"Brad Stulberg took to Instagram to share that the country's approach to youth sports could be part of the reason why. Obviously Norway and winter sports kind of go hand-in-hand, but Stulberg points out that the country does things a lot differently than countries like America or Canada, where youth sports often feel more like minor league tryouts than kids learning sportsmanship, athleticism, and skills."
"For starters, Stulberg says that in Norway, youth sports don't even keep score until the kids reach the age of 13. This is mind-blowing enough when you consider that even t-ball teams of kids ages 5 and under are known to end in parents arguing with umpires (who are usually teenagers) over the amount of runs scored. Without the pressure of winning or losing, kids in Norway can just focus on the game itself and the joy of participating, Stulberg says."
"The New York Times reported on this very thing back in 2019. According to the piece, because travel teams aren't a thing until kids are fully teens and because sports costs are low, a whopping 93% of children grow up playing organized sports in Norway. The country had a population of just 5.3 million during the 2018 Winter Olympics, yet won 39 medals - more than any other country."
Norway leads recent Winter Olympic medal counts despite a small population by cultivating broad youth participation and enjoyment. Youth sports in Norway delay keeping score until age 13, reducing early pressure to win. Travel teams and high costs are uncommon, making organized sports accessible so 93% of children participate. Children are encouraged to try multiple sports, developing diverse athletic skills and intrinsic motivation. The cultural emphasis on participation, skill development, and play supports sustained athlete development and contributes to high national performance in elite competition.
Read at Scary Mommy
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