SOK opens for support to Damkronorna

It took a week for the parties to meet. The 43 national team players' boycott of the women's crowns was announced last Wednesday, and the most urgent demands to return to games were about financial compensation and treatment. On Thursday, the players were represented by the trade union Sico in an "introductory meeting" with the ice hockey association.

In a somewhat larger perspective, the conflict involves several different parties: the union, the league SDHL, the individual clubs, the players and - not to forget - SOK. It was in connection with SOK's withdrawal of support, after the failing results of recent years' tournaments, that the flame of the conflict ignited. That's where the majority of the money came from.

Peter Reinebo, head of operations at SOK, explains the decision.

- We have not seen any positive development in recent years. Compared to 2015, the programs are not stronger, the players are not physically better and the results are worse, he says.

- There are a lot of foreign players in the clubs, they eat resources and playing time. During the same period, the Finnish national team has gone the other way and we have maybe a dozen Finnish players in Sweden, who also get really good conditions.

But Reinebo, who describes himself as an optimist, opens the door for SOK support to return and meet with the union in September.

- It has to do with whether you decide to invest in achieving international success. Our organization is not for a national team to function well, but for it to be Swedish Olympic medals.

Peter Reinebo does not want to comment on the compensation issue in detail and agrees to take sides in the conflict.

- I don't think only one party can fix it, but everyone should pull their straw to the stack.

- Clarify the level of ambition and start reasoning on how to reach that level. It is possible that you have different views on the level of ambition, but I hope it is higher than it is now, he says.

TT: How important is a good Ladies' crown in OS 2022 for you?

- Ice hockey is important in our country. After all, we got off because we were disappointed with the development. We want to turn it around, of course. I hope and believe that they can put the ambition together. But 2022 is too short-term.