Thursday, 16 October, marked the official opening of the National Research Centre for Youth Sports (NCYS).
– We want to create a knowledge hub for both research and practice, in the form of federations and associations, says Henrik Gustafsson, professor of sports science.
As the director and head of research of NCYS, he hosted the opening ceremony at lunchtime on Thursday, 16 October. He explains that research into youth sports in Karlstad dates back to the 1980s, that this research has expanded significantly over the past two decades, and that the aim of the activities at NCYS is to create a sustainable and inclusive sports environment for young people.
– In close collaboration with the sports movement.
NCYS will also serve as a natural point of contact for both the media and the general public seeking current, research-based knowledge about youth sports.
Installed as an honorary doctor
Henrik Gustafsson then welcomed Vice-Chancellor Jerker Moodysson and sports researcher Alan L. Smith up on stage for the official opening and ribbon-cutting.
Alan L. Smith is an internationally recognised researcher in sports science and the interim president of Utah State University. He is also in Karlstad to be installed as an honorary doctor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences during the Academic Celebration on Friday, 17 October.
– It’s an immense pleasure and honor to be able to join in the opening of this research centre, says Jerker Moodysson, before cutting the ribbon.
– As many of you know, sport plays an important role at Karlstad University, as well as in Karlstad and Värmland as a whole. We have a fairly large group of researchers and teachers engaged in sport-related research, we offer education at both undergraduate and master's levels, and we are also involved in dual careers for athletes through our elite sports university. Today, there are around 70 active elite athletes taking advantage of the opportunities offered by Karlstad Elite Sports University.
Elite Sports University
One of them is Dalian Dawody, the reigning world champion in Thai boxing, who is soon to graduate from the Programme in Business and Economics. After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and a toast with alcohol-free bubbly, Henrik Gustafsson introduced him as one of the participants in a panel that also includes Madde Olsson from IF Göta, Malin Träff from the Swedish Sports Confederation and RF-SISU, and Stephan Hammar from Karlstad Municipality.
Among other things, the panel will discuss what kind of research they would like to see at NCYS.
– I would really like to know more about how we can encourage children to take up sport and stay involved over time, says Madde Olsson.
– I want to see research on how we can make it easy for children and young people to take up sport and have fun doing it, says Malin Träff.
– I believe it is absolutely vital to find ways to lower the threshold and create the right conditions for children and young people to get involved in sport, says Stephan Hammar.
Most important keys
Henrik Gustafsson then asked Dalian Dawody what has been most important in getting him involved in, and committed to, Thai boxing.
– For me, the key has been my leader and my coach, who have acted like two extra dads or older brothers. They have been so honest with me from the start, and we have built a great relationship, says Dalian Dawody.
Around 60 people attended the opening of NCYS. In addition to researchers and staff from Karlstad University, the event was attended by representatives from Karlstad Municipality, Region Värmland, the A9 regiment, the Swedish Sports Confederation, RF-SISU Värmland, Dalarna University, Örebro University, as well as the sports federations for cycling, orienteering, curling, skiing and powerlifting.
