Strong increase in girls who want to go to football gymnasium

The number of girls applying to the country’s football high schools is increasing significantly.
16-year-old Vilma Meidler chose to study in Åtvidaberg even though she is a single girl.
– It was very nervous and difficult. It became a little calmer once I got out on the field, she says.

The number of girls who applied to the country’s nationally approved football high schools has increased by 50 percent since 2019. 16-year-old Vilma Meidler has just started grade one. She chose high school in Åtvidaberg even though she is the only girl among 19 boys.

– It was very nervous and difficult. It became a little calmer once I got out on the field, she says.

Breaking the trend in Swedish football

The Swedish Football Association believes that the increase in the number of girls who want to go to football high school is due to a trend break in women’s football. More and more girls now believe in a life as a professional, that it is possible to make a living from the sport.

– It didn’t when I started playing football. Then I felt that girls were not treated the same as boys. Now it feels better, says Vilma Meidler.

“It was nervous and difficult at the beginning”

Vilma chose high school in Åtvidaberg because she wants to be close to home. She is usually the only girl among 19 guys at training.

– It was very nervous and difficult. But it became a little calmer once I got out on the pitch and started driving, says Vilma Meidler.

There are advantages to joint training for boys and girls.

– Diversity is required so that it doesn’t become too macho and harsh all the time, says Ruben Venables, who is in first year at Åtvidaberg’s football gymnasium.