The pandemic has left its mark.
All missed training and competitions in recent years have meant that many younger skiers have chosen to leave cross-country skiing.
- We note clearly fewer participants in, for example, the Youth DM.
These are signals we take very seriously.
We hope to be able to help reverse the trend through the project, says Joakim Abrahamsson, sports director for Piteå Elite.
The young people in focus
It is not about getting new elite skiers, but the most important thing is to make cross-country skiing grow in Norrbotten on all levels.
More younger skiers, more coaches with education and people who can make a contribution to the association's broad repertoire.
- With the young people in focus, we hope to achieve positive effects for cross-country skiing in the county, says Joakim Abrahamsson.
Summer camp with elite active
The target group is ski youths between twelve and sixteen years old.
And already at the end of May, the first youth camp will start at Lindbäcksstadtion.
In total, Piteå Elite plans seven meetings during the year with leaders on site.
- I have longed and dreamed of being involved in youth sports, says Magdalena Pajala, formerly active cross-country skier and one of the leaders.
The club's elite active will participate in at least one summer camp.
These are role models such as Jonna Sundling, Ebba Andersson and Johan Häggström.
The project has received a positive response from the clubs in the county and the Norrbotten Ski Association, which also contributes financially.
The largest individual financier is Sparbanken Nord.
Hear more about the youth project in the video above.