Rantalainen is a long-standing partner of the Finnish Olympic Committee, and one example of this partnership is the annual “Sports Club of the Future” grant. Through this grant, Rantalainen aims to encourage sports clubs to look to the future and adopt modern working methods.

The “Sports Club of the Future” grant has been awarded for several years. The winner is selected by a joint jury consisting of the Olympic Committee and Rantalainen. In making the selection, emphasis is placed on factors such as the club’s values, sense of responsibility, cooperation, long-term perspective, goal-oriented approach, and willingness to innovate and continuously improve its operations.

The Sports Club of the Future 2026

Applications for the “Sports Club of the Future 2026” award are open in April 2026!
You can nominate your own club by describing what you consider to be the most important characteristics of a sports club of the future, how these characteristics are reflected in the club’s activities, and how the club would use the €2,500 grant.

Nominate your club as a candidate!

Rantalainen is a trusted partner in financial management for sports clubs

Rantalainen offers sports clubs support in developing their financial and payroll management. We have a deep understanding of the operating environment of sports clubs and support their activities through efficient and reliable financial management. Electronic financial management and modern software solutions enable real-time financial monitoring and transparent information sharing within the club.

Discover Rantalainen’s services!

Previously award-winning Sports Clubs of the Future

Vantaan Salamat was named “Sports Club of the Future 2025.” The selection was influenced, among other things, by the club’s well-planned and values-based operations.

– I think the club should always be thinking a few steps ahead. That way, we can better prepare for the future. When it comes to the club’s growth and development, the coaches’ commitment plays a key role. It was quite a confusing feeling when we got the call telling us we’d actually won the competition. But this is a really cool thing for our entire club. It’s fantastic to see and hear that our work is being recognized, says Pekka Kurvinen, operations manager for Vantaan Salamat.

In 2024, the “Sports Club of the Future” grant was awarded to Salpis ry, the largest volleyball club in Päijät-Häme. In its statement, the jury highlighted Salpis ry’s long-term development efforts.

– This award is a significant source of support and recognition for the work we have done. One of our biggest challenges has been simplifying financial management. Now that we’ve modernized our finances, we can focus on tackling another challenge. The club has a chronic shortage of qualified coaches, but the “Tulevaisuuden urheiluseura” grant provides an opportunity to train and develop coaches, says Mika Laurila, chairman of Salpis ry.

In 2023, Lempäälän Kisa Yleisurheilu ry was named the winner. The jury found that the club’s activities were consistently of high quality and exemplary.

– This award is a wonderful recognition of many years of dedicated work. What we have achieved today has its roots 13 years ago, when we participated in the Finnish Sports Federation’s club development project. That’s when we started thinking about the club’s dreams without any limitations, comments Timo Reunanen, Executive Director of Lempäälän Kisa Yleisurheilu ry.