This year, the Finnish Olympic Committee presented the “Sports Club of the Future” award for the fifth time, with support from its financial management partner, Rantalainen. The grand prize of 2,500 euros went to Kotkan Taitoluistelu.

The selection criteria for the “Sports Club of the Future” competition emphasized the club’s commitment to development, sense of responsibility, sense of community, and ability to renew its activities over the long term. Kotkan Taitoluistelu particularly impressed with its determined development efforts, its modern approach, and its strong collaboration with the city and other clubs.

Rantalainen, a partner in financial management, congratulates the association on the award.

– Kotkan Taitoluistelu is an excellent example of a club that is developing its operations in a planned and bold manner. The club has done an impressive job of modernizing its administration, strengthening its sense of community, and building cooperation at the local level. Such long-term development creates a strong foundation for the club’s future operations, says Emma Joki, Operations Manager at Rantalainen.

Liisa Ahlqvist-Lehkosuo, Director of Sports at the Olympic Committee, also highlights the club’s development-oriented organizational culture.

– Kotkan Taitoluistelu is an excellent example of how a club can reinvent itself and develop its activities by listening to its members. The club has made significant efforts to promote sustainability, digitalization, and community. The collaboration between the clubs and the city has been particularly impressive, making it possible to train year-round in Kotka, emphasizes Liisa Ahlqvist-Lehkosuo.

The desire to grow is evident in everyday actions

For Kotkan Taitoluistelu, the past season has been a time of significant renewal. The club joined the Olympic Committee’s Tähtiseura program with the goal of earning the Tähtimerkki award for children and youth, which the club was awarded in the spring of 2026. The award is a testament to high-quality, responsible, and modern club operations.

As part of the Tähtiseura program, the association conducted a values-based process for its members, in which joy, encouragement, and community were selected as the association’s core values. Based on these values, the association will continue to develop its activities in the coming years.

Day-to-day operations have also been streamlined with the help of digital solutions. During the season, the club switched to using the Suomisport service and the integrated accounting software Procountor. The new systems have streamlined membership management, invoicing, and the club’s financial management, freeing up time for the club’s actual activities.

In addition, the club has actively expanded its operations using other digital solutions. The club’s own IT experts have developed a web-based training schedule that will be implemented next season.

Partnership enables year-round training in Kotka

Kotkan Taitoluistelu received an honorable mention for its impressive collaboration with the municipality. In Kotka, the summer closure of ice rinks has long been a challenge for ice sports, making it difficult to train year-round.

Last season, Kotkan Taitoluistelu and Hamina-Kotka Kiekkojuniorit submitted a proposal to the city council to secure summer ice time. The clubs’ joint business plan was approved by the city council, which means that skaters in Kotka now have the opportunity for the first time to train and organize summer camps in their own ice rink even during the summer.

The decision is seen as an important step in the development of sports activities throughout the region.

The club fosters a sense of community even off the ice

Kotkan Taitoluistelu is actively working to raise awareness of the sport and make it more accessible. The club promotes figure skating on social media, visits daycare centers, and participates in various events and community-oriented projects.

Next summer, the club will participate in the parade that kicks off the Kotka Maritime Festival. In addition, there are plans to launch a new adaptive skating group next season, with the goal of offering more children and young people the opportunity to participate in the sport.

A strong sense of community is also evident in the club’s day-to-day activities. Competitions, performances, volunteer work, and group events bring together skaters, families, coaches, and volunteers.

The grant supports the training of coaches and instructors

At Kotkan Taitoluistelu, it is believed that the scholarship primarily helps to develop the club’s training and coaching programs.

– The scholarship provides an opportunity to train the club’s coaches and instructors. We want to create continuity where our own skaters can train to become instructors and coaches. It is very important to us to continuously develop the skills of our coaches and instructors, emphasizes Pia Ahokas, secretary of the Kotka Figure Skating Club.

The award was received with joy and gratitude by the association.

“It feels fantastic to receive recognition for our long-term development efforts. This encourages us to continue developing the association’s activities with even greater determination,” Ahokas adds.