Supporting sport and leisure activities for young people
We give priority to supporting local junior teams and young individual athletes. We also support local/central Finnish sports clubs.
Sport for young people is the key not only to a healthy life, but also to a sense of community and responsibility. It is important for us to support young athletes/teams on their journey towards their
own goals.
We believe that sport is one of the best ways to teach important life skills such as perseverance, teamwork and self-discipline.
Why should youth sport be supported?
A healthy lifestyle:
Physical activity is an essential part of children’s and young people’s well-being. Regular exercise improves physical fitness, reduces stress and supports mental well-being.
Community spirit:
Through sport, young people learn to cooperate, respect each other and build strong social networks. These skills go a long way in sport and in life.
Strengthening self-confidence:
Achievements on the field or track can boost young people’s self-esteem and give them a sense of achievement that spills over into other areas of their lives.
Supported teams and athletes for the 2026-2027 season
Football
JJK – P14 Team
A junior age-group team of JJK that started in 2020. The team has 45 players. The competitive team plays Level 1 games, and the challenge team competes in Level 2 games in the P10 division.
Bronze medalists in the 2024 Ilves Cup held in the fall.
Laukaa United P2023 Team
The Laukaa United P2013 YJ team consists of teams:
Laukaa YJ red and Laukaa YJ green
Laukaa YJ Red competes in the Level 1 competitive series, while Laukaa YJ Green plays in the Level 2 challenger series. This setup provides each player the opportunity to practice, play, and develop according to their strengths. In the 2025–2026 season, approx. 40 enthusiastic players are part of the Laukaa United P2013 YJ team.
FLOORBALL
Urho – P12 Team
Urho – T16 Team
Suolahden Urho is a sports club from Äänekoski, founded in 1992. Its floorball section offers a wide range of activities for both adults and junior players.
ICE HOCKEY
Urho – Men’s First Team – 2-division
The Suolahden Urho First Team competes in the 2nd Division with high ambitions. In addition, Urho has nearly 250 hockey players across all levels, from hockey school to recreational groups. Among Urho’s players, Jaakko Hämäläinen is the sponsored player of Kurikka Timber for the 2025–2026 season.
JYP – Men’s SM-Liiga
JYP is a sports club from Central Finland that plays ice hockey in the country’s top league, the Liiga.
JYP connects the people of Central Finland by offering experiences, emotions, and a sense of belonging through sports throughout the entire region.
The athletic goal of the Liiga team is to compete in the Liiga arenas and develop players towards an international career.
BASKETBALL
Kipinä Basket – First Division
Kipinä Basket from Äänekoski is one of the top preseason favorites in the men’s First Division A of Finnish basketball. The winner of the league is offered a place in the Korisliiga.
Powerlifting
Emma Honkonen
We are proud to support powerlifter Emma Honkonen also for the 2026 season. Emma’s achievements include two Finnish Championship gold medals, two European Championship silver medals, and one World Championship bronze medal in the sub-junior category in 2024.
Most recently, she achieved an impressive fifth place at the World Championships held in Costa Rica in 2025, where she competed in the 63 kg / U23 category.
