The International Floorball Federation (IFF) organised its first-ever Youth Camp in early June in Tammela, Finland, in partnership with the Eerikkilä Sports Institute, the official training centre for the Finnish national floorball and football teams.
The aim of the camp was to provide the 49 players from 15 countries and 11 coaches from seven countries with an insight into how modern floorball is coached and the trends currently shaping the game. The main objective was for the participating coaches to take these learnings back to their own clubs and federations. The six-day event was built around daily educational sessions for both players and coaches, featuring video analysis, technical and game practice, and a match every evening. The camp concluded with a floorball tournament. It was not all about floorball, however, as participants were able to use all the sports facilities at Eerikkilä. The combination of intensive training and enjoyable experiences created an environment that motivated players to learn while having fun.
– We are very happy, as the camp has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the participants, with many describing it as a transformative experience that improved their skills, broadened their understanding of the game, and created friendships that crossed national borders, says the Eerikkilä Sports Institute headmaster, Antti Jokinen.
Survey responses reveal that the camp successfully combined high-quality coaching, intensive training, and a welcoming international atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for players, goalkeepers, and coaches alike.
Significant Growth in Skills and Game Understanding
The most frequently mentioned learning outcome was the improved performance of the 12–15-year-old participants, who were divided into three groups based on their experience. Participants consistently reported learning new skills, gaining a deeper understanding of the game, and making noticeable progress in their overall level of play.
Many of the players highlighted improvements in their tactical understanding and game awareness. They noted that they learned how to find space more effectively—both in terms of depth and width—as well as how to improve their vision and scanning habits, remain composed under pressure, and better understand team tactics, transitions, and decision-making.
Technical development was equally prominent. Participants reported progress in passing, ball control, first-touch execution, shooting, forehand use, stick pressure, and one-on-one situations. This combination of tactical and technical training helped players develop a more complete understanding of the sport.
Goalkeepers also reported valuable improvements, particularly in positioning, movement, staying upright, and making more effective decisions when leaving the goal area.
Some participating coaches highlighted the opportunity to learn new coaching and training methodologies, while others appreciated the chance to improve their English skills and gain exposure to different cultures and languages.
Why Participants Recommend the Camp
The most common reason for recommending the camp was the significant improvement players experienced. The majority of the participating players mentioned that they learned a great deal and became better players through the programme.
The coaching staff running the camp emerged as another major strength; participants praised the coaches for being knowledgeable, approachable, supportive, and highly effective educators. The quality of the coaching team and the education provided became one of the camp’s defining features.
High-Quality Training and Professional Organisation
Feedback from both players and coaches indicated that the training sessions were of a very high quality, being both educational and challenging. The camp’s organisation was also highly appreciated, with the well-structured schedule, smooth logistics, and clear planning all contributing to a positive overall experience.
The facilities, accommodation, food, and the venue itself received positive feedback, with participants noting that these factors helped create a comfortable and professional environment conducive to learning and performance.
– The results demonstrate that the camp is valued not only as a place to become a better floorball player or coach, but also as a community where participants can learn, connect, and create lasting memories with people from around the world, says Hannu Santanen, head coach of the IFF Youth Camp.
