Children's Right to Sport - Norway
Imagine a society in which 93 percent of children grow up playing organized sports. Where costs are low, the economic barriers to entry few, travel teams aren’t formed until the teenage years — and where adults don’t start sorting the weak from the strong until children have grown into their bodies and interests. Where the most promising talents become the most competitive athletes in the world, on a per-capita basis.
Sound impossible? It isn't.
That's what Norway does.
In 2018, Norway (a nation of just 5.3 million), won more medals (39) than any other country in the history of the Winter Games.
How did they do that? (Hint: It wasn't luck. It's development by design)
More than anything, kids like being active and playing with their friends.
Norway embraces this reality at every step of their developmental plan for athletes.
The country’s Children’s Rights in Sport is a document unlike any other in the world, a declaration that underpins its whole sports ecosystem. Introduced in 1987 and updated in 2007 by the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, the eight-page statement describes the type of experience that every child in the country must be provided, from safe training environments to activities that facilitate friendships.
The statement places a high value on the voices of youth:
- Children “must be granted opportunities to participate in planning and execution of their own sport activities,” according to the document. They may “decide for themselves how much they would like to train,” and can even opt out of games if they just want to practice.
- Want to transfer clubs in midseason? Go ahead, no penalty. Suit up with a rival club next week, if you wish.
“We believe the motivation of children in sport is much more important than that of the parent or coach,” said Inge Andersen, former secretary general of the Norwegian confederation. “We’re a small country and can’t afford to lose them because sport is not fun.”
Here are the basics of Norway's "Children's Rights in Sport"
Children’s sport constitutes sport activities for children up until the year they turn 12 years of age. The Children’s Rights in Sport apply to all children without any differential treatment and without regard for the child’s and its parents’ gender, ethnic background, faith, sexual orientation, physical development and disabilities.
1. Safety and security
Children have the right to participate in a safe and secure training environment without any inappropriate pressure or exploitation. Injuries must be prevented. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by an adult during the activities.
2. Friendship and well-being
Children have the right to participate in training and competitive activities which will facilitate development of friendship and solidarity. A sense of well-being facilitates learning and learning facilitates a sense of well-being.
3. Based on the children’s needs
Children have the right to participate in training and competitive activities adapted to their age, physical development and level of maturity.
4. Mastery
Children have the right to experience a sense of mastery and to learn many different skills. They
must also be granted opportunities for variation, training and interaction with others.
5. Influence
Children have the right to state their viewpoints and to be heard. They must be granted
opportunities to participate in planning and execution of their own sport activities along with
coaches and parents.
6. Freedom to choose
Children have the right to choose which sport, or how many sports, they would like to participate in – and decide for themselves how much they would like to train.
7. Competitions for everyone*
Children have the right to choose whether or not they would like to participate in competitions, and be granted equal opportunities to participate. Children transferring from one club to another within the same sport have the right to participate in competitions for the new club as soon as the transfer has been registered.
* NIF points out the importance of viewing Section 7 of the Children’s Rights in Sport within the context of the competitive practice for the various types of sports. Section 7 stipulates that: "Children have the right to choose whether or not they would like to participate in competitions, and be granted equal opportunities to participate". This entails that children who do not wish to participate in competitions shall also have training opportunities on equal terms with others.