soccer is for life

The Scandinavian Sport Model: Myth or Reality?

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When people talk about sports in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), they often describe a unique system built on equality, volunteering, and “sport for all.” But is this
reputation actually true?

A study of Norwegian football reveals that the “Scandinavian Model” is becoming a myth for adults, yet remains a powerful reality for children. As commercialization changes elite sports,
the survival of this unique system rests almost entirely on how these nations treat their youngest players.

The Four Pillars of the Model

To understand the model, researchers identify four “building blocks” that supposedly define how sports work in the region.

  • Massive Volunteerism: Sports are run by volunteers, not professionals. In Norway, sports clubs make up 29% of all voluntary organizations. The system relies on parents coaching and organizing rather than paid staff.
  • A “Unitary” Organization: Unlike countries where elite leagues (like the Premier League) are separate from grassroots football, Scandinavian sports are “unitary.” One organization (like the Norwegian Football Federation, NFF) is supposed to control everything from the national team down to the local 6-year-olds’ team. 3. Strong Political Support: The state is heavily involved. The government funds sports—mostly through gambling revenues—because they believe sports improve public health and social inclusion.
  • Egalitarianism (Equality): This is the “soul” of the model. The goal is “sport for all,” not just the elite. In Norway, there are strict rules against ranking children or focusing on talent development too early. For example, national competitions are banned for children under 13.

The Reality Check: A Divided House

The study found that these four pillars are crumbling in the adult world but remain strong for youth.

Adults: The Model is Broken

For adults, the “Scandinavian Model” is largely a myth.

  • Commercialization: Elite clubs are professional businesses. They have split into two parts: a “commercial” side for the elite team and a “membership” side for the grassroots, largely to bypass member-voting rules and attract investors.
  • Low Participation: Despite the goal of “sport for all,” most adults have abandoned organized sports. Only 15% of adults participate in organized sports, compared to 76% who prefer individual activities like gym memberships or jogging.
  • Failed Policy: Politicians continue to pour money into sports organizations to promote public health, even though most adults aren’t using them. They do this because elite athletes are national idols, making it hard to cut funding.

Children: The Model is Alive

For children, the reality is different. Participation is massive, and the system works exactly as the model predicts.

  • High Participation: Two out of three boys in Norway play organized football.
  • Parent Power: The system runs on the “double utility” of parents: they volunteer to help their own kids, which in turn keeps the whole club running for everyone.
  • Protection from Elitism: Regulations still protect children from intense competition. However, this is under threat. A survey of coaches revealed a “divided house”: nearly 50% of coaches believe talent development starts too late and want to select elite teams earlier than allowed.

Conclusion: Saved by the Kids

The Scandinavian Sport Model faces a strange future. It has lost its relevance in the professional, commercialized world of adult sports. Yet, it survives because it is incredibly effective for children.


Even though elite clubs operate like businesses, they stay within the national federation because the massive base of children provides them with political legitimacy and talent. As
long as parents value equality and participation for their children, the Scandinavian Model will persist—but it may increasingly look like two different worlds living under one roof.

Bibliography

Primary Source

Supporting References

  • Bergsgard, N. A., Houlihan, B., Mangset, P., Nødland, S. I., & Rommetvedt, H. (2007). Sport Policy: A Comparative Analysis of Stability and Change. Oxford: Elsevier.
  • Enjolras, B., Seippel, Ø., & Waldahl, R. H. (2012). Norsk Idrett: Organisering, fellesskap og politikk [Norwegian Sport: Organization, Community and Politics]. Oslo: Akilles.
  • Goksøyr, M., & Olstad, F. (2002). Fotball: Norges Fotballforbund 100 år [Football: The Norwegian Football Association 100 years]. Oslo: Norges Fotballforbund.
  • Ibsen, B., & Seippel, Ø. (2010). Voluntary Organized Sport in Denmark and Norway. Sport in Society, 13(4), 593-608.
  • Skille, E. Å. (2011). Sport for All in Scandinavia: Sport Policy and Participation in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 3(3), 327-339.