– This is an absolutely fantastic agreement for us, where SpareBank1 Nord-Norge really places itself at the front of the locomotive to lift girls’ and women’s football in the north through Glimt. Glimt’s girls and women’s investment has been extremely well received by our partners, but the amount the bank contributes here is by far the largest, and something we greatly appreciate, says Tom Steffensen, head of marketing and sales at FK Bodø/ Flash.
A few weeks ago, Bodø/Glimt signed a new three-year general partner agreement with SpareBank1 Nord-Norge. In the comprehensive agreement, there was also agreement on a significant investment in women’s football.
Now the girls in yellow will also be given the opportunity to aim for the top of Norwegian football. And they will do that with a base in the cultural capital in the north, and with 9.9 million in the back from Samfunnsløftet.
Trude Glad at Sparebank 1 Nord-Norge wants to give women a big boost.
Photo: Vilde Hiller Rasmussen
– This is a really big boost, and we believe it sends a clear signal that now the girls will also be allowed to cultivate their talent and passion here in the north. It’s about identity and pride, and not least it’s about equal opportunities, says Trude Glad, CEO of the corporate market at SpareBank1 Nord-Norge.
– Solid foundation wall
From 2024, it will be Bodø/Glimt’s yellow kits that will front top investment in girls’ and women’s football, after IK Grand has been the region’s flagship for several years. Glimt will build on the strong foundation that IK Grand Bodø has laid, and with the support from Samfunnsløftet, there is now a solid foundation for targeted investment in the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
– This initiative is completely in line with the strategy of the Community Initiative, and perhaps especially within the youth initiative and our talent initiative. By highlighting the Glimt girls, we are helping to develop new talents and female role models for the entire region, with a clear objective that women’s football in the entire region is lifted to new heights, says Trude Glad.
Both SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge and Bodø/Glimt are happy that a targeted investment in Bodø can now gain momentum.
– Girls’ and women’s football is really about to be taken to new heights in Europe and the rest of the world and we at Glimt are very much looking forward to taking part in this development, says Tarald Laugsand, sporting administrative manager for the women’s initiative at Glimt.
On March 8, Bodø/Glimt celebrated Women’s Day. Watch video below, or by clicking here.
Equal opportunities
The agreement between Glimt and Sparebank 1 Nord-Norge deals with the top investment, but also the big investment Glimt is making in girls’ and women’s football in the north. This means that Glimt will visit its cooperative clubs and partners around the county with the SNN academy also on the girls’ side – and Glimt will have its own customized program for the girls.
Tom Steffensen in Bodø/Glimt says that this is a very good agreement.
Photo: Vilde Hiller Rasmussen
Head of marketing and sales at FK Bodø/Glimt, Tom Steffensen, believes the agreement is also a milestone in the Action Now project.
– Through the agreement, SpareBank1 Nord-Norge not only supports the top football product in Glimt, they support something significantly bigger through what we have chosen to call “Action Now – Like Opportunities”. Until now, the opportunities to realize their football potential in the north have been very different on the boys’ and girls’ side. Through Action Now – Equal Opportunities, we will try to close this gap as much as possible, says Tom Steffensen.
Trude Glad is looking forward to following the initiative in the years to come, and hopes both the city and the region will find their way to the stadium when the girls in yellow will fight for points and promotion.
– We are already looking forward to the day the girls fill Aspmyra on the same level as the boys, and the first chance to give the girls a real boost is already on Sunday, says Trude Glad.
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