Hobbies | Mika Kottila figured out what makes children's activities cheaper in the capital region

“Hobbies there is too much negative publicity about the price,” claims the former professional soccer player Mika Kottila.

At least there has been a lot of it, and also for a reason.

“The prices of sports activities drive families into trouble”, was the headline of HS in March 2023. That article was based on an extensive report by Urheilulehti, according to which the price of activities in junior sports has risen dramatically in the 21st century.

According to a report published last year by Urheilulehti, the average annual price for 10-14-year-olds playing football is 2,595 euros.

The report took into account direct costs, such as membership fees, license fees, tournament and camp fees, equipment and tools, as well as mandatory indirect costs, such as travel expenses.

“I've always said that it's the easiest thing in the world to build a club where a player is paid a monthly fee of 150 euros. But try to build a club where the costs are at a reasonable level and the players still have the opportunity to pursue their dreams”, says Kottila.

In Kottila's opinion, the discussion has left out the fact that there are also clubs where activities are reasonably priced.

The more serious and competitive junior sports are, the more expensive they are. The annual prices of thousands of euros are explained by the good atmosphere on the artificial turf fields and bubble halls, professional coaches and numerous trips to games. Hobbies can also be made cheaper.

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“Most of our players come from the Itä-Hakkilä postal code area 01260.”

Kottila wants to share an example from his own local club, Kilva, East Hakkila, where he works as the conditions manager of the field company. There are 600 football enthusiasts in the club of 1,000 members.

Based on Kottila's story, the key factors in making the price of the hobby reasonable in Kilva in Itä-Hakkila are the locality and the small number of guided exercises, two or three times a week. The most ambitious players can get additional lessons at the club's skills school, and middle schoolers can participate in Urhea's morning practices.

“Most of our players come from the Itä-Hakkila postal code area 01260, i.e. within a radius of a couple of kilometers from the field.”

The club's field is located next to the school in Itä-Hakkilä. The school is a so-called mobile school, with two half-hour breaks every day, except Friday.

“There will be a huge number of training hours and repetitions, when some of the children might play four and a half hours of football during the school days of the week.”

Parents haven't had to worry about driving their children to practice when the field is nearby, and permanent practice times have also made other hobbies easier.

“In our club, each team is its own unit and decides on its own finances. The lowest monthly operating fee is 35 euros and the most expensive is 85 euros. The average price is 55 euros.”

In the age group born in 2014, the annual costs are 526–547 euros. And for those born in 2009, 1,027 euros. On top of these prices are equipment costs and possible tournament fees.

“There are families for whom even low payments are too much. We cooperate with the local Lions club, and they distribute support to the needy. Our annual prices are close to the support you can get from the city [täydentävä toimeentulotuki] for a hobby.”

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“In Finland, we should think more in a Swedish way.”

in IHK there are only two employees: a club coordinator and one coach. Kottila receives his salary from the field company owned by the club. IHK would not be a functioning community without parents.

The club assigns a responsible coach to each team to be established for the first two years. The club also trains parents, who can become responsible coaches of the teams.

“The teams with the most active parents are the best teams by every measure. The teams stick together, and they do well athletically. When the teammates are from the nearby area, the social glue keeps the child involved in the hobby.”

Kottila talks about how the field in Itä-Hakkila is the heart of the village.

“Spring is a great time when I bring out the Lumiaura and the children realize that they are about to get on the field.”

And when the parents of the players participate in the fitness organized by the club, it binds even more people to the club of their own village.

“I have often said that in Finland we should think more like Swedes. We should create a community instead of players and trust that the community creates good people and then also those players.”

Those who speak in favor of the competitiveness of sports may wonder how a hobby club can become good players.

“Should we develop players or people? I know a lot of people are scratching their heads and wondering what he's talking about. Are we putting too much pressure on children? Should they just be allowed to have fun?”

Itä-Hakkila Kilpa is by no means the only club where the price of the hobby has been kept reasonable for everyone.

East Hakkila Twenty kilometers from the artificial turf, the Haapaniemi artificial turf field is located in the Sörnäinen district. It is half-owned by Helsingin Ponnistus together with SAPA.

Club coordinator Outi Alakurtin according to the club's board of directors has emphasized that the costs of the hobby are kept low. The city's operating grants go directly to junior football.

“We have three paid employees and many volunteers. Coaches are compensated, but they are moderate. We actually only have one paid coach,” says Alakurtti.

Annual prices are moderate. It is 620 euros for those born in 2014 and 880 euros for those born in 2009. Prices include games, training, license and insurance. The club determines the fees for the teams.

The prices have become an attractive factor for Ponnistus north of Pitkänsilla in the area of ​​Kallio, Vallila and Kalasatama.

“Junior activities have increased a lot. We now have more than 600 juniors, while four years ago there were just under 300. The pressure has come to create winter conditions. Some of the players leave because we don't have decent winter conditions.”

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“We try to keep the players with us for as long as possible.”

The effort the operation is as local as possible. The longest training trips go a few kilometers away to Käpylä, Töölö or Arabianranta. In the winter, the teams go to Helsingin Haka's wrestling practice in Vallila as side training.

Locality and moderation of costs also affect commitment. According to Alakurti, Ponnistus' age groups stay together well.

“Of course, the drop out phenomenon happens to some extent, but I don't know if it can be influenced by any means.”

Ponnistus has profiled itself as a hobby club, but today, due to the increase in the number of players, it is also a breeding club.

“We try to keep the players with us for as long as possible, but you have to be able to guide good players forward.”

Even in a hobby club, good players can develop with high-quality coaching. Today, Ponnistus is already able to challenge the teams of more successful clubs at their best. The boys born in 2013 of Ponnistu recently beat Käpylä Pallo's second team City by more than ten goals. It was unheard of, but perhaps a sign of things to come.

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