FEATURE STORIES

Local sports keep rural communities alive

For nearly a hundred years, soccer has been played in Ostvik and Drängsmark. Keeping the club running means mowing grass, brewing coffee, and making football happen – all on a volunteer basis.
“We do it together. It works in a village,” says Ulrica Marklund, the club’s youth coordinator.

Look up the term “sports romance” in any dictionary, and there’s a good chance a picture of the Sjöberga sports complex in Ostvik—two mil north of Skellefteå—will pop up. At least, that’s how it should be. Because this place is the epitome of vibrant community life.

It’s a late summer evening, and the youth teams of Ostvik/Drängsmark IK are practicing. The two neighboring villages—and former rivals—have joined forces and now play together. From the locker room, you can catch a whiff of that faint but unmistakable scent of liniment that feels like a must at sports facilities like this.

This evening, several children’s and youth teams are practicing. The 11–12-year-old boys are out on the main field. If anyone misses the goal with a shot, the ball lands in the backyard of one of the houses on Häggbärsgatan. On the small artificial turf field next to the school, the mixed group for boys and girls born in 2018 is practicing. A stone’s throw away, down by the lake, lies a third field, known as Sjönära.

“The fact that we can have so much activity is largely thanks to the parents stepping up and serving as coaches. It’s about holding meetings, motivating them, and organizing training for anyone who wants it. We do it together, and everyone gets to participate,” says Ulrica Marklund.

She moved here from the city when she met her husband, Anders, but soon became an integral part of the village.
“I quickly decided not to just be ‘Anders’s wife.’ I wanted to be myself, Ulrica. I played soccer back then and started playing in Ostvik. Since then, I’ve continued to get involved.”

In her day job, Ulrica works as a tailor at the Västerbotten Theater in Skellefteå. But she often spends her evenings here among the kids, balls, and the local community.

“I think it’s important to work with young people. I’ve coached both of my own children. You get so much in return. You get to know the kids’ friends and you know who their parents are. I wouldn’t want to trade that for anything!”

Right now, soccer is the main activity at the club, but they’ve also offered floorball, hockey, dance, and hobby horse riding.

“We go with whatever the kids want to do. And we try to keep everyone active, even our retirees. They meet every weekday morning, go for a walk, and have a cup of coffee at the clubhouse afterward. They call themselves the ‘Antikrundan,’” says Ulrica.

A Way of Life

Standing by the clubhouse is Mikael “Mygga” Lindgren. He’s the president of Ostviks IK and can often be found here in Sjöberga.

“Two hours before the game, I get everything ready. Then I usually stick around for an hour afterward to clean up. When there are practices, I make sure everything runs smoothly. We need to have the equipment ready, the doors need to be unlocked, and the soccer field needs to be mowed and marked.”

Mikael has been involved since he was a youth player himself, and the club has been a part of his life ever since.

“It’s a great sense of community. It becomes a bit of a way of life,” he says.

Cooperation

The village of Ostvik has just over 500 residents, Drängsmark has around 500, and there are also nearby villages. Together, they have twelve teams in the youth soccer leagues, plus two men’s teams—one in Division 5 and one in Division 6. The most important thing, Mikael says, is that everyone gets to play.

Making ends meet isn’t always easy.

“It’s expensive to run teams, but we have a veterans’ cup that brings in money. And we help out with the village revue every other year. That brings in a little extra.”

Calling him a driving force is hardly an exaggeration.

“But there are others besides me. No club can function without passionate people. You just have to grit your teeth and get on with it,” he says with a laugh.

It’s time to wrap up tonight’s practice. Cones, vests, and balls are gathered up as the sun sinks lower and lower over Sjöberga. Mikael looks out over the field, and when asked how he sees the future of sports in the village, he doesn’t hesitate.

“Both villages are growing. I think the club will keep going strong in the future, too. I’m hopeful,” says Mikael. 

Text: Olov Antonsson

Photo: Patrick Degerman