Sport in Sweden comes from some tough years. The coronavirus largely prevented, albeit somewhat differently from sport to sport, practices, matches and tournaments around the country.
But since then figures from the Norwegian Sports Confederation point to improvement in many areas.
– Sports as a whole on the children’s and youth side seems to have recovered and coped fairly well after the pandemic, states the association’s operations controller Peter Eriksson and continues:
– Now we see above all how some of the bigger, classic sports are going strong. Not least football.
The so-called LOK support – local activity support – is government support for youth sports that is distributed to the country’s sports associations. The support is based on the number of participants and the number of training opportunities for young people aged 7–25.
Approximately 59.7 million participation opportunities were reported to the National Sports Confederation in 2023, compared to 58.1 million in 2019. The figure can be seen as an indicator of young people’s activity level, but also of the well-being of various sports.
Fakta.LOK support
Local activity support (LOK support) is a government support that the Swedish Sports Confederation distributes to associations’ children and youth activities. The associations themselves, every six months, must apply for the support, which is based on the number of activities, leaders and participants.
Source: Swedish Sports Confederation.
Show more
Show less
– When it comes to the overall trends, and above all within the major sports, it is a very good indication of how much children’s and youth activities are carried out in Sweden, says Peter Eriksson.
The National Sports Confederation has asked the latest figures for 2019, i.e. before the outbreak of the pandemic in Sweden. The results show that some of the major sports are now growing properly, such as football and basketball. Gymnastics, ice hockey and handball also show positive trends compared to 2019.
However, it looks worse for a number of other major sports: Athletics, martial arts, equestrian sports, swimming and floorball.
Does the Norwegian Sports Confederation view this development with concern, or is there a fundamental optimism that we are on the right track after the pandemic?
– I wouldn’t say that there is any concern for sports overall, says Peter Eriksson.
– But this will also be a bit silly. We are one and the same sports family, while the associations and the athletes are in a way competitors. They compete for children and young people’s free time.
– The basis from the Swedish Sports Confederation is that we obviously want as many children and young people playing sports as possible. Which sport they choose basically matters less. The important thing is that there is the right range, so that you can find sin sports.
Facts. National Sports Confederation
The National Sports Confederation has 72 member associations (special sports associations, SF) which together have approximately 19,000 sports associations. In total, the sports movement gathers approximately 3.3 million members. The National Sports Confederation, in turn, has 19 districts that work to support sports associations around the country.
Source: Swedish Sports Confederation.
Show more
Show less
At the same time, Peter Eriksson says that the Swedish Sports Confederation has no “clear answers” as to why certain sports do not seem to have recovered after the pandemic, while others seem to have succeeded significantly better.
– There are certainly several explanations, but we have no given analysis as to why.
– If it is the case that certain sports really did the job in a very good way during the pandemic and made sure that the associations were brought along in a good way when the restrictions were lifted, or if there are other things behind the numbers.
Someone might be thinking whether the continued loss of certain sports is about a reduced interest among the young practitioners, or whether in some cases it may be that there is an interest – but no associations.
– The number of associations that report activities fell slightly during the pandemic, states Peter Eriksson.
– But now we are up to approximately the same number of associations again. Possibly a little lower, but not to any great extent. So it’s not like a lot of associations have disappeared.
Peter Eriksson, operations controller at the National Sports Confederation. Photo: Wilhelm Wigardt/National Sports Confederation
He continues:
– Our general assessment is rather that quite a few sports during the pandemic lost a form of youth generation in various ways, and that they have not succeeded in compensating for it by recruiting children to a corresponding extent.
– At the same time, we see that a decent number of the major sports managed quite well. If it is then a sign of the times, that certain sports are more attractive to children and young people, or if certain sports are better at marketing themselves to children and young people – it is difficult to say.
Sport in Sweden: The Recovery Saga
Ah, Sweden—a land known for its stunning landscapes, the ABBA museum, and of course, incredible sportsmanship! But hold your skis, folks; it seems the pandemic threw a bit of a spanner in the works. Other countries might have been watching “The Great British Bake Off,” but Sweden was wrestling with the realities of a virus that made sports, well, rather impossible. Talk about a bad match, right?
The Pandemic Hangover
Now, the good news! It appears we are navigating through the fog (with perhaps a little more pluck than prowess). According to Peter Eriksson—the Operations Controller of the Norwegian Sports Confederation, because obviously, all great news travels via Norway—youth sports are making a **valiant comeback**! Who needs a superhero when you have young footballers sprinting around?
“Sports as a whole on the children’s and youth side seems to have recovered,” states Eriksson. That’s a relief, isn’t it? You know, just a week ago I thought ‘sport’ was the old lady in my neighborhood who keeps yelling at kids to stop playing ball on her lawn. Apparently, it’s more than that!
LOK Support: The Oasis in Sport
As you may already know—or perhaps not—there’s something called LOK support. Sounds like a new energy drink, doesn’t it? But no, this is about government aid for youth sports, given straight to the sports associations based on participation and training opportunities for our young athletes, aged 7 to 25. Who knew bureaucracy could actually do something for kids?!
In 2023, there were approximately 59.7 million participation opportunities reported to the National Sports Confederation. That’s a whopping increase from 58.1 million in 2019, which must make everyone at the Confederation feel like they hit a last-minute goal in the final match of a championship!
Trends and Traumas
Football and basketball seem to be back on their feet, while gymnastics, ice hockey, and handball have found their stride. Can’t deny that it sounds like a plot twist out of a soap opera, but alas, other sports, such as athletics and martial arts, are facing a more sluggish revival. Perhaps they should consider handing out some fast food vouchers? Always makes a sport more enticing, doesn’t it?
So the big question here? Is there optimism or concern from the Norwegian Sports Confederation regarding this development? Eriksson humorously suggests that concern is not quite on the table, “But that’s a bit silly.” Typical Scandinavian humor—subtly cheeky and unemotional, unlike my reaction to Tuesdays without coffee!
Your Excuse for Not Playing Sports
Interestingly, Eriksson also throws an intriguing idea into the mix: some sports lost a generation of youth during the pandemic. It’s like a real-life episode of “Survivor,” where certain sports thrive while others… just aimlessly drift. Are we to pin that on reduced interest among young people, or is it simply that kids have found better ways to avoid exercise? To TikTok or to basketball… hmmm.
Conclusion: The Future is… Sporty? Maybe?
So, ladies and gentlemen, while Sweden’s sports scene grapples with post-pandemic complexities, one can’t help but wonder if we’re witnessing a revival or just a really good marketing ploy. Either way, let’s root for our youth and their incredible achievements. After all, they might turn up to play sports, bringing disco back to the football pitch, meanwhile, Peter Eriksson is just sprucing things up with a touch of *top-notch supervision*. Let the games continue!
So, there you have it folks! Sport in Sweden—an age-old tale of resilience, excitement, and a touch of that cheeky Nordic humor.
Sport in Sweden has emerged from a challenging period marked by the disruptions wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. While the impact was experienced differently across various sports, practices, matches, and tournaments were significantly hindered throughout the nation.
However, recent data from the Norwegian Sports Confederation indicates a positive trajectory in multiple dimensions of sports engagement.
– Sports, particularly within children’s and youth programs, appear to have rebounded well following the pandemic, asserts Peter Eriksson, operations controller of the association. He elaborates:
– Currently, we are witnessing a resurgence in several prominent traditional sports, with football leading the charge in this revitalization.
The so-called LOK support – local activity support – serves as a vital government initiative aimed at bolstering youth sports across Sweden. This funding is allocated to local sports associations based on participant numbers and training opportunities for young individuals aged 7 to 25.
In 2023, approximately 59.7 million participation opportunities were recorded by the National Sports Confederation, an increase from 58.1 million reported in 2019. This growth serves as a barometer for the activity levels among youth and, by extension, reflects the overall health of various sports disciplines.
Fakta.LOK support
Local activity support (LOK support) is a government-aligned initiative that the Swedish Sports Confederation distributes to promote associations’ operations for children and youth. To access this funding, associations are required to submit applications biannually, with the support framework hinging on measurable activity, leadership, and participant involvement.
Source: Swedish Sports Confederation.
– Analyzing the overarching trends, especially within major sports, provides strong evidence of the vibrant activities available for children and youth in Sweden, notes Peter Eriksson.
The National Sports Confederation has requested the most recent statistics from 2019, prior to the pandemic’s onset in Sweden. These findings reveal that several major sports, such as football and basketball, are now experiencing substantial growth. Moreover, gymnastics, ice hockey, and handball also report positive trends when compared to the pre-pandemic landscape.
However, a number of sports are still facing challenges, including athletics, martial arts, equestrian sports, swimming, and floorball.
Does the Norwegian Sports Confederation view this development with concern, or is there a foundational optimism that we are on the right track after the pandemic?
– I wouldn’t categorize our outlook as concerning for sports overall, expresses Peter Eriksson.
– It is a somewhat humorous situation. Although we form one cohesive sports family, the associations and athletes exist in a competitive dynamic, vying for the attention and free time of children and young people.
– The fundamental stance from the Swedish Sports Confederation is a desire for maximum participation in sports among children and youth. While the specific sports chosen might be secondary in importance, ensuring a diverse range of activities is paramount for encouraging individuals to discover their own athletic passions.
Facts. National Sports Confederation
The National Sports Confederation encompasses 72 member associations (special sports associations, SF), which collectively represent around 19,000 sports associations. This extensive network garners roughly 3.3 million members. The Confederation is divided into 19 districts, each dedicated to supporting sports associations nationwide.
Source: Swedish Sports Confederation.
At the same time, Peter Eriksson acknowledges the lack of “clear answers” regarding why certain sports have struggled to recover after the pandemic while others have thrived.
– There are various potential explanations, but no definitive analysis has been undertaken, he notes.
– It remains uncertain whether certain sports effectively engaged their communities during the pandemic and ensured smooth transitions as restrictions were lifted, or if other underlying factors contribute to the differing outcomes.
Some might ponder whether the decline in particular sports is indicative of waning interest among young participants, or whether the interest exists but is hindered by the availability of local associations.
– The number of associations reporting activities experienced a slight decrease during the pandemic, reveals Peter Eriksson.
– However, we have since returned to roughly the same number of associations as before, possibly seeing only a minor reduction. Thus, we cannot conclude that a significant number of associations have ceased to operate.
He continues:
– Our overall assessment suggests that certain sports may have lost a generation of youth during the pandemic, and have struggled to replenish their ranks by effectively recruiting young participants to similar levels.
– Concurrently, we have observed that many of the major sports have fared relatively well in this landscape. Determining whether this represents an evolving preference among children and young people for specific sports, or whether some sports are simply better at engaging and marketing themselves is challenging to ascertain.
Across Sweden, the world of sports is gradually shaking off the dust left by the pandemic, with a resurgence of youth participation that reflects a new chapter of resilience and adaptability. As various sports associations strive to rebuild, there are notable trends in which sports flourish while others grapple with retention challenges.
The State of Youth Sports in Sweden
In an optimistic update from Peter Eriksson of the Norwegian Sports Confederation, the landscape for youth sports is looking brighter. “Sports as a whole on the children’s and youth side seems to have recovered,” he reports, highlighting a dynamic return of young athletes to the playing fields. While certain sports faced significant downturns during the pandemic, the current focus is on revitalizing engagement across a spectrum of activities.
Understanding LOK Support
An instrumental factor in this recovery has been the Local Activity Support (LOK support), a government initiative designed to bolster youth sports programs. It provides funding to local sports associations based on participation numbers and opportunities for training. In 2023, approximately 59.7 million participation opportunities were recorded—a noticeable rise from the 58.1 million logged in 2019. This trend serves as a positive indicator of renewed interest and activity levels among young people in Sweden.
The Popularity Contest
Among the traditional sports, football and basketball are leading the pack in this recovery journey, showing significant engagement levels. Other sports such as gymnastics, ice hockey, and handball are also on the upswing, but not all sports are experiencing the same revival. Athletics and martial arts, for instance, have struggled to regain their footing, suggesting a need for targeted efforts to re-attract participants and innovate these offerings.
Children’s Choices and Future Directions
Eriksson raises a critical point about the long-term impact of the pandemic on youth sports. He suggests that some sports may have lost an entire generation of young participants, posing the question of whether this shift in interest is due to changing preferences or the allure of alternative distractions, like social media. It seems the competition is not just among sports, but also against captivating digital experiences that occupy youth leisure time.
Concluding Thoughts: The Path Forward
Despite these challenges, the overarching sentiment from the Norwegian Sports Confederation remains optimistic. The goal is not merely to revive specific sports but to ensure that children are actively participating in some form of physical activity. The focus is on providing diverse opportunities for engagement, nurturing a culture of inclusivity and passion for sports.
As this vibrant narrative unfolds, one can only hope that Sweden’s sports ecosystem continues to thrive, embracing both the familiar and the novel. The path forward is filled with potential, and with the right support and enthusiasm, who knows what incredible sporting stories will emerge from this Scandinavian nation in the years to come?
