A recent study by the University of Jyväskylä shows that participation in sports club activities among Finnish youth aged 8 to 19 has significantly increased from the 1980s to the 2020s, particularly among the youngest age groups. The work is published in the Journal of Public Health.

“Families are investing more in children’s leisure-time physical activities, and this investment now begins at an earlier age,” says researcher Irinja Lounassalo from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. “While this can be beneficial for a child’s development, physical activity, and health, early specialization in a single sport may increase the risk of injury and lead to early dropout.”

Engaging in a wide variety of physical activities supports the development of children’s fundamental motor skills and predicts a physically active lifestyle in adulthood. Lounassalo emphasizes that in addition to sports clubs, everyday environments such as home yards, public outdoor recreational areas, and forests offer excellent opportunities for physical activity.

The number of girls in sports clubs is increasing

The study also found that the gender gap in sports club participation has narrowed in Finland: in the 1980s, boys were significantly more active in sports clubs than girls were, but by the 2020s, this difference had disappeared.

“This is a great development for gender equality,” Lounassalo notes.

However, socioeconomic and regional disparities remain significant. Family income and the family’s place of residence are associated with who participates in sports and how often. In the 2020s, the impact of family income is already visible among primary school-aged children, whereas in the 1980s, it became more apparent only among secondary school-aged youth and older.

“The professionalization of sports clubs and rising costs have reduced participation opportunities for low-income families,” Lounassalo explains.

Regional inequality has also increased. Youth living in sparsely populated areas participate in sports clubs less than those in urban areas do. For example, in sparsely populated regions, long distances and limited sports participation options restrict participation.

Flexible and accessible options are needed to promote physical activity of youth

The researchers highlight the need for targeted actions to support the recreational and sports opportunities of children from low-income families and sparsely populated areas. Increasing physical activity opportunities during and around the school day, improving school transport, closer cooperation between municipalities and sports clubs, free and diverse local recreational indoor and outdoor facilities, and low-threshold participation options such as multi-sport clubs could enhance accessibility to physical activity.

“According to earlier studies, many young people reported lack of time, motivation, lack of guidance and facilities as well as the high cost of participation as reasons for not being physically active,” says Lounassalo. “Offering more flexible sports options that involve less commitment and competition could encourage more children and young people to engage in physical activity.”

The study examined sports club participation across two generations: 9- to 18-year-olds from the 1980s “Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns” study (N = 3,439) were compared to their 8- to 19-year-old offspring in 2018 to 2020 (N = 1,156). The study explored the prevalence of sports club participation in Finland and its associations with sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, family income, parental education level, and residential area.

RENO, Nev. (Nevada Athletics) – The University of Nevada and Nevada Athletics celebrated a historic day June 13, 2025, when the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents gave final approval for construction of a long-awaited indoor fieldhouse and resurfacing of two turf fields.

Groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art fieldhouse, to be located adjacent to the southeast entrance of Mackay Stadium, is set to take place in fall 2025 with completion of the facility targeted for fall 2026.

The 72,000-square foot facility will benefit the University student body by serving in a multi-purpose capacity. The fieldhouse’s 110 yards of indoor turf and recreation space will accommodate Nevada club and intramural sports while enhancing wellness and activity for the campus community. The facility also provides a critical practice area for the Wolf Pack Marching Band and Nevada spirit teams with additional opportunities for ROTC exercises, ASUN and community events, youth sports’ activities, and pregame events.

“With the approval by the Board of Regents, the entire University stands to benefit from the new fieldhouse. In addition to the major leap forward that Wolf Pack Athletics will experience, the University’s emphasis on student success also benefits greatly,” said University President Brian Sandoval ’86. “From the very beginning, we have envisioned the fieldhouse as enhancing the student experience for all students through its multi-use nature. The student events, activities, intramurals and more that will be regularly held in the fieldhouse will further the University’s goal of health, wellness and connection for our entire campus community. I would like to express my gratitude to the Board of Regents for approving this important project.”

The fieldhouse has long been essential for Wolf Pack student athletes to train, compete, and succeed year-round. It will positively impact all 17 Nevada sports by providing training space for football and women’s soccer, batting cages for softball, and conditioning space for all Wolf Pack programs.

“Today’s decision by the Board of Regents will have a momentous positive effect on the University of Nevada. We are grateful for the support and action of the Regents, President Sandoval, and ASUN in making this possible,” said Nevada Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe. “This long-awaited indoor facility is essential for the long-term success and championship potential of our programs and student athletes. It will elevate our department, our University, and our community, and I am excited for Nevada’s College Town to come together with pride and purpose to help us make this transformational project a reality.”

Nevada Athletics is committed to securing $5-7M in philanthropic support for the Fieldhouse & Turf Fields Project to expand and improve student access to recreational opportunities that support physical and mental well-being, elevate program competitiveness, and address vital health and safety needs. The goal will be achieved through a comprehensive fundraising campaign focused on major gifts, naming opportunities and donor engagement strategies.

If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact the WPAA at wolfpack@unr.edu.

Copyright 2025 KOLO. All rights reserved.

Major events like the Winnipeg 2025 World Archery Youth Championships bring some nations to the global archery community that we don’t see so often on the international stage, and with almost 600 archers arriving from all over the world, there’s some stories to tell. 

The sole representative of Jamaica here in Winnipeg is Isabel Angelina Chin, aged just 13. The Caribbean nation is of course best known for its global sporting achievements in track & field, and archery is only a small – but growing – sport in the country. 

“I started in high school,” said Isabel. “I stayed at 10 metres for a while, like five months, then I moved up and competed in the Caribbean Developmental Championships, and that was a really great experience for me. Who do I look up to? I really like the Mexican archers, especially Alejandra Valencia.”

With under-18 women competing at 60 metres in the youth championships, Chin built up her training to be here and shoot at the distance. “My bow poundage was only 18 pounds a couple of months ago. I had to go up by 10 pounds in the last couple of months. We train in long grass. I endured a lot of mosquito bites.”

It was still a big leap to shoot in one of the biggest international competitions of all. 

“I didn’t really believe it until I crossed the Canadian border. I’ve never seen so many people in one place before. I was really scared when I first walked in. Especially at the hotel because the Canadian team was just coming in too. I was like, “Oh my gosh, it’s a lot of people and I’m just here alone!” said Isabel.

“But on my first day of practice I met a guy from Great Britain who was really nice and we traded pins. It’s not nearly as scary as I thought it was. There’s something that’s so beautiful about the archery community is that everyone’s really warm and welcoming.”

A new local golf tournament is being launched in October as a fundraising event for local youth athletic opportunities.

RENO, Nev. – Tuesday marked a historic day for the University of Nevada and Wolf Pack Athletics as ground was officially broken on the long-awaited indoor fieldhouse and turf fields project. Completion of the facility is targeted for summer 2026.

The project, over a decade in the making, became a reality in June when the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents gave final approval for construction at the conclusion of its quarterly meeting at the Joe Crowley Student Union.

Tuesday, University President Brian Sandoval ’86, University First Lady Lauralyn Sandoval, and Wolf Pack Athletics Director Stephanie Rempe were joined by ASUN leadership, members of the board of regents, and staff from Tolles Development in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the facility. Prior to the shovels hitting the dirt, Rempe and Sandoval were joined by ASUN President Carmina Aglubat and ASUN student leadership in unveiling a plaque recognizing the 92nd session of the Senate of the Associated Students and its role in making the indoor fieldhouse possible.

Numerous Wolf Pack head coaches and staff, and Nevada student-athletes were on hand for the ceremony, along with key University and Athletics supporters.

The 72,000-square foot facility will benefit the University student body by serving in a multi-purpose capacity. The fieldhouse’s 110 yards of indoor turf and recreation space will accommodate Nevada club and intramural sports while enhancing wellness and activity for the campus community. The facility also provides a critical practice area for the Wolf Pack Marching Band and Nevada spirit teams with additional opportunities for ROTC exercises, ASUN and community events, youth sports’ activities, and pregame events.

The fieldhouse has long been essential for Wolf Pack student athletes to train, compete, and succeed year-round. It will positively impact all 17 Nevada sports by providing training space for football and women’s soccer, batting cages for softball, and conditioning space for all Wolf Pack programs.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.