At the 4th Avenue Beach indoor sand courts in Seattle’s Industrial District, about fifteen athletes gathered recently for a regional talent identification camp organized by US Beach Korfball. The event marked a modest but enthusiastic beginning for a sport that blends the courtcraft of basketball with a unique no‑dribbling rule.
Bill Johnson, a former professional basketball player, now leads these camps, using his court experience to guide newcomers through the fundamentals of korfball. His co‑founder, Ashley Graham, also a former pro, discovered the sport during the COVID‑19 pandemic and has since been instrumental in shaping the program’s direction.
Korfball, invented in the Netherlands in the early 1900s, is played by teams of four and emphasizes precise passing, movement and strategic positioning, eschewing the dribble that dominates many indoor court sports.
A Pandemic Discovery
Johnson and Graham first encountered korfball while seeking safe, socially distant activities during the pandemic. Their curiosity quickly turned into a mission to build a U.S. squad capable of competing on the world stage.
Their early efforts were hampered by limited equipment and a lack of institutional knowledge, but the duo persisted, setting up makeshift korfball hoops on Alki Beach and fielding just six players for their inaugural international match.
Johnson’s Instagram advertising campaign has since attracted dozens of newcomers to weekly open sessions, among them Camille Parker, who found the sport through one of his ads while looking for a casual way to stay in shape and revisit basketball.
To sharpen their techniques, Johnson regularly shares video clips with a Portugal‑based korfball coach, who provides drill ideas and tactical feedback that have helped bridge the knowledge gap.
Looking Toward 2029
Both Johnson and Graham remain optimistic about the sport’s growth, focusing on talent identification and community outreach as they aim to field a competitive U.S. team for the 2029 World Games.