Studietur: Fremtidens idrætslandskaber i Litauen
Join fantastic colleagues on an inspiring study tour to sports landscapes of the future in Lithuania.
Studytrip. Sports landscapes of the future in Lithuania
Inspirational study trip for sports leaders, facility managers and public sports administrators to Lithuania, 22nd – 24th May 2024.
Organiser:
Idrættens Udviklingscenter
Sports Hub Denmark (IdrætsPlatformen Danmark)
Further information. Host and guide:
Henrik H. Brandt, manager, IdrætsPlatformen Danmark
henrik.brandt@idraetsplatformen.dk, Tel. +45 29210972
Target group:
The study tour attracts an enthusiastic group of professional leaders and managers from sports facilities, sports organisations, and local sports and leisure departments. You will be in very good company with an informal and highly professional group of colleagues. Most participants will be Danish, but the working language of the tour is English. We highly recommend participants from other Scandinavian or Northern European countries to join us on the tour in order to stimulate better discussions and add more perspectives.
Background:
Lithuania is in the process of overhauling its structure in sports administration on the national as well as local level. Many local authorities are currently investing heavily in state-of-the art modern sports facilities and urban sports parks in order to promote talent development and elite sport as well as physical activity and leisure opportunities for the general population.
A large part of the sports activities for children and youth in Lithuania are delivered by municipal or private sports schools. This concept means that Lithuania has a very well-educated work force of graduated sports teachers and coaches. At the same time, organised sport in voluntary association as it is common in Denmark and other Northern European countries plays a lesser role in Lithuania. Community sport and volunteering is still emerging compared to Scandinavian practice.
On the tour you get to know some of the leading and best-connected sports managers and researchers from various sports organisations, local authorities, and sports authorities in Lithuania. The program of the tour is based on several visits and exchanges with key stakeholders and strong personalities from the Lithuanian sports sector.
While Lithuanian sports stakeholders are very interested in the Scandinavian sports model with its strong legal framework and well-organised local sports associations, Lithuania can provide new inspiration through its governmental effort to reform its sports organisations and through the current investment in very attractive new urban spaces and modern sports facilities in many municipalities.
The tour will also give an insight into the popularity and organisation of the national sport of basketball and into the very important role of local sports schools providing a wide range of sports programs for children and youth.
The target group of the study trip is leaders of sports facilities, sports organisations, suppliers, and leisure departments of local authorities etc.
Practical information and price:
The tour begins and ends at Vilnius Airport. If you wish to prolong your stay in Vilnius we will arrange a meeting point down town. Participants are responsible for their own travel insurance and their own flight arrangements. The program fits with SAS flights Copenhagen-Vilnius. The price covers program, 2 nights in single rooms in four star business hotels incl. breakfast, site visits, guide from IdrætsPlatformen, local hosts, local transportation in Lithuania (bus), meals incl. one drink.
You must arrange your own flights or transportation to Lithuania (not included). Vilnius as well as Kaunas are very interesting cities that is well worth a visit if you have the opportunity to add some extra time in Lithuania as a tourist or visitor on your own initiative before or after the formal program of the study trip.
Program
Minor adjustments to the program must be expected.
(latest update, 20th May 2024)
Corresponding flights:
The time schedule corresponds with the SAS flight from Copenhagen-Vilnius (08.05-10.35). Connecting flights to Copenhagen from Billund 06.20, Aarhus 06.30, Aalborg 06.20. Participants book and organise their own flights to Lithuania.
Wednesday 22nd May 2024
The tour begins at Vilnius Airport.
11.00-11.30: Bus transfer to the Lithuanian National Sports Agency
A. Goštauto g. 12, Vilnius (https://www.ltusportas.lt/)
11.30-13.00: Introduction to the Lithuanian National Sports Agency
The National Sports Agency was established two years ago in 2022 in order to improve governance and distribute funding to sport based on four main pillars of sports development in Lithuania: elite sport, physical activity, sport infrastructure and good governance.
The agency distributes the national funding to 66 national governing bodies, as well as funding to several hundred programs to promote physical activity and support the development of sports infrastructure. More than 30 staff members work in the agency only two years after the establishment of the agency.
What were the reasons and the vision behind the establishment of a new and quite resourceful national sports agency in Lithuania?
What is the role and ambitions of the new agency in relation the national policies the 60 municipalities in Lithuania, and the 66 national governing bodies in sport?
We will also learn about the future ideas of the agency to reform sport and physical activity and foster more innovation and new programs in the sports sector by creating a system based on individual subsidies which would enable children or youth to pick the program they prefer to participate in sport.
Hosts:
Mindaugas Spokas, CEO, Lithuanian National Sports Agency
Vilma Cingiene, Head of the Competence Center of the Lithuanian National Sports Agency
Representative, Ministry for Education, Science, and Sport (national policy, short)
13.00-13.15: Transport to the Urban Sports Park and Vilnius Municipality
by bus or foot (1,3 km)
13.15-13.45: Visit to the Urban Sports Park
Upės g. 6, Vilnius
By foot: The Urban Sports Park is a brand new urban sports park with a wide range of facilities for self regulation or group bookings. The Sports Park is centrally located by the Neris river and connected to a food hall and a large shopping mall.
A lunch package is waiting for you at the Foodhall Baltasis Tiltas.
13.55-15:15: An introduction to sport in Vilnius
Vilnius Municipality, Konstitucijos pr. 3, Vilnius
During our visit to the sports department of the Municipality of Vilnius we will have an introduction to the sports strategy and sports facilities of the Lithuanian Capital.
Host:
Edvinas Eimontas, head of sport and leisure of the municipality of Vilnius, chairman of the Association for Sports Management in Lithuania.
15.15-15.30: Bus transfer to NBA Basketball School
15.30-16.30: NBA Basketball School
Žemynos g. 14, Vilnius
The NBA basketball school opened in 2022 as a co-operation between the NBA, The Lithuanian Basketball Federation and Vilnius Municipality. The modern basketball facility is operated by Vilnius Basketball School and provides basketball training and activities for a wide range of age groups. The school is located in a specialised and very modern facility that communicates basketball around the clock.
The centre is located near a public school with a brand-new area for school sport as well as use by local inhabitants. In Lithuania many school sport facilities are still in need of modernisation more than three decades after the independence of the country from the USSR.
NBA Basketball School, Vilnius
16.30-16.45: Bus transfer to Lazdynai Swimming Pool
16.45-17.45: Lazdynai Swimming pool
Erfurto str. 13, Vilnius
During the visit to the top level Lazdynai Swimming Pool with diving pool, Olympic swimming pool, fitness area, functional training area etc. we will get a further introduction to the sports school system of Lithuania and the various programs for second graders (2nd class pupils), swimming schools, programs for elderly, camps. as well as the international competitions in the facility.
17.45-19.00: Bus transfer to Best Western Santakos Hotel, Kaunas
J. Gruodzio g. 21, Kaunas.
Four star hotel with a delicious breakfast buffet within walking distance from the cosy Old Town of Kaunas and the Nemunas Island with urban sports facilities and the Zalgiris Arena.
20.00-22.30: Dinner
City Garden, UAB Restaurant, Laisvės al. 93, Kaunas, 44297 Kauno m. sav., Lithuania. Walking distance from the hotel.
Thursday 23rd May 2024
.07.00-07.45: Morning jog (optional)
Running distance 5-6 km. Morning jog through Kaunas Old Town to the Nemunas and Neris Confluence Park with a wide range of public sports facilities.
07.00-08.45: Breakfast
08.45-09.30: Bus transfer to Jonava
09.30-11.00: Jonava City Sports Arena and Sports Park
Žeimių g. 17, 55141 Jonava, Lithuania
In recent years the municipality of Jonava has built a brand-new sports park with a new indoor arena from 2017 in characteristic ‘spaceship design’, modern stadiums and training grounds, a state-of the art swimming and wellness facility from 2023, as well as an urban park with cable park, BMX-tracks and much more.
We will get a tour of this very attractive and modern area and discuss the organisation and vision of the sports park. Jonava is a city of 30.000 inhabitants, 30 km outside Kaunas.
An interesting difference compared to e.g. Denmark is that community sports club only play a minor role in the activities and usage of the sports complex.
This is not a spaceship. This is Jonava Arena located in a very attractive sports area with a wide range of modern state-of-the art sports facilities.
Part of the huge Jonava Urban Sports Park and Cable Park.
11.00-13.00: Lunch and discussion about the role of the municipalities in sport in Lithuania
Meeting facility, Jonava Arena
During our lunch we will meet the chairman of the Association of Sports Managers of Lithuanian Municipalities in the 60 municipalities, Gintaras Jasiunas, who is also the head of the sports department of Šiauliai Municipality. Gintaras will give us an introduction to the developments and challenges for sport in Lithuania on a local level.
Lunch
Hosts:
Gintaras Jasiunas, chairman of the Association of Sports Managers of Lithuanian Municipalities
Jūratė Stanislovaitienė, head of Jonava Sports Centre
12.50-13.30: Bus transfer to Kaunas
13.30-17.00: Kaunas city of sports and culture
13.30-15.00 – Kaunas as a sports city
Kaunas Municipality sports department and Lithuanian Sports University
Meeting to be held in Lithuanian Sports University (Room 232, Central Building), Sporto str. 6, Kaunas.
Kaunas is the second largest city of Lithuania with a little more than 300.000 inhabitants. Kaunas was European Capital of Culture in 2022, and in recent years the municipality of Kaunas has invested millions of EUR in modern sports infrastructure for elite sport as well as for accessible and attractive areas and parks for physical activity for the broader population.
Get an insight into the strategy and vision of sport in Kaunas which is probably one of the most heavily investing cities in the Nordics and Baltics in recent years in terms of new sports infrastructure. Among new projects are three swimming halls, an indoor football/rugby pitch, an athletics hall, and an indoor centre for extreme sports.
We will also learn more about the Lithuanian system of sports schools and the ‘Iniciatyvos Kaunas’ program where not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for funding for initiatives which can contribute to solve public challenges in the areas of sport, culture, and social cohesion.
Finally, we will meet the rector and the vice rector for studies from the Lithuanian Sports University, which has more than 2.000 students, four departments and 18-degree study programs is the heart of sports education and research in Lithuania. Most coaches, managers and administrators in Lithuanian sport will have a background from or close connections with LSU.
We will get a brief introduction to the university and we will ask the question what the university sees as the main challenges and need for education and development of the Lithianian sports sector in the coming years.
Hosts:
Vyginta Poderytė-Martinkienė, deputy head of the sports division of the municipality of Kaunas
Diana Reklaitiene, Rector, Lithanian Sports University
Jurate Pozeriene, Vice-rector for Studies, Lithuanian Sports University
15.00-15.45: Kaunas Sports Hall, refurbishment of an iconic old arena from 1939
Perkūno al. 5, Kaunas
Kaunas Sports Hall. A beautiful redevelopment of an old arena from 1939. Used for community spot as well as large events.
We will have a tour of the iconic Kaunas Sports Hall built in 1939 to host the Eurobasket and since then the centre of a wide range of sports and culture events. The old arena was overtaken as the largest arena in Kaunas by the multi sports hall Zalgiris Arena (15.400 capacity) in 2011 but following a thorough renovation and refurbishment the protected old arena has come to new life as a flexible multipurpose venue for daily sport as well as large events with a capacity of 5.000 spectators. The operation of the sports hall is outsourced.
15.45-16.15: A walk through the facilities of the Lithuanian Sports University
Sporto g. 6, Kaunas.
Lithuanian Sports University cultivates almost all sports that are included in the Olympic Games. Students can engage in basketball, football, handball, volleyball, rugby, athletics, swimming, aerobics, judo, boxing, Greek-Roman wrestling, cycling, sailing or orienteering activities. LSU students can also have active leisure, as there is free access to the swimming pool and fitness room, they can join the national dance ensemble “Rasa” or enjoy the elections for the most active student group at the University.
16.15-17.00: Darius and Girenas Stadium, the brand-new national stadium of Lithuania
S. Dariausgatvė 11 ir S. Girėno Stadionas, Kaunas
The Darius and Girenas Stadium hosting 15.000 spectators is the newest national stadium for football and athletics in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Darius and Girenas Stadium which was inaugurated in 2022. The stadium is suitable for events, international football, and athletics. The stadium is used for athletics training in its daily mode. It can host up to 51.000 guests for concerts. Operation of the stadium complex has recently been outsourced to a private operator with a profit share for the municipality.
Darius and Girenas Stadion. Can it work? Football, athletics, national stadium, large events, and daily community sport and top level training in the same arena?
17.00-17.30. Transport by bus to Best Western Santakos Hotel or Žalgiris Swimming Pool, Wellness and Spa
J. Gruodzio g. 21, Kaunas
17.30-19.30. Žalgiris Swimming Pool, Wellness and Spa
Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50, Kaunas + https://www.zalgirioarenosbaseinas.lt)
(Optional) Žalgiris Swimming Pool is one of several brand-new sports venues in Kaunas. It opened in September 2022 and boast a 50-meter Olympic pool with 10 lanes and seating for 500 spectators as well as 25-meter pool and smaller pools for swimming lessons and wellness. The facility has a large and very nice wellness area with 11 saunas and jacuzzi. We test the spa for some hours of relaxation.
19.30: Walk to the hotel/restaurant from Nemunas Island
Walking distance 1,4 km: Nemunas Island is a large recreational area close to the city centre including a wide range of recently opened urban sports facilities such as skate rinks, cycling track and basketball courts etc.
20.00-23.00: Dinner
Restaurant UAB "Berneliai", K. Donelaičio g. 11, Kaunas
Kaunas Old Town - urban atmosphere combined with brand-new sports facilities for the public.
Friday 24th May 2024
06.45-07.30: Morning run (optional)
A cosy run across the river (6 km) to the Neries Kranines Park with the best skate park in Kaunas, the abandoned Soviet monument in Sajungos Square and the small Žalgiris Kaunas football academy across the Neris river. We will have a chance to experience modern container art along the route.
08.30-08.45: Bus transfer or walk (1,3 km) to the Lithuanian House of Basketball
08:45-10:00. Lithuanian House of Basketball
Santakos g. 11, 44279 Kaunas, Lithuania
A visit to the House of Basketball (museum) and Lithuanian Basketball Federation based in a modern headquarter in old town Kaunas. What is the role of a sports federation in Lithuania and what is the history and culture of the national sport of basketball in Lithuania? We will get a tour of the House of basketball learn more about the role and work og the Basketball Federation im charge of the national sport of Lithuania.
Host:
Mindaugas Gobikas, head of marketing and communication, Lithuanian Basketball Federation.
House of Basketball in Kaunas - hosting the Lithuanian Basketball Federation
10:00-10:15. Bus transfer to Zalgiris Arena
10:30-11:45. Tour of Žalgiris Arena
Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50, Kaunas
Žalgiris Arena from 2011 is the largest multisport arena in the Baltic countries. The arena hosts a wide range of activities in sports and entertainment and is widely known for being the home arena of the legendary Zalgiris Kaunas basketball team, which often fills the arena to its capacity of 15.400 spectators for basketball games. Zalgiris is also the operator of the arena.
11:45: Bus transfer to Vilnius Airport
We will have our lunch in a restaurant/café en route to the airport.
On the bus trip we will have time to discuss our impressions from the study tour and discuss what to take home to our own local context.
The formal program of the study tour ends at the airport.
Vilnius-Copenhagen, SAS, 15.50-16.20
Connecting flights to Aalborg, 17.30, Aarhus, 17.00
Alternative flight to Billund via München later in the afternoon.