Trojans 1 head coach Gary Brooks insists his side won’t rest on their laurels ahead of this weekend’s opening fixtures in the 2014/15 English Korfball League.
The defending champions, who won their 7th League Championship beating Bec 1 18-17 in April, entertain Kent side Kingfisher on Sunday while Bec host Norwich Knights and Nomads 1 play away to Birmingham City.
Brooks, who has coached the Trojans for the past seven seasons, led the club to an undefeated campaign last year but maintains that his side is fully focused on the new season, starting Sunday.
“We’ve been preparing since late August and look forward to competing as well as we did last year,” said Brooks.
“Kingfisher are a good side and it will be a difficult game, they’re probably the best team from Kent.
“They will be well prepared but we’re ready, I’ve seen them play a few tournaments recently, so they won’t be an unknown entity.”
During the summer Trojans added Toby Clarke, who was the top scorer last season for local rivals Croydon, to their squad and Brooks anticipates big contributions from both Clarke and rising star Stan Dunn.
He added: “He’s 21 years old (Clarke), full of talent and recently represented the England Under 21 and 23 teams, so we’re expecting him to take an active role in the squad.
“We’ve also got Dunn, another 21-year-old. He’s been with us for three years now and I think he’s going to be a real strength and force this year.”
Korfball is a team ball game similar to mixed netball and basketball with teams made up of four men and four women.
Players score by throwing the ball through the other team’s basket and after two goals the teams change zones: defenders become attackers and attackers become defenders.
Picture courtesy of Marco Spelten, with thanks
