A new direction for children’s sports
Sports federations and the Olympic Committee take a new direction in children’s sports
Children’s physical activity is decreasing, and the amount of sedentary time is increasing. Only 36 percent of children aged 7-15 meet the national physical activity recommendation. Additionally, studies show that the age at which children start participating in sports has become younger. Unfortunately, the age at which they drop out from sports club activities has also decreased. In addition to starting sports activities at a younger age, specialization in a single sport is happening earlier as well.
None of these trends are positive for promoting an active lifestyle, learning physical skills, or building a career in high-performance sports, based on research data.
40 sports federations are seeking for a new direction in children’s sports
What can we do to reverse this worrying trend? This is a joint effort by the sports community. The sports system aims to meet this challenge together with families, schools, municipalities, and society as a whole. The boards of the sports federations have appointed a person responsible for their sport (the federations and their contacts can be found at the bottom of the page). The work begins now!
Events
- 10.9.2024 The Values of Children’s Sports
- 27.11.2024 The Quantity of Physical Activity, Versatility, and Enabling Multi-Sport Participation
- 28.1.2025 Improving Knowledge and Appreciation of Coaching in Childhood
- 3/2025 Children’s Competitive Sports and Competition Systems
- 6/2025 Costs
In this process, we are seeking guidelines on issues such as increasing the amount of physical activity for children, competition systems, removing barriers to participating in multiple sports simultaneously, costs, and improving the knowledge and appreciation of coaching in children’s sports.
Juha Sten, Olympic Committee
News related to the topic
The new direction for children’s sports process
Sukeltajaliitto ry, Heli Halava
Suomen Agilityliitto, Viljami Saarivuo
Suomen Amerikkalaisen Jalkapallon liitto ry, Heikki Halttunen
Suomen Ampumaurheiluliitto ry, Kustaa Ylitalo
Suomen Brasilialaisen Jujutsun liitto ry
Suomen Cheerleadingliitto ry, Jenni Salomäki
Suomen Curlingliitto ry
Suomen Frisbeegolfliitto ry, Tapani Aulu
Suomen Golfliitto ry, Mika Hollo
Suomen Hiihtoliitto ry, Tilda Rajamäki
Suomen Judoliitto ry, Otto Faven
Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto ry, Olli Savikko
Suomen Karateliitto ry, Suvi Savolainen
Suomen Keilailuliitto ry, Simo Uosukainen
Suomen Koripalloliitto ry, Pena Ranta
Suomen Käsipalloliitto ry, Kaj Kekki
Suomen Lentopalloliitto ry, Oskari Muurinen
Suomen Melonta- ja Soutuliitto ry, Tytti Tuomela
Suomen miekkailu- ja 5-otteluliitto ry, Joonas Lyytinen
Suomen Nyrkkeilyliitto ry, Marko Laine
Suomen Padelliitto ry, Visa Korhonen
Suomen Painiliitto ry, Antti Pekkala
Suomen Painonnostoliitto ry, Jarno Tiainen
Suomen Palloliitto ry, Jani Tulehmo
Suomen Paralympiakomitea ry, Henry Manni
Suomen Pesäpalloliitto ry, Miika Rantatorikka
Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry, Pinja Harjunpää
Suomen Ratsastajainliitto ry
Suomen Ringetteliitto ry, Tytti Järvinen
Suomen Salibandyliitto ry, Miikka Lamu
Suomen Squashliitto ry, Mika Monto
Suomen Suunnistusliitto ry, Katri Lindqvist
Suomen Taekwondoliitto ry, Tiiu Tuomi
Suomen Taitoluisteluliitto ry, Sanna Vuorinen, Salla Mäkelä
Suomen Tanssiurheiluliitto ry, Pirjo Koivula
Suomen Tennisliitto ry, Harri Suutarinen
Suomen Uimaliitto ry, Juha Turunen
Suomen Urheiluliitto ry, Tapio Rajamäki, Jarkko Finni
Suomen Voimisteluliitto ry, Liisa Lappalainen
Suomen Voimanostoliitto ry
Suomen Olympiakomitea ry, Juha Sten & Sandra Sirén
In the joint process, the sports federations support each other in developing children’s sports. Each sport’s own process proceeds according to the schedule defined by the sport, and the federations have appointed their own responsible person for the process. Some federations have already started their work earlier and bring their experience into this joint process.
- 10.9.2024 The Values of Children’s Sports
- 27.11.2024 The Quantity of Physical Activity, Versatility, and Enabling Multi-Sport Participation
- 28.1.2025 Improving Knowledge and Appreciation of Coaching in Childhood
- 3/2025 Children’s Competitive Sports and Competition Systems
- 6/2025 Costs
We warmly welcome interested sports federations to join the process. Please contact the process coordinator Juha Sten (juha.sten@olympiakomitea.fi)
More information
-
-
Sandra Sirén
specialist, sports club activities
045 1429315