Can korfball facilitate mixed-PE in the UK? the perspectives of junior korfball players

Journal article


Gubby, L. 2018. Can korfball facilitate mixed-PE in the UK? the perspectives of junior korfball players. Sport, Education and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2018.1519506
AuthorsGubby, L.
Abstract

Korfball was invented in a mixed Primary School in Amsterdam in the early 1900s (IKF, 2006; Summerfield and White, 1989). The main catalyst for the development of korfball was a need for a competitive mixed sport that relied on cooperation and meant boys and girls could participate on a level playing field (Summerfield and White, 1989). Previous research into gender in physical education (PE has found that young people gain gender-related understandings through PE (Azzarito, 2009; Azzarito and Solomon, 2009; Azzarito and Solomon, 2010; Chalabaev, et al., 2013; Wright, 1995). Thorne (1993) argues that to remove binary thinking and notions of hegemonic masculinity and femininity, PE lessons should promote equality between girls and boys, reflect cooperation and teamwork between all, and demonstrate to students that gender inclusivity is achievable.

This paper will consider findings from a larger ethnographic study, in order to discuss how junior korfball players understand gender within their individual PE settings. It will also seek to discover whether players believe gender discourses can be negotiated in PE through the use of korfball. Players frequently referred to the limitations of their current PE experiences and suggested that the mixed element of korfball could provide opportunities for boys and girls to come together in PE. Players described how the structure of the korfball game reflects a need to use both sexes, which could improve mixed PE lessons. Players also discussed preconceived ideas about boys’ games and girls’ games, which led to problematic actions and interactions in current mixed PE settings. Findings suggest that embodied practices which demonstrate the abilities of girls as well as boys, could lead to resistance of dominant discourses which reinforce gender difference and the physical inferiority of girls. They might provide a space which alters dominant discourse often reproduced in PE and sporting environments.

Year2018
JournalSport, Education and Society
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN1357-3322
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2018.1519506
Publication dates
Online10 Sep 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited30 Aug 2018
Accepted30 Aug 2018
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/88w5q/can-korfball-facilitate-mixed-pe-in-the-uk-the-perspectives-of-junior-korfball-players

Download files

  • 114
    total views
  • 307
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Using sensory methods for researching disability in physical education.
Brighton, J., Powis, B. and Gubby, L. 2024. Using sensory methods for researching disability in physical education. in: Maher, A. J., Haegele, J. and Coates, J. (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Qualitative Methods for Researching Disability in Physical Education London Routledge, Taylor and Francis.
Sexism, abuse and threatening behaviour: experiences of women football referees in amateur and semi-professional men’s football in the UK
Gubby, L. and Martin, Shannon 2024. Sexism, abuse and threatening behaviour: experiences of women football referees in amateur and semi-professional men’s football in the UK. Sport, Education and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2024.2324376
"If I see a man walking alone without a dog, without a person, I always feel a bit uneasy": Safety perceptions of female trail runners
Gubby, L. 2022. "If I see a man walking alone without a dog, without a person, I always feel a bit uneasy": Safety perceptions of female trail runners.
The importance of an organic process in ethnographic research: Working with children in a physical activity setting
Gubby, L. 2021. The importance of an organic process in ethnographic research: Working with children in a physical activity setting . Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. 28 (2), pp. 109-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1955096
Learning about bodies and the lived consequences
Hornsey, R. and Gubby, L. 2020. Learning about bodies and the lived consequences. Journal of Sociology. 57 (4), pp. 935-949. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783320978704
#Greatcoaching within sport
Howells, K., Gubby, L., Dray, K. and Mills, H. 2019. #Greatcoaching within sport. Expert Comments
#BalanceforBetter within sport
Howells, K., Gubby, L., Dray, K. and Mills, H. 2019. #BalanceforBetter within sport. CCCU website Media Department.
'Fat' bodies: where do they stand?
Gubby, L. and Hornsey, R. 2019. 'Fat' bodies: where do they stand? 3rd Annual Learning and Teaching Conference and Scholarship Day (Faculty of Education). Canterbury Christ Church University 07 Feb 2019
Iron girl – patronising or inclusive?
Howells, K. and Gubby, L. 2019. Iron girl – patronising or inclusive? CCCU website Canterbury Christ Church University.
Resisting dominant gender discourse in physical education
Gubby, L. 2018. Resisting dominant gender discourse in physical education. Scholarship Day: Critical Pedagogies. Canterbury Christ Church University 01 Feb 2018
Does korfball have the potential to resist current gender discourses in PE?: perspectives of junior korfball players
Gubby, L. 2018. Does korfball have the potential to resist current gender discourses in PE?: perspectives of junior korfball players.
Castle’s competition model for building confidence and competence in action
Castle, N., Howells, K. and Gubby, L. 2018. Castle’s competition model for building confidence and competence in action.
The impact of wellbeing on the physical activities of occupational therapy (OT) for a child with dyspraxia
Power, L., Howells, K. and Gubby, L. 2018. The impact of wellbeing on the physical activities of occupational therapy (OT) for a child with dyspraxia.
What is the impact of wellbeing on the physical activities of occupational therapy for a child with dyspraxia?
Power, L., Howells, K. and Gubby, L. 2017. What is the impact of wellbeing on the physical activities of occupational therapy for a child with dyspraxia?
We need a revived importance of PE to help children be active
Gubby, L. 2018. We need a revived importance of PE to help children be active.
This girl can
Gubby, L. 2018. This girl can.
Embodied learning through climbing
Gubby, L. 2018. Embodied learning through climbing. Sport and Body Cultures Embodied Thought of the Month.
We need more female role models in sport to inspire the next generation
Howells, K., Gubby, L., Dray, K. and Mills, H. 2018. We need more female role models in sport to inspire the next generation. Canterbury Christ Church University.
Sporting equality and gender neutrality in korfball
Gubby, L. and Wellard, I. 2017. Sporting equality and gender neutrality in korfball. in: Channon, A., Dashper, K., Fletcher, T. and Lake, R. (ed.) Sex Integration in Sport and Physical Culture: Promises and Pitfalls London Routledge.
Embodied practices in korfball
Gubby, L. 2015. Embodied practices in korfball. in: Wellard, I. (ed.) Researching Embodied Sport: Exploring Movement Cultures London Routledge. pp. 86-100
Embodied learning through HIIT
Gubby, L. and Wellard, I. 2017. Embodied learning through HIIT. Sport and Body Cultures Embodied Thought of the Month.
Can sport provide a space for gender equality?: A qualitative study of children who play korfball
Gubby, L. 2016. Can sport provide a space for gender equality?: A qualitative study of children who play korfball. PhD Thesis Canterbury Christ Church University Faculty of Education
Sporting equality and gender neutrality in korfball
Gubby, L. and Wellard, I. 2015. Sporting equality and gender neutrality in korfball. Sport in Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2015.1096261
Shorts and Skorts: Endeavouring to Eliminate Difference on the Korfball Pitch
Gubby, L. 2013. Shorts and Skorts: Endeavouring to Eliminate Difference on the Korfball Pitch.
The historical contextualisation of korfball
Gubby, L. 2011. The historical contextualisation of korfball.
'Gender, What's that?': Working together and eliminating gender difference in junior korfball
Gubby, L. 2013. 'Gender, What's that?': Working together and eliminating gender difference in junior korfball.
Mind the Gap: An analysis of how quality assurance processes influence programme assessment patterns
Jessop, T., McNab, N. and Gubby, L. 2012. Mind the Gap: An analysis of how quality assurance processes influence programme assessment patterns. Active Learning in Higher Education. 13 (2), pp. 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787412441285
Current discussions on the pressures for, and the potential impacts of, korfball being awarded entry into the sport-gender-media nexus
Gubby, L. 2012. Current discussions on the pressures for, and the potential impacts of, korfball being awarded entry into the sport-gender-media nexus.
Space frontiers for new pedagogies: a tale of constraints and possibilities
Jessop, T., Gubby, L. and Smith, A. 2011. Space frontiers for new pedagogies: a tale of constraints and possibilities. Studies in Higher Education. 37 (2), pp. 189-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2010.503270
The influence of reputation information on the assessment of undergraduate student work
Batten, J., Batey, J., Shafe, L., Gubby, L. and Birch, P. 2013. The influence of reputation information on the assessment of undergraduate student work. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education. 38 (4), pp. 417-435. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2011.640928
The engagement of further and higher education with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Weed, M., Wellard, I., Dowse, S., Mansfield, L., Swain, J. and Gubby, L. 2011. The engagement of further and higher education with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Podium.