18 April 2017

Dean Woods

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Profile: Trojans Korfball Club

  • Club name:  Trojans
  • Club colours: Blue and black
  • Location: Croydon, South London
  • Year founded: 1972

Trojans have been the dominant force in English korfball for nearly a decade – can they make it 10 victories in a row at this year’s LFF Korfball Grand Finals?

“Every year gets a little harder but we are experienced and always put in the hours before the finals to ensure we are physically and mentally prepared for what is to come,” said Trojans’ coach Gary Brooks.

“Every year gets a little harder”

Many of the same players, and Gary, were involved in their first success back in the 2007/08 season. There was no grand final then – but the last match of the season was a grand final of sorts as it pitted Trojans against their title rivals Mitcham.

Gary recalls: “It was fantastic! What made the victory so special was that the squad that won the first club title was a squad of players that had been playing together since youth korfball level. To finally see Trojan blue and black lifting the league trophy was excellent – and each year it gets better.”

That win saw Trojans knock Mitcham off their perch, following many years of success, something this year’s challengers will be hoping to do to Trojans.

Trojans are focused on the task in hand but aren’t getting carried away and know they will need to be on top form come May 6th when they face Kingfishers in the semi-final.

“We will take it one match at a time”

“We are confident and extremely driven to make this the 10th year in a row. We will train hard and we have plenty of experienced players who know how to play on this occasion. We want the title obviously, but it will be treated like all the others and we will take it one match at a time,” said Gary.

Trojans have already tasted success this season securing a bronze medal at the Europa Cup in The Netherlands, which Gary describes as the highlight of the season.

“The squad trained extremely hard for the tournament and have come close in years previous. We had a tough couple of games to get to the third spot match, and the team managed to win with a goal in the dying seconds of the game. It was the best game of the tournament and such a wonderful experience for the whole club.”

In the 45th year since Trojans was founded, it continues to be a family club, which Gary describes as the “secret to the success”.

Can Trojans do it? You can find out at the LFF Korfball Grand finals on 6th and 7th May.