I am not sure that I have ever actually explained how the soccer league I play in works, and how it can be compared to what I grew up with in the U.S. ...so here goes:
When I started playing soccer, I played on a recreational team in my hometown. Anyone of a certain age could play, the coaches were usually volunteers and you paid a relatively small fee to join. Some kids also played on select teams, where the coaches were still mostly volunteers but also got paid, you had to try out and "make" the team and the competition, price and traveling expectations were also more demanding. I played a few years on a select team as well and enjoyed traveling and playing in tournaments a lot.
North Kitsap High School Soccer
But what I probably enjoyed the most was playing for my high school and thereafter at college. For teenagers in the U.S. that is probably what most athletes dedicate their time to and value the most--playing for their alma matter. There are try outs, yes, so one does have to make the cut. Athletes or their parents do not have to pay out of pocket and traveling expenses are covered as well
(taxes that support the school also support the athletic programs). There is a lot of pride associated with playing for one's school.
Pacific Lutheran University Soccer
I also played in college and that was equally as rewarding as being involved athletically in high school. I attended a private university so I paid quite a bit of tuition to study there, but did not have to pay any extra fees to join either the soccer or softball team
(although one did have to pay for some gear, i.e. shoes, a bag etc).
Pacific Lutheran University Soccer
So to simplify things greatly, growing up in the U.S. kids generally play on rec teams, select teams or for their high school or college\university*. But after college\high school or wherever your talent takes you, the options thin out. There are of course recreational options available, but the competitive level is completely different; it is almost impossible to recreate the environment you experienced as a high school or college athlete where you are training with your teammates several times a week and traveling together to games
(if you are not good enough or choose not to play professionally, that is). I know a lot of athletes that actually go through a tough period adjusting to life without that athletic outlet; some of them I would even go as far as to say experience a sort of depression.
In Norway, however, it is not as often for teams to be associated with schools. Teams are instead connected to geographical areas, much like the recreational teams I grew up with in the U.S. You will pay a fee to join, and are expected to participate in volunteer activities or
dugnad where you support the club in other ways, like working the snack stand at games or selling raffle tickets or scoring contracts.
But the biggest differences between my American and Norwegian soccer experiences are so rad, I have to say! First, the teams are not so strictly separated by age. At my club in
Brumunddal there is a women's team and a girl's team, but age really doesn't matter. The players are more separated by talent
(although if an older chick sucked I am not sure she would be allowed to play on the junior team?). The average age on my team is probably 19 or 20...but one of our goalies is 15 and one of our forwards is 37! This aspect of Norwegian
fotball is something I have really enjoyed. It is a wonderful experience to play with people that are on the same page commitment and skill wise, as opposed to just people that are in a similar age bracket.
And the coolest difference?! If you manage to accumulate the fewest points in your division then you drop down to the next division. Maybe that's not so cool, but if you rack up the most points... LIKE WE HAVE DONE!!! ... then you jump up to the next division! I believe the thought behind this is to keep the level of competition as even as possible. Makes sense, right? The terms for it, btw, are
promotion and relegation and American, Canadian and Australian teams are the few that don't have such a system. But anyway---the point was-----
we took first place!!
Here you see us after we got presented with our 1st place trophy after a cold, wet and fairly unimpressive last home game against
Kjellmyra Sunday afternoon. They even lit off some fireworks to Queen's "We Are the Champions" to celebrate our accomplishment.
(It's kinda a big deal.)
First place! Not too shabby! :)
In the U.S., first place means glory, satisfaction and accomplishment. In Norway, it means glory, satisfaction, accomplishment and a new challenge for the coming year.
Vi gleder oss.
*I am not claiming that I know everything about all the sports options in the U.S. or in Norway. There is obviously a lot I do not know! What I have related here is what was common for kids in my area growing up and what I have experienced in my time here in Eastern Norway. I am positive there are other options both in WA and in other areas around the U.S. and Norway.
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