Norway’s Erling Haaland is one of soccer’s most fearsome and competitive stars. He grew up in a place where winning and losing hardly mattered.
When a group of boys from a small town on the coast of Norway began playing for the same youth soccer club, there was no way of knowing where any of them would end up in 20 years.
The club was free and open to everyone. The teams cared more about having fun than winning—and barely kept score. Inside a small dome where they could practice year-round, through Scandinavian winters and darkness, the kids of Bryne FK played without pressure. Their volunteer coaches preached a simple philosophy: “As many as possible, for as long as possible, and as good as possible.”
In other words, the least American way possible.
But unlike the American method of raising soccer talent, this one actually worked. Of the 40 boys on that club team, 35 kept playing from childhood through adulthood. Six turned pro. Five were selected for youth national teams.
Yet another reason to root for Norway!
TBH, I detest American youth sports culture.
That is incredible, even by egalitarian Scandi standards. Something strangely impressive by Bryne moreso than Norway specifically, Id think
I think there is something to be said for just doing the thing at a young age but at certain point things should be more organized, professional, competitive. Maybe this comes with high school and college teams. Not sure what that point is.
I think it's an interesting question of when the optimal time to introduce formal competitiveness and talent-based selection is. I wonder if sports scientists have done much study on that.
I'd say a more organized option should start coexisting alongside just playing for fun.
It's kind of an unsung tragedy how many people quit playing sports they love because they couldn't make a team.
very interesting, thanks for sharing.