Football in the countryside

There are sports and football clubs in almost every village regardless of how small the community or village is. The reason is simple, sports provide community and joy, challenges and well-being. Sports have a powerful combination of the desire in the moment and socially beneficial effects. This is also evident in the global Agenda 2030 declaration where sports are highlighted as an important factor for sustainable social development. Sports play an important role in attractive living environments and are a popular movement that makes all of Sweden thrive and develop. The Småland/East Gothland Football Association therefore wants to test a model regarding what support will be needed to help the clubs that currently operate in rural areas ensure their continued development. 

The project has been prompted by a pre-study conducted in East Gothland and Småland. The pre-study led to the following clubs participating in the project: Blomstermåla IK, Fliseryd IF, IF Stjärnan, Gamleby IF, Ankarsrums IF, and Gunnebo IF, NKPG, Kvarsebo IK, Simonstorp IF, Kättinge IF, Bråvalla IK, Kuddby IF, Stegelborgs IF, Östra Ryds IF, Valdemarsvik IF, Gusums IF, and Ringarums IF.

The goal of the project is to test an existing model to strengthen sports clubs, which aims to give them and their active members the ability to renew and develop their activities.