Two years ago, athletics coaches Gladys Samuelsson and Sara Wäsström from Spårvägens FK in Stockholm decided to start a new section in the southern suburb of Sätra.

The catchment area includes Bredäng and Vårberg, two districts defined by the police as vulnerable areas.  

- Even though the hall was here, not many people from the area practiced athletics.

That's why we started the whole thing to be able to make a difference, make a contribution, says Gladys Samuelsson. 

There may be language barriers

Today around 30 children train together at Sätra IP.

Coach Sara Wäsström is happy that so many have found their way here, but also feels that there are challenges. 

- It is more demanding to be a leader in socio-economically weaker areas.

A very large part is communication.

We want to reach out with information and there may be language barriers.

For various reasons, there is a lower level of parental involvement.  

- And then a lot is based on us reaching the children directly.

Remind, encourage, make sure they come to competitions and training.

Answer all kinds of questions that in other contexts you might only be able to email out and then it is someone else who ensures that the children get the information, she says. 

Want to lower the thresholds for the children

Sara Wäsström feels that the support that Spårvägen has received does not cover all the needs that exist.

The government integration money, which is distributed via the National Sports Confederation, has been earmarked for training and recruitment efforts.  

In total, it is a project grant of SEK 17,000, of which SEK 7,000 has gone to the recruitment of managers and SEK 10,000 to the training of the board and managers in diversity issues. 

The trainers in Sätra would like there to be grants that also covered joint replacements and reduced training fees. 

- A huge part of the reasons why children don't get involved is a bad economy.

I don't think everyone understands how tight the finances are in some households, says Sara Wäsström. 

"Make sure there are enough resources"

Of eight parties in the Riksdag, seven want to see an increase in targeted government support for sports' integration work after the election.  

If you were to address the parliamentary parties directly, what would you like them to do?    

- I would like them to ensure that it is much more accessible, that there are lower costs to participate in organized sports.

It is very important.

And that it is ensured that there are enough resources in sports.

Today, most of it is based on non-profit forces.