Nordea athletics academy
Across the country there is intense activity at Nordea’s athletics academies. From Övertorneå in the north to Ystad in the south, thousands of children are having their first go at jumping, running and throwing.
During the summer holiday, 136 sports clubs are arranging a Nordea athletics academy. This summer a record number of over 18,000 children aged 7-11 years will have the opportunity to try out track and field athletics such as the steeple chase, high and long jump, relay, discus, and the javelin.
The children also learn which muscles are used in the various disciplines, why they can become sore and why a good stretch might prevent this. There are plenty of opportunities for fun and play and every child gets a diploma at the end of the academy.
Most academy instructors are teenagers who are provided a short initial training before they get to put their new skills into practice. In total over a thousand teenagers get to try what it is like to be an instructo.
Over the past few years, Swedish track and field athletics has enjoyed tremendous success and that has triggered a massive interest in athletics amongst Swedish children. However, sports clubs find it difficult to accommodate everyone due to lack of resources. Therefore, Nordea athletics academy makes it possible for more children to be active and discover if athletics is something for them.
