Our adventure begins in the picturesque town of Namsos, Norway, home to the grassroots football team, NIL Damer (or NIL Ladies). Nestled in the middle of Norway, this municipality of only 12,000 people welcomes us with open arms. We are greeted at the clubhouse with traditional Norwegian smoked salmon and coffee, setting the tone for a day filled with fun, football and friendship.
Namsos is known for its unpredictable weather. It is a place you can experience all four seasons in one afternoon. The remnants of winter linger on in scattered piles of unmelted snow, while the bright sunlight renders the daytime in a hard to describe crispness and clarity. The wind alternates between biting cold and gentle warmth. The small town plays host to ethereal mornings where mist rises from the water, obscuring everything. Then in a snap it has disappeared to reveal its everyday, yet epic, backdrop.
NIL Damer is the first team sponsored through Matchday's Grassroots scheme, a testament to our love for football at all levels. The team comprises players in their early twenties to mid-forties, all united by their passion for the game. Football in Namsos is an everyday part of life, the same as hiking or driving electric cars. When a match is on, it seems the whole town comes out to watch and cheer. There is a deep community connection to the sport that is impossible to imagine in bigger cities.
We drop in on an evening training session. It takes place on a pitch surrounded by wild landscapes, nature, water and mountains. The awe-inspiring backdrop leaves us breathless. "Is this normal?" we ask, about the scenery. "Is what normal?" came the reply. "Oh, this? Yes, we don't even think about it unless you're walking up one of the mountains."
During our visit, we interviewed the players, learning about their lives and their love for football. We challenged them to recreate famous free kicks and signature celebrations, and even the local newspaper stopped by to cover our visit. The players shared their favourite footballers, all the typical names were mentioned, with maybe a slight preference for Norwegian stars. Understandable given the nation's pride in its football heritage.
Norway, with a population of only 5 million, consistently excels in world football. Our visit provided insight into why this might be. Football is deeply integrated into everyday life, with a strong emphasis on grassroots development, not to mention excellent facilities. During an under-15s game, several match balls sat behind the goal line, ensuring no delays if a ball goes astray. During the match, local kids diligently return them.
During a match for even younger players, the parents' cheers of encouragement around the pitch. Here, it's not about shouting in frustration or giving the ref a hard time, but ensuring the players can enjoy their moment. In Norway, this focus on participation and enjoyment early on has reaped dividends. It’s no accident that of the 36 youth players Erling Haaland trained with as a child, 30 of them still play football and half a dozen went on to become professionals. With so many adults continuing to play at all levels, any child who outgrows their own team can train with a group that matches their skill.
Matchday’s visit to Namsos was a glimpse into a vibrant football culture where the sport is closely entwined into the everyday pace of life. In future we’ll delve deeper into the stories of the individual players at NIL Damer. But until then one thing is certain: the women of NIL will continue to play with passion and dedication, whether cameras are present or not. The town is watching.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the journey of NIL Damer and other grassroots teams. If you have a suggestion for a grassroots team that could fit with Matchday, why not join our community and let us know? Everyone is welcome to our community space on Discord. Come and shape the future of football (and football gaming) with us.
