ULRIKEN EAGLES PROVE DROP-OUTS CAN BE PREVENTED

Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Nrk.no reports an URGENT RED ALERT in Norway for YOUTH DROPOUT RATES IN SPORTS. An alarmingly high 6 out of 10 children drop out of sports before turning 18 years old, due to lack of social belonging. This dropout is the reason why the NextGen Neighbor Network (NNN) initiative was created in Norway, driven by escalating youth crime, youth smartphone dependency, and the deterioration of what it means to be a great neighbor, a community builder and contributor to your local community. NNN works as an emergency kit for survival of the great local sustainable ecosystems that do exist; where children, no matter their background, financial situation, or parents’ involvement, stay physically active long-term, and where their parents and other volunteers find belonging and long term friendships by being local ambassadors for social capital. Ulriken Eagles is an extraordinary example where basketball is used as a tool for integration, inclusion and belonging for everyone in a low income area with approximately 30 nationalities. LIM project by Mr Arild Hovland is another great example, in addition to Frøya Basket in Bergen with over 45 nationalities.

The NextGen Neighbor Network has used  the words “I care” to create a universal visual campaign for social capital to bridge the gap between people, different sports, schools and local communities. Super Role Models from sports who systematically and consistently show up to nurture relationships with children to keep them physically active have been documented and shown to the public. High quality visual awareness around socially responsible ambassadors, sports role models and community leaders who collaborate cross-sectorially help visually express what it means to actively care for youth belonging, public health, development, integration, inclusion and social capital. 

Caring is the one thing that connects us— in Bergen, Norway we have started evaluating children for their social competence, character and responsibilities, rather than judging them for their roots, background or personal challenges. LIM is doing exactly that, and introducing children to more than 15 different types of sports after school, with safe adults offering food and homework assistance for girls and boys together, creating belonging for the entire local community. The NextGen Neighbor Network visually highlights the local sustainable ecosystems, their role models and local ambassadors with sport as a vehicle for growth, where schools, sports clubs, culture, and community come together to act and collaborate cross-sectorially; simultaneously and united in unison for the children and the local society.

The Owner of Meteva Sport og Helse and Founder of NextGen Neighbor Network, Louise Mohn, has invested all her time and finances for two years to bring awareness to the Norwegian government, local businesses, and other sponsors of the immense value SPORTS and local eco systems such as Ulriken Eagles and LIM have to society. Keeping children physically active from 0-20 years, bridging them onto college education in the US, recruiting them back into Ulriken Eagles as life long volunteers securing safe, responsible adults for the next generation, securing no drop outs, youth crime or exclusion. Louise Mohn holds the government responsible for the fall outs and urges anyone with the means to step in and step up with funding youth sports, its volunteers, and role models in what she believes gives the best Social Return On Investment (SROI) and best case scenario for Corporate Social Responsibility for any corporation. She and her dedicated team made up of communications expert and long-time contributor for Maria Shriver’s The Sunday Paper in The US, Matthew Caprio and Professional International Basketball Player, Bouna Black Ndiaye who comes with a double major in Finance and Business Management have worked to create the NextGen Neighbor Network branding and framework, to illustrate how engagement can be appreciated, consistently grow, and become a sustainable model in each local area.

Ulriken Eagles’ most powerful contribution to the basketball community is the cultivation of its coaches and role models. Durell Sanford represents the epitome of a leader in girls' development from SFO projects and during puberty within sports, education, and beyond. The entire BLNO roster of players coach younger teams too and participate in girls initiatives. Families such as the Austgulens, Buen, Jacobsens, the Sanfords, and so many others embody this multigenerational commitment, with parents coaching, children playing, and siblings volunteering. This creates the very foundation of a sustainable local ecosystem and a strong neighborhood. 

Ulriken Eagles align deeply with The Children’s Rights in Sports policy in Norway. They build community, prevent drop outs and secure the Kings Cup every year. They prove the value of social capital, so please join us in the SHIFT IN PARADIGM from financial capital to SOCIAL CAPITAL.