Asia Oceania Korfball Championship 2004
Christchurch - New Zealand 6-11 July 2004

Pioneer Leisure Centre - Lyttelton St - Spreydon

News Release - 6 July 2004 - Download PDF file

Welcome
Welcome to the 6th Asia Oceania Korfball Championships. Tonight’s first match between Australia and New Zealand is the first ever international Korfball match to be held in New Zealand.

This is only New Zealand’s second international korfball experience. Their first was at the Asia-Oceania Youth Korfball Championships in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria in 2003.

Australia on the other hand, have 20 years of international korfball behind them and finished in 7th place at last year’s World Championships. Two players in the Australian team to watch are Jeremy Harris and Jessica May. Aged 32, Jeremy has a wealth of international experience to draw upon as team captain at the 1999 and 2003 World Championships. Making their international debut are 22 year old James Tye, and husband and wife Jo and Leigh Prior.

Australia vs Chinese Taipei 6.45 Wednesday
Wednesday sees hot favourites Chinese Taipei against Australia. This is a team with great skills developed through a progressive age group system, which takes two are three young teams to Europe for high level competition each year. They have been playing international competitions for two decades and finished 4th at last years World Champs.

Invitational Team
Unfortunately Indonesia, the original fourth team in Asia Oceania Championships was forced to pull out of the event late last week. This has left a gap in the draw which has been filled by an Invitational Team. This team will consist of players from clubs in New Zealand, guests to New Zealand and a few players borrowed from the international squads.

The Invitational team will play each night after the first game has finished.

Spectators
Entry to the stadium to watch two games of international korfball is $5 a night or $15 for a season pass (4 nights and Saturday and Sunday matches). Remember to pick up a programme at the stadium for information on how the game is played.