According to the clubs, the academy team is crucial for the best players to be able to develop and want to stay at the club.
But Jakob Forssmed, Minister of Social Affairs with responsibility for sports and public health, is critical of the investments.
– I think you should avoid early topping and selection. It is not a good way to conduct sports activities for 7-10-year-olds, he says.
Many clubs also offer teams in lower divisions, for those who do not place in the top team. But according to Jakob Forssmed, it still contributes to excitement in sports at ever lower ages.
– I think of the children who are selected, who are not allowed to join when their friends disappear on their way to the academy. I think you should really think about it.
Researchers: Academies counterproductive
Several sports researchers also believe that the academy efforts are counterproductive – both for the young talents and for public health.
– The best recipe for elite activity is to get more people to continue into the old age. We see other confederations that have postponed the age for selection where there has been increased interest, says Jakob Forssmed.
The National Sports Confederation is also critical of elite investment before the age of 13. The justification is that it can be harmful to children – and that it is not considered to work.
The government has now made demands on the various associations to report how they work towards early selection.
– The purpose of the support is for as many people as possible to get the chance to play sports, especially when you are seven, eight, nine years old, says Jakob Forssmed.