Ice hockey is really big in Finland and it is not surprising that many teens and children want to emulate their favourite players and dream of playing ice hockey professionally some day.
The city of Vaasa has an ice hockey team playing in the highest division of the league and is called Vaasan Sport.
Vaasan Sport was founded in 1939 as IF Sport. The team was involved in the founding of the Finnish top division Liiga, formerly known as SM-Liiga.
Vaasan Sport and The Youth Services of the City of Vaasa have organised an event where youth from the city and around can meet the players of Vaasan Sport and spend some time with them.
The event
Youngvaasa vs. Vaasan Sport’ is a fun event organized by The Youth Services of the City of Vaasa. The event is organized during the spring break. Youngvaasa vs. Vaasan Sport takes place at Ristikka Youth House in Ristinummi on Thursday 28.2. from 19-21.
– Some players of ice hockey team Vaasan Sport are coming to Ristikka Youth House in Ristinummi. During the event, youth house’s visitors can get to know the players they see as athletic role models, and for example, challenge the players to play a game of their choice, says Kaisa Salo, the Youth secretary.
– Last time when the event was organized in Kultsa Youth House the youth challenged the players for a pool game and for some PlayStation games.
During the spring break, Ristikka’s services are open to all 13-17-year-olds and so any youth interested to meet the players are welcome.
The organisation
The Youth Services of the City of Vaasa offer young people several low step services in everyday life as well as in leisure time.
The Youth Services organizes a lot of different events and free-time activities. Follow their Facebook and Instagram account @youngvaasa (Vaasan kaupungin nuorisopalvelut) to get the information about current services aimed at young people.
– Last year we found out that young people find players of different sports as role models. We wanted to give them a chance to meet some of the local players and noticed that these meetings were a huge success.
– We are glad to hear young people’s opinions and wishes and want them to participate in developing services aimed at them. The event is organized in the spring break week because not everyone goes away during the holidays.
– We have promoted the event in social media and encouraged our youth house visitors to participate face to face. We have noticed that the best way to spread the info is to have a young person sharing it with others, says Salo.
Rathan Kumar