Under the project ”Get Gotland Moving,” local networks for public health were created in Fårösund, Slite, Östergarn, Roma, Klintehamn, and Hemse and surrounding areas. Here, RF-SISU collaborated with associations in the regions and conducted training and activities.
– We encountered fantastic engagement! It included, among other things, training for coaches and leaders, courses in first aid for mental health, and wellness courses for the elderly. Additionally, concrete activities such as quiz walks, bike excursions, and Olympic days at the schools on the southern island – an initiative that continues after the project has ended, says Anita Gandå at RF SISU, who together with Rina Muttoni was the project manager for ”Get Gotland Moving.”.
And there are several initiatives from the project that are now continuing and developing in local groups.
– The photo walk in Roma has continued after the project, as have wellness courses in Hemse and Östergarn that continue with activities. In Östergarn, a gym group and a table tennis group have also emerged as a result of the project, says Anita.
Another great example of ”spin-offs” from the project is ”On Bounce” in Fårösund.
”The ”On Bounce" group meets every Tuesday and Friday at ten o'clock at Gotlands IdrottsCenter in Fårösund.
”A wonderful form of training”
– After the wellness course within the project ”Get Gotland Moving,” we were a group of 65-plus individuals who tried the ”On Bounce” concept and thought it was a lot of fun! We formed a group within Fårösunds GOIK. And since then, we meet every Tuesday and Friday at ten o'clock and play together at Gotlands IdrottsCenter here in Fårösund, says Lars Elfström who has taken on the role of keeping the group together.
”On Bounce” is a simpler form of tennis adapted for the participants – you play doubles on a mini tennis court with a soft ball, and two bounces are allowed. Visby Tennis Club provides rackets, balls, and nets. To participate, you need to be a member of Fårösunds GOIK, and it costs only 350 kronor per year in addition to the membership fee.
– We are 18 people participating. We are between about 70 and just over 80 years old. It is a wonderful form of training, and the attitude is friendly and permissive. The only rule is that married couples cannot play together, says Lars with a smile.
”On Bounce” has become a popular form of training for 65+ in Fårösund. The participants play doubles on a mini tennis court with a soft ball, and two bounces are allowed.
Coffee and solving world problems
The atmosphere during the game is at its peak, and after the training session, there is coffee and socializing.
– It is an important part of the whole – during coffee, we have a good time, talk about all sorts of things, and solve world problems, says Lars.
After the tennis session and coffee, several of the participants also do a gym session in the facilities at Gotlands IdrottsCenter.
After training, there is a joint coffee break – an important part of the whole that everyone values highly.
Try-out sessions and club championships
The ”On Bounce” group has at various times held free "try-out sessions" to attract more participants.
– Recently, the RF-SISU initiative ”Senior-April” was organized. We participated with try-out activities and it led to us gaining two new members, says Lars.
There has also been an exchange with the ”På Studs group” that exists within Visby TK.
– We have visited each other and played together – really fun, thinks Lars, who admits that the competitive instinct is awakened a bit when playing with and against other clubs.
And in May, there will be a first club championship within På Studs in Fårösund.
– It will be exciting – everyone thinks it feels fun to have matches a bit ”for real,” even though the cohesion and the ”We spirit” are of course the most important.
Opportunity for additional activities
Moving forward, there may be additional activities beyond the obvious Tuesday and Friday sessions.
– There are opportunities to apply for funding for various activities for 65+ from RF-SISU. Perhaps there could be trips and visits to other clubs. But there could also be other types of activities such as dance, lectures on healthy food, or guidance on how to train with different equipment in the gym, says Lars.
It is clear that the ”På Studs group” in Fårösund is doing well and having fun together – both on the tennis court and during coffee breaks – and would like to come up with even more together.
The spirit in the ”På Studs” group in Fårösund is warm, friendly, and permissive.