Sports institutes

Juoksuharjoitukset. Kuva: OKM/Katarina Koch Finland has nine national and three regional sports training centres, i.e. sports institutes (colleges of physical education). The Ministry of Education and Culture provides support to the operation of these institutes.

Sports institutes are liberal adult education institutions and national sports training centres. They provide vocational upper secondary and vocational further education and training as well as non-formal education for youths and adults.  

Some of the institutes are included in the sports academy network and serve as coaching centres for athletes. Their purpose is to support athletes in combining studies and training.

Sports institutes also provide training for sports club instructors, coaches and staff in cooperation with sport and physical activity organisations.

The institutes receive government financing based on their educational task. Funding is allocated in the form of central government transfers.

Sports training centres:

Links to other websites

Contact information

Samuli Rasila, Senior Specialist 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Nuoriso- ja liikuntapolitiikan osasto (NUOLI), Division for Sport Telephone:0295330057   Email Address: