Ulriken Eagles Investing HEAVILY In The Next Generation

A One-On-One with Arild Buen

Within Bergen's basketball community, Mr. Arild Buen is a familiar face with a legacy of leadership. Known for his commitment to youth development, and dedication to the Ulriken Eagles and Bergen basketball. Now, after years of involvement and careful consideration, Buen is taking on a new position as the General Manager of the Ulriken Eagles, a role that starts an exciting new chapter for the club and its continued focus on social responsibility especially for their girls initiatives and club collaborations.  

"The club had been discussing this possibility for a couple of years," explains Buen. "To continue developing Ulriken Eagles, we recognized the need for someone working full-time. When the opportunity became real, I began asking myself whether this was something I truly wanted to do."

Having spent years in a demanding professional environment while simultaneously contributing to the Ulriken Eagles club, Buen saw an opportunity to dedicate his full attention to something he has always been passionate about: building a stronger future for the next generation within Bergen.

Being Present Where It Matters Most

One of Buen's greatest strengths has been his accessibility and care for people.

As General Manager of the Ulriken Eagles, he looks forward to spending more time with players, coaches, volunteers, parents, and supporters throughout the day.

"I hope that by being more available during daytime hours and around practices, it will be beneficial for everyone," says Buen. "I enjoy working with young people, and it's equally important to take care of our senior players and members as well."

This balanced perspective reflects the philosophy that has long guided Ulriken Eagles: developing athletes while also strengthening the community around them.

Growing the Girls' Game

One of the most important priorities across Bergen basketball is increasing participation among girls, recruitment, and creating stronger opportunities for female athletes to thrive.

Buen believes success begins with long-term commitment.

"We need to focus on girls at both the youth and senior levels," he says. "We're fortunate to have outstanding female role models in Ulriken Eagles. We also need to continue recruiting girls at a young age and ensure we take care of them once they join the club."

He emphasizes that sustainable growth requires patience and consistency.

"The results will come if we continue investing in young people and creating positive experiences."

Buen also highlights the importance of cooperation among Bergen's clubs, noting that the creation of Basketakademiet has helped establish stronger relationships across the basketball community. Basketakademiet has improved collective social responsibility because the clubs work together to develop the basketball community as a whole.They all share responsibility for recruiting local girls, supporting them in staying within their own club throughout puberty, hence the importance of locally anchored SUPER ROLE MODELS. Community work and active volunteerism for the club that includes participation from people outside and within the club is another element he wishes to see elevated. This includes such work as volunteering in Veteran NM, Bergen Basketfestival Hansa Cup, tournaments, girls initiatives, camps and other events. Each team should be self serving and sustainable with financial feeding pathways such as selling raffle tickets, recycling of bottles, and local sponsors.

Creating Future Leaders and Role Models

Buen believes clubs have a responsibility to develop future leaders, role models, and contributors to the local society and beyond. He sees that having good coaches from an early age is key and that practices should be fun, engaging, and meaningful, while the use of senior players as role models within the Ulriken Eagles is massively important - as are ones throughout the wider basketball community. This vision extends beyond player development and includes creating opportunities for young athletes to see what is possible when commitment, teamwork, and character come together.

Elevating the Women's Basketball Experience

As the Ulriken Eagles continue investing in its women's BLNO program, Buen sees tremendous opportunity to create memorable experiences for players, families, supporters, and young fans.

"The key is creating a great atmosphere," he says. "We also need to be visible in the community. There is a lot of competition for people's attention today, so we need to be willing to try new ideas and make certain games feel special."

Whether through community partnerships, themed events, youth engagement opportunities, or innovative game-day experiences, Buen believes women's basketball deserves an even bigger platform. Importantly, he also hopes younger players will recognize the value of supporting older female athletes.  Buen is an advocate about the importance for younger girls to understand that supporting older girls matters. When they see athletes competing at the highest level in Norway, it helps them envision their own future.

Building Partnerships That Matter

While attracting sponsors will remain an important part of his new role, Buen sees that the strongest partnerships are built on shared values. Sponsors can help create memorable experiences through giveaways and activities. However, Buen believes in the importance that sponsors see and understand the community work being done by the club. For him, that is just as important as having a logo displayed as sports is a community builder especially for youth.

Buen is also eager to continue supporting collaborative initiatives such as Basketakademiet, which was founded to help Bergen clubs achieve more by working together.

He credits Basketball Academy leader Kristoffer Gjerde Sætren for helping establish a strong foundation and believes continued cooperation will be essential moving forward.

"When clubs work together, everyone benefits. If I can contribute and support that work, I absolutely will."

His perspective reflects a broader understanding that basketball's future in Bergen will depend on individual club success and on collective progress throughout the region.

Giving Back to the Next Generation

When asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind, Buen's answer is both precise and powerful.

"I want us to continue doing a good job for both youth and senior players, boys and girls. I want us to continue serving our community and growing the game."

And perhaps most ambitiously:

"I want us to one day play in front of thousands of people."

For a man who has dedicated so much of his life to basketball, that vision is about more than attendance numbers. It represents social responsibility, a thriving community, a growing sport, and generations of young people discovering confidence, friendship, and opportunity through basketball.

His message to the next generation—especially young girls—is equally straightforward:

"Come and try it. You'll fall in love with the sport. Physical activity is important for everyone. Stay with your local club when you're young, support one another, and continue working together. Cooperation will help all of us.