected. The tournament, to be played just outside of Tokyo, Japan, kicks off on the 27th of July, and runs until the the 5th of August. Phil Sibbons reprises his role as National Head Coach after success at several recent tournaments, including a 5th place finish at last year’s World Games.

Team

Georgia Bungey (SA, Arista)
Bethan Channing (SA, Boomers)
Grace Cullen (SA, North)
Emily Hutchesson (SA, Glenelg)
Jessica May (Vic)
Josh Berney (SA, Boomers)
Nik Bungey (SA, Arista)
Andrew Hutchesson (SA, Arista)
Zac Marshall (SA, Arista)
Josh Prasad (SA, Boomers)
Ben Wallace (NSW, Newcastle)

 

The team combines a fantastic mix of youth and experience, with five players returning from last year’s World Games team. Georgia, Nik and Zac will all be making their senior debuts in Japan, while on the other end of the scale, Jess is returning for her 17th international tournament (13th senior), showing an amazing commitment to the National program. The final female position is yet to be finalised, and we look forward to filling the roster soon. The full team, and all National Team updates, can be found on the National Team page.

 

In addition, Sharyn Bungey has been appointed Team Manager of the National Team while the team is on tour. Sharyn is herself a well-respected former International player, and was also Team Manager for Australia’s most recent age-group team, at the 2015 U23 Asia Oceania Korfball Championships, held in Chinese Taipei. We thank Sharyn for volunteering her time once again, her contributions are invaluable.

 

The South Australian based members of the team are training together regularly, while the whole team assembled in early May for the first of several training camps prior to departing for Japan. These training’s are available for coaches and referees to observe, either in order to contribute towards qualification certificates, or simply to gain an understanding of the direction the National Team is heading in. The training schedule can be found on the National Team Training Calendar, which will be updated as information comes to hand.

 

Good luck to all team members, we wish you all the best for your training’s and tournament, and we know you’ll do Australian Korfball proud.