Sport buddies are seeking children and young people from schools to participate in recreational activities

The aim of sport buddy activities is to encourage children and young people who do not have any hobbies to participate in sports or other recreational activities of their choice, according to the City of Vantaa.

The target group for the project is children in grades 1 to 9. Outreach activities are being carried out in schools where a particular need has been identified.

The sport buddies meet children and young people, for example, during breaks, when guided activities are organised.

The sport buddies hold a weekly hobby clinic, where children and young people can ask them for help in finding a hobby.

The sport buddies aim to find out as comprehensively as possible what kind of free and affordable activities are offered in the vicinity of the school. If necessary, they can make use of the hobby support of SOS Children’s Village to help with hobby fees.

The sport buddies can also organise a club activity that meets the needs of the children if there is, for example, a gym space available.

Hobby culture is unfamiliar to many

Sometimes children and young people need help because not all children and families are familiar with hobby culture.

“For language challenges, we have asked multilingual instructors for help,” says Veera Pulkkinen, a sport buddy.

Families are introduced to the Finnish hobby culture and given hands-on support for the child and their family, for example, in registration processes.

Sport buddies to be on call during the school day

The sport buddy activities are part of Vantaa of Many Hobbies (Harrastusten Vantaa) activities.

In the 2023–2024 school year sport buddies work at Lehtikuusen koulu and Rajakylän koulu in eastern Vantaa Martinlaakson koulu in western Vantaa.

The sport buddies work at the schools between 8:00 and 17:00, and the activities are organised at and in the immediate vicinity of the schools.

The practical activities are tailored to the needs and wishes of the schools and often include break-time sports and clubs.

Find out more: vantaa.fi/sportbuddies