Sodankylä teens step up to keep basketball alive without a local club

Two 18-year-old students in Sodankylä have taken the initiative to improve their local basketball court after growing frustrated with the lack of organized play in the northern Finnish municipality.

Rasmus Ranta and Paavo Seppälä, both electrical engineering students, began using an unofficial asphalt court next to the town’s sports park. The court lacked markings, forcing players to estimate whether shots counted for two or three points. To solve the problem, the pair painted the lines themselves.

Sodankylä currently has no basketball club, as the nearest registered teams operate in Rovaniemi and Oulu, more than 100 kilometers away. Despite the absence of a local organization, the teens have continued to play regularly, often attracting additional players to join casual games of two-on-two or three-on-three.

“It would be cool to have real games,” Seppälä said. “I’m not saying I’m an amazing player, but I want to try new things.”

Both Ranta and Seppälä learned the sport largely on their own, using YouTube tutorials to pick up skills and drills. Ranta, who had previously favored skateboarding, switched to basketball after finding it more appealing.

The Finnish Basketball Association reports a record number of licensed players this year, reflecting growing national interest in the sport. Heini Santos, the association’s communications manager, noted that informal outdoor play remains an important way for people to enjoy basketball without relying on clubs or scheduled training sessions.

“The initiative in Sodankylä shows that there is real demand for these courts,” Santos said.

3×3 basketball, an Olympic format, is gaining popularity in Finland due to its lower player requirements and accessibility. Kati Packalén, chair of the Finnish Basketball Association, said the sport could be introduced in smaller communities like Sodankylä with minimal resources. The association supports grassroots efforts through its Pikkusudet program, which helps organize youth basketball schools.

Local officials have welcomed the teens’ efforts. Tommi Virtanen, Sodankylä’s welfare director, said the municipality regularly replaces backboards and hoops at the court and is open to improving facilities if demand increases.

The students are now looking into replacing the court’s worn-out rims and nets, with a local sporting goods store offering to provide new nets. They are also considering making the replacements themselves.