Our right to influence sport!
We children and young people have the right to express our opinions on matters that affect our lives. Adults must listen to us and take us seriously. This is stated in Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is Swedish law. When we are allowed to participate, sports become more enjoyable, safer, and easier to continue with. When adults truly listen, it feels as though we genuinely matter.
However, being involved and making your voice heard is not always easy. It can feel unfamiliar, difficult, or unsafe—which is why this is something we children and young people need to practice from an early age.
And remember—it is also completely okay not to want to answer or make your voice heard!
What does participation actually mean?
For us, participation means:
- being able to say what we think
- being listened to
- being able to influence
Many adults think that increased participation means that we children and young people get to decide everything. But we know that is not what it is about—we want to be involved in deciding on things that concern us, together with each other and with adults.
Why is it important to increase children’s and young people’s participation?
It is our right
We children and young people have the right to say what we think. Adults must listen to us. This also applies in sport. This is stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We learn more
When we are allowed to be involved in making decisions, we learn more. We understand ourselves better and become braver. It helps us develop in sport.
More people want to continue
When sport suits us, it becomes more enjoyable. Then more children and young people want to keep doing sport for longer.
Safer sport
When children and young people are able to speak and be listened to, sport becomes safer. It becomes easier to speak up if something feels wrong.
We want to help
When we are able to participate, more children and young people want to get involved and contribute. Then we share the responsibility in the club.
A stronger club
Clubs that listen to children and young people become better and safer. This makes more people want to support and help the club.
Give us children and young people a voice—and strengthen the entire club
To help children, young people, and adults understand this better, there is a film here. In the film, we are the ones teaching adults—but we also learn ourselves about our rights and how we children and young people can participate in sport.
After you have watched the film, there are questions you can download to start discussions with your teammates about this.
Set aside 15 minutes at the next practice to get started in your training group!
How a sports club works
We children and young people want to be involved in influencing our sport. But how can we actually do that? In a club, the members decide together—children, young people, and adults. Everyone gets to say what they think. This is called club democracy. Review IFK Umeå’s easy-to-read statutes to learn more!
Annual general meeting
The association holds an annual general meeting once a year. Important decisions are made there, and a board of directors is elected. In many associations, members are eligible to vote from the age of 12. Please check the specific regulations for your association.
How we can say what we think
We can express our opinions in various ways. For example, through participation exercises during training >>. or by speaking with adults within the association. In some associations, there are special meeting places for children and young people where we have the opportunity to express our views on our sport.
The Democracy Path
Do you want to be involved in influencing your sport? We have tried different approaches that work for different ages. Take a look at the Democracy Path and find ideas you can try in your club!
