The Unseen Consequences of Forcing Kids into a Single Sport Too Early

Norwegian sports clubs emphasize a philosophy known as “Children’s Rights in Sport,” which prioritizes fun and participation over competition. This approach means there are no scorekeeping, published standings, or national championships for young athletes. Kids are encouraged to play various sports to foster the Norwegian principle of idrettsglede, or “the joy of sport.” A notable example is star soccer player Erling Haaland, who developed his skills in a smaller club where practices were limited to once or twice a week until he turned about 10.