NTNUI

Today is exactly one week to the Ordinary General Assembly for NTNUI 2024! Here are the case papers for the meeting:
CASE PAPERS ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 2024

Summarized:
Date: Saturday 16th of March 2024
Time: Admission from 10:00, start 11:00. Recommend setting aside the whole day.
Location: A1 at the NTNU Business School (Adolf Øien building). Map here.
Catering: Food will be served during the general assembly.
For whom: The general assembly is for all members of NTNUI. If you have paid NTNUI membership and have valid membership in the membership system, you have the right to vote at the general assembly. All groups in NTNUI are required to attend, which means that all groups must present at least one representative.

Text: Ronja Pavall
Photo: Asle Heide Vaskinn & Lukas Feldman

In NTNUI’s column “Volunteer of the Month,” you get to meet some of the dedicated volunteers in NTNUI who contribute invaluable efforts. In February, you will meet the project manager in NTNUI Koiene, Ingunn Egeberg Vári.

Ingunn is Koienes’ great optimist. In no way is Ingunn lazy, neither in administrative matters nor physically. Ingunn is not afraid to take charge and sort things out. She also has great enthusiasm and curiosity for Koienes’ history, and is currently responsible for the jubilee book for Koiene’s 75th anniversary. Ingunn also chose to continue being part of the cabin committee last autumn, even though she knew she would be going on exchange to France this semester. Even though she has been in France, she participated digitally in most meetings.

– Runhild Aakre, board member Koiene

How did you end up in NTNUI?
I’ve been involved in orienteering since I was little, and as a student, you know that if you want to run, NTNUI has the largest community. When I first came to Trondheim, I found so many other things I wanted to do that orienteering wasn’t my top priority anymore, but after a little over a year, I wanted to come back and joined then!

How did you find your way to Koiene?
I lived in the O-kitchens at Moholt, and I had been on some cabin trips that were fun. Additionally, I lived with some people in the cabin committee. I became curious about how things worked behind the scenes and eventually joined the committee.

Have you been studying since 2017?
Actually, I started studying in 2015, initially focusing on physics and mathematics. I switched my studies around a bit, and now I’m in my fifth year of medical school. It’s been quite a journey!

Wow, impressive! What position do you hold now?
I’m the Project Manager. I started as the Information Officer, but I wanted to work more on the history I discovered about the Cabins, so I began with the jubilee narrative. It became so much work that I couldn’t juggle both roles as Information Officer and Project Manager. It was perfectly fine to make the change since roles in the cabin committee shift a bit according to needs.

How is it to combine responsibilities with studies, both in medical school and with the cabin committee?
I actually find it manageable. Fortunately, a lot of the cabin committee work falls outside of the semester, which makes it easier to participate!
That’s good to hear, it makes sense!
It really comes down to priorities. If I’m not enthusiastic about something, I won’t perform well regardless. So, I think it’s better to invest time in responsibilities and focus on studies when I’m feeling motivated. There are periods when I’m really enthusiastic and just think about the project for weeks, but then I need to switch to something else, which could be studying.

Which cabin is your favorite then?
Hmm, I think that’s a bit of a personal question. Is it appropriate to ask someone on the cabin committee that?
Maybe not, but I had to try. Are there any cabins you’ve been to more than others?
I’ve visited them all, and there’s one I haven’t stayed overnight at, just a day trip to set up mouse traps. They really just have to be experienced firsthand.

What do you think about the label “Volunteer of the Month” or “Ildsjel” that has now been attached to you?
Well, you know, in the context of cabins, we’ve had a couple of fire incidents, so I don’t want it to catch any more fire than it already has. Just kidding, but there are incredibly passionate individuals in various ways, so I feel that in cabin meetings, everyone is enthusiastic together, which fuels an even bigger fire! It also gives us the opportunity to showcase what we do in the cabins and try to spread the good message.

Do you have any recommendations for people who want to go on a cabin trip but are unsure which one to choose?
The cabins are divided into different difficulty levels; some are easily accessible, while others may require more experience in hiking and camping. It’s also nice to visit a cabin that is suitable for the number of people you are traveling with. One that might be a good start, easy to find with good bus connections, but still gives you the feeling of being in the woods, is Rindalsløa. It could be a great start to an adventure!

You mentioned that you’re working on a 75th anniversary book, could you tell us a bit about it?
It all started when I was new to the committee and went on a cabin trip, where I found some older booklets with stories and pictures. Reading through them, I was fascinated by the events that had taken place over the years, the different cabins that had existed, and the new ones that had been built. The more I read, the more I felt it would be a shame not to share this with people who are interested.
Yes, there must have been a lot that has happened and changed over the years.
I can choose how big the book should be and what limitations there might be; there are so many stories that you can’t tell them all anyway. All those books that are at the cabins, where people write every time they go on a trip, shouldn’t be replaced, so you almost have to go on a cabin trip and read the book there. Read it where it belongs.

It must be so fun to read about what people have experienced at the different cabins!
What’s cool is that even when you read about events from many years ago, a lot of the same things come up; people getting lost, having parties, or bringing lady-visitors to the cabin!

What is your own best memory from your time in the cabins?
A couple of things stand out. The days when there was a big volunteer effort at Holvassgamma this summer. In both June, there were ten days of volunteering, with 18 people stopping by. The atmosphere was incredible. I was there continuously for ten days, and it felt like I lived there. Another memory was when the most inaccessible cabin needed firewood; there were 15 of us filling sacks with firewood and hiking up to the cabin. Then we went back down to get food and overnight gear before hiking back up. It was over 25km, and it was pouring rain, but everyone remained positive!
That’s quite an achievement!
But it’s not just about volunteering. Two years ago, during Easter, my partner and I hiked between many different cabins. It’s important that even though you’re in the cabin committee, you still get to go on other trips than just volunteering, so I have many great hiking memories too!

What is your relationship with NTNUI’s colors?
Over the years, I’ve become convinced that those are the right colors, and my mother was also in NTNUI. When I was little and we went on trips, she wore her old NTHI jacket. So I’m so used to the colors and that’s what NTNUI is, so it’s hard to imagine anything else.
What did your mother participate in at NTNUI?
Orienteering! But she also has pictures in photo albums showing that she went on cabin trips.
Wow, that’s cool! Following in her footsteps then.
Yes, I suppose I am!

The volunteer of the month is a regular column created by the promo team in collaboration with the photographers in NTNUI Blits. Would you like to nominate someone for the firebrand of the month? Send to blits-promo@ntnui.no

Text: Norun Kjerstad
Photos: Mare Nyvoll & Norges Dykkerforbund

From the 16th to the 18th of February 2024, NTNUI-DG UVR (Underwater Rugby) organized the B-Series Cup in Stjørdal. We had a referee course on Friday, where everything went as planned except that part of it had to be conducted partially over Teams because the course leader was home sick.

The cup day started, in tradition, with the leader of DG jumping into the pool from the highest diving tower wearing a full tuxedo and chains. Several volunteers from DG helped with setup, the kiosk, and cleanup. They were a great help. We also had underwater rugby players with swimming bans in the secretariat to maintain order.

There were players from Kristiansund, Sandefjord, Ørlandet, Trondheim, and Tromsø participating, with several never having played in a cup before. This caused a shortage of some swimwear and equipment at the beginning, but the puzzle was eventually solved. As the number of players from each place varied, mixed teams were formed, except for Tromsø, which competed alone as SURK. Kristiansund and Ørlandet were grouped together as K-Ø, and Trondheim joined Sandefjord to form DG-Fjord-ÆN and DG-Fjord-2. There was great effort from all teams, and K-Ø took a commanding victory, while DG-Fjord-ÆN ended up in last place and won the wandering trophy. The trophy was engraved and sent home with the Sandefjord team, as an encouragement for revenge next year.

The newly trained referees were supposed to officiate entire matches with the help of two experienced referees. This went mostly smoothly, and when individual players were about to complain to the referee and realized the referee was one of their teammates, they kept quiet. Some of the novice referees still didn’t know how to use the signal system and whistle properly, so some confusion and unnecessary pauses occurred.

The award ceremony took place at Dypet (DG’s basement at Moholt) with pizza and leftover cakes from the kiosk. We had managed to make three times as much food for the kiosk as necessary, so it was good that it was all eaten. After a fantastic and slightly exhausting day, it ended perfectly with almost everyone continuing to the party.

Overall, the weekend was a great success, and we hope to repeat it next year. Join and try it!

Notice to the Ordinary General Meeting in spring 2024

Today is exactly one month until the spring general assembly and the time has come to welcome you. The General Assembly is NTNUI’s highest authority and all members have the right to vote. This is where you can influence the direction you think is best for the world’s best club – NTNUI.

The executive board hereby convenes an ordinary general aasembly in the spring of 2024.

Time: Admission from 10:00, start 11:00. Recommend setting aside the whole day.
Location: A1 at the NTNU Business School (Adolf Øien building). Map here.
Catering: Food will be served during the general meeting.
For whom: The general meeting is for all members of NTNUI. If you have paid NTNUI membership and have valid membership in the membership system, you have the right to vote at the general meeting. All groups in NTNUI have the right to meet, which means that all groups must present at least one representative.

Something you want to say? Do you have matters you would like to bring up to the general assembly? Send it to hovedstyret@ntnui.no by March 2.

Staup: After the general meeting, it is a tradition to go up to the Studenterhytta – also called Staup. Free transport will be organised, but it is also possible to take part in the traditional race up to the Hut. Free food is also served there. Signing up for Staup is here. The deadline for registration is 10 March.

Case papers: The case papers are sent by email to all shop stewards and posted on our website ntnui.no before 9 March.

Welcome, great member!

Text: Emilie Sofie Eilertsen
Photo: NTNUI Blits and Private

In NTNUI’s column “Volunteer of the Month,” you get to meet some of the dedicated volunteers in NTNUI who contribute invaluable efforts. In January, you will meet the River Chief in NTNUI Paddling, Bendik Stenberg.

He is the Rover Chief in the paddling commitee a position he has held for almost 1.5 years. Prior to that, he served 1.5 years as the Sea Chief

He is responsible for organizing 3 basic courses per semester, in addition to 1-2 advanced courses. Thus, he often has the responsibility of coordinating activities over many weekends in a row. In addition to this, he serves as the main instructor during Tuesday training sessions. This year, I believe there have been no more than 1-2 training sessions he hasnt`t participated in (and often as main instructor). As the river chief he is also responsible for coordinating activities during each training session. He was also one of the two main organizers on the river during the annual “Sjoatur”, with around 20 paddlers on the river.

– Thea Kristine Terjesen, Leader NTNUI Paddling

Who are you?
I thrive with a full calendar and get bored quickly if there’s too much downtime. I like when there’s a lot happening so I can be productive efficiently!

How did you end up in NTNUI?
It took the pandemic to free up space in my calendar for paddling, as it is a great outdoor activity that allows for social distancing. I had some experience in sea kayaking, and I was asked to be an instructor in NTNUI, teaching courses. Then, there happened to be an open position in the committee, and the then-leader invited me on a trip to Munkholmen, presenting a sort of sales pitch. So, I went from not being a part of NTNUI at all to suddenly being accepted into the paddling committee.

But you started as the Sea Chief and are now the River Chief, what do these roles entail exactly?
One is responsible for activities either on the sea or riverfront. This includes organizing courses, maintaining equipment, and ensuring that training sessions are carried out effectively. It also involves some delegation. In essence, you’re responsible for making things happen in the area you oversee. For example, in the fall, we held five basic courses because there was a lot of interest.

What would you say is the best thing about your position?
I would say the best thing about the position is that when you’re part of a committee, you’re usually with those who are the most enthusiastic and committed to keeping activities going. It’s incredibly fun to be a part of it, and you feel a greater sense of ownership of the club. I also find it can be dull to just be a participant on a trip, but if you organize and have a hand in it, it’s more enjoyable. The people in the committee are a very pleasant group, so it’s really nice to have a role in the committee.

So the organizational aspects and the governance involved in such a position are quite enjoyable?
Yes, it’s really fun. At times it has been quite busy because when you have a role in planning and choosing dates, you often end up checking your own calendar and selecting weekends with no prior commitments. Last fall, I didn’t have a single free weekend until November, and this was decided before the semester even started!

But you do find this to be just fun?
Oh yes, of course you can feel a bit overwhelmed at times. Serving on a committee can be time-consuming because you spend a considerable amount of time planning, but you want to be a part of all the fun things you plan too!

How did it go in combination with your studies then?
It actually went quite well. When you’re procrastinating on studying, spending time on productive NTNUI Paddling tasks is quite convenient.

What do you think about the label “volunteer of the month or Ildsjel” that you have now received?
Well, I was very surprised, and it came out of the blue. It’s an honor, and I really appreciate receiving such recognition for the work I put in. I also want to emphasize that there are incredibly many people working together and deserving of praise. We are a committee that invests a lot of time and collaborates on tasks.

What makes you happy?
Oh! Hmm… I’ve had many great moments out in the kayak. Personally, I often use the word “blissful” instead of happy because experiencing a blissful calm and peace, as I often do in the kayak, is very nice. It turns out that in my blissful or happy mode, I tend to become quiet and peaceful. Once on a trip, I was misunderstood for being grumpy and cold, and it seemed like I was having a bad day. It should be mentioned that it was quite cold on that trip, so it might have seemed like I was therefore freezing and having a bad day, but in reality, I was just finding true calm and happiness in the moment. The extreme nature one gets to see from the kayak and seeing nature from such a perspective gives a great sense of joy and an absence of worry and stress.

Have you ended up in the river or the sea during a kayaking trip?
Oh yes. It happens that you end up in the water and have to take a little swim, but it’s part of the game. The worst part is actually the cold temperatures when putting on the spray skirt. The cold temperatures makes the spray skirt quite difficult to work with and I sprained my thumb this fall in an attempt to put it on.

Would you say being part of the committee and organizing trips and courses is the reason you get involved?
It’s a significant part of it. You feel that you are useful and can use your skills in a good way. It’s also a lot of fun with the courses. Basic courses and introducing newcomers to the sport are also big motivations for putting effort into the role.

Do you have any advice for others considering committee positions?
I would encourage it! The hope is that the things we do in the paddling committee, for example, make it easy for others to take over the baton. My goal is that when I leave the committee, it should be well-functioning and enjoyable to take on that role. It’s also important that when you take on a committee role, you need to dedicate some time to it, but my experience from the paddling committee is that it has given me much more than it has taken. It has given me a great and large community that I will continue to stay in touch with both in and out of the water. It’s definitely worth taking the risk if you’re considering a committee role. You just need to be good at knowing your own limitations and use the others in the committee to make the workflow smooth.

We usually end with a lighthearted question or dilemma. Rowing’s tights or the devil’s hat?
It has to be Rowing’s tights, it’s cool!

The volunteer of the month is a regular column created by the promo team in collaboration with the photographers in NTNUI Blits. Would you like to nominate someone for the firebrand of the month? Send to blits-promo@ntnui.no

Text: Pernille Svartveit Osmundsen
Photo: Viggo Jakobsen/Globetrotter event og artist & Nils Dittritch/NTNUI

NTNUI Orientering was honored as the student sports team of the year when Trøndelag’s sports circle was assembled in early in November 2023.

For the 14th time, Idretten’s Heiderskveld was organized in November. Here, the best in the Trøndelag sports circle gathered and were honored for their achievements both nationally and internationally. Scholarships, achievement awards and spirit awards were handed out to honor the many people who help create sports engagement and joy in Trøndelag. This time, NTNUI Orienteering was honored with the Student Sports Team of the Year award for the stable and good results in the club. The student club also asserted itself during the prestigious Tiomila last spring, which helped them get the award. NTNUI Orienteering has not won during Tiomila since 1992 when they won the women’s class, and last year they managed to win for the first time in the open class which ran through the night.

The gala outfits were on and NTNUI’s leader Jenny Hunvik was on stage to present the award for Student Sports Team of the Year in front of a fully packed cinema hall at Nova Kinosenter. Hunvik says that NTNUI Orienteering has accomplished an incredible feat in 2023 and that it is difficult for those outside the orienteering community to understand how big it actually is to win Tiomila. She further says that being able to award the Student Sports Award in 2023 to Orienteering feels right, as they really deserved that honor and that she felt lucky to have the honor of handing out the award itself during Idretten’s Heiderskveld in November.

Stepping onto the stage to receive the award on behalf of NTNUI Orienteering were Eirik Langedal Breivik and Anders Vestøl, both of whom contributed to NTNUI Orienteering’s victory in the prestigious Tiomila. Vestøl expressed his excitement about receiving the award, emphasizing its significance given that orienteering is not among the largest sports in Norway. “It was a bit more formal than I had expected” he replied when asked about his experience of the evening, and added that it means a lot to be recognized this way. Also Lars Sandstad, leader of NTNUI Orienteering, emphasizes that it is not always easy to be seen when you perform in a sport such as orienteering. Therefore, such recognition for the entire club’s achievements throughout the year is extra nice.

The victory in Tiomila meant a lot to the student club. Vestøl, which has himself participated twice in the championship, says that winning was prestigious and absolutely huge, especially when they have to manage “all by themselves”. The event is a highlight within orientation, where many clubs participating have a lot more money to spare, including funds for coaches, among other things. Nevertheless, the student team, which is driven by volunteerism and has a high turnover of members, managed to win the international competition.

Text: Ronja Pavall
Photo: Ronja Pavall/NTNUI Blits

The Main Board of NTNUI wishes all our members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! There are several “debates” during Christmas, and disagreements about what is the icing on the cake for the perfect Christmas mood. We have therefore asked our dear Main Board some questions to hear what they think, and to get to know them a little better!
Regardless of what you prefer to eat, drink, and watch during Christmas, we hope you have a great time and look forward to the next year with us.

Jenny Hunvik (Leader):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Lamb ribs
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Brown
Favorite Christmas movie?
– It stands between Love Actually and The Holiday. Mostly The Holiday, because Love Actually is saved for the day before Christmas Eve.
What do you want for Christmas?
– A new sports facility for NTNUI
Who on the Main Board still believes in Santa Claus?
– Sara

Mia Olden Larsen (Deputy leader):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Neither, I´m pesceterian. Before that, I used to eat pork, but now I eat “vegisterkaker” and fake meatloaf.
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Brown
Favorite Christmas movie?
– Miracle on 34th street
What do you want for Christmas?
– More game, just kidding hahah. A knitted wool-sweater, in green NTNUI color.
Who on the Main Board buys Christmas presents the day before Christmas Eve?
– Shall I just start to list them up? Me and Taran, I think Andreas also does it, and Ole Marius.

Christian Køhl (Main treasurer):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Pork
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Brown of course
Favorite Christmas movie?
– Hmm, that’s a tough question. There are so many to choose from. It’s difficult; I’ll have to go with one of the classics, either ‘Tre nøtter til Askepott’ or ‘Reisen til Julestjernen’, those are feel-good movies.
What do you want for Christmas?
– I don’t want anything specific. Something simple, like a shirt and those kinds of things.
Who on the Main Board brings the most Christmas spirit?
– It´s split in three, Mia, Jenny, and Sara. They all have such Christmas spirit and are hyped for the holidays. They make an unbeatable trio at it.

Sara Malnes Grobstok (Head of economics):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Lamb ribs
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Brown
Favorite Christmas movie?
– Love actually
What do you want for Christmas?
– New cosy-slippers
If you had a Secret Santa within the Main Board, with an unlimited budget, who would you want to receive a gift from? Why?
– Hmm, that’s a tough one. Frøydis. I think she could come up with something I didn’t know I needed. It would be fun and surprising; I really trust her instincts.

Marius Nielsen (Head of the track committee, “Mosjon”manager og SL-contact):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Pork, no doubt.
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Brown… AND red. If you had to choose? Then I´ll stick to brown.
Favorite Christmas movie?
– Home alone, the first ones.
What do you want for Christmas?
– Work out gloves, both I own have holes in the palm. And shoes for hiking. Its a practical Christmas this year.
Who on the Main Board still gets an Advent calendar from their parents?
– Mia. I have no idea, I just can picture her getting one.

Ole Marius Inderhaug (IT-manager):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Lamb ribs, preferably both.
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Red, Rudolf og Nissens. There is no other Christmas soda.
Favorite Christmas movie?
– It has to be Home Alone.
What do you want for Christmas?
– Mom usually says nice kids, so maybe I´ll say nice NTNUI members. And hiking gear.
Who on the Main Board gets coal in their stocking?
– Hmm, hahaha, if theres going to be anyone who gets coal in their stocking it´s probably me.

Taran Five (equipment manager and aktivCampus-contact):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Lamb ribs
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Neither. I don´t like Christmas Soda. What do you drink instead? Apple juice.
Favorite Christmas movie?
– It has to be Home Alone
What do you want for Christmas?
– Socks! Wool socks! Kari Traa, preferably pink or gray.
Who on the Main Board wouldn’t have made it inside before “Blåfjellet” closed?
– Andreas. Without doubt.

Ingrid Opsahl Klokkervold (Aministrative coordinator, Sports director and manager of halls-and indoor training times):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Pork.
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– I have to choose one? Yes. Red.
Favorite Christmas movie?
– “Tre nøtter til Askepott”, or Love Actually. No, it has to be “Tre nøtter til Askepott”.
What do you want for Christmas?
– An extra screen for my computer, so I can take my job with me.
Who on the Main Board has been blasting Christmas music since October?
– I think Mia and Jenny has put up their Christmas tree, so I´ll have to say one of them. Who has been secretly listening? Me hahaha

Andreas Bothner (Event-manager, deputy leader of the track committee):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Pork.
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Brown.
Favorite Christmas movie?
– A Christmas Carol
What do you want for Christmas?
– Socks, and hat. Shoes also, and clothes. New battery for my car.
Who on the Main Board is the biggest Grinch?
– It has to be Taran.

Frøydis Indergård (promotion- og external affairs manager):
Pork or lamb ribs on Christmas Eve?
– Lamb ribs
Red or brown Christmas soda?
– Red!
Favorite Christmas movie?
– I´m probably a “Home alone”-person, all of them except the last two!
What do you want for Christmas?
– Wishing all my sisters and nieces to come for a visit because I won’t be celebrating Christmas with them this year.
Who on the Main Board religiously follows Advent calendars on TV?
– I think that has to be Sara.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Text: Nora Amanda Hveding
Foto: NTNUI Fustal, Iris Natten Frydenlund, Leonie Richarz, Thomas Karlsen

In NTNUI’s column “Volunteer of the Month,” you get to meet a selection of dedicated volunteers at NTNUI who contribute invaluable efforts. In November, you will meet the Futsal coach, Thomas Aarnes.

I meet Thomas one Saturday afternoon after the Futsal team has played a match. He is very passionate and friendly, despite the fact that the game didn’t go quite as planned.

How nice that you want to meet us! Would you like to tel us a bit about yourself?

I’m Thomas Aarnes, 26 years old, originally from Nordmøre. I came to Trondheim in 2019 and have been a part of NTNUI for a full 4 years now. I already hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and am currently in my second year of studying for a teaching degree in geography. You could say I’ve made a long-term investment in the club.

Yes, truly a long-term investment. But how did you end up here?

It was actually a bit random, which is strange to think about because I enjoy Trondheim so much now. I lived in Kristiansand for a while, but moved up here following my girlfriend, who is now my fiancée. I got involved in futsal pretty much right away when I arrived. I’ve been playing futsal since high school, so I was interested in continuing with it. At that time, futsal wasn’t as popular, so I also joined the football team.

Thomas has put in tremendous effort as the coach for the men’s futsal team. He has also taken coaching mentorship courses and is involved in training future futsal coaches. Thomas is a skilled leader with extensive futsal knowledge and excellent pedagogical skills. This has contributed to making NTNUI one of the best futsal teams in the country!

Leader of NTNUI Futsal Øyvind Vie

For those who may not know, what is futsal?

t’s quite similar to football, but the main difference is that we play indoors on a handball court with handball goals instead of a full-size field. The futsal season starts in the winter after the football season is over and lasts until spring. We also play with 4 outfield players and a goalkeeper, and we use a different ball that doesn’t bounce as much. Last year, we were promoted to Eliteserien, which has opened up many new opportunities for us to travel for games and receive support from sponsors.

Why did you choose to get involved in volunteering?

It was probably like for most people; I was asked to take on a small role, and it just grew from there. After my first year, the coach was stepping down, so he asked me and another person if we wanted to work as assistant coaches, which was very exciting as I had many ideas and thoughts I wanted to try out. As I got more responsibility, I wanted to make more of it, so I started searching on YouTube to find some tips and tricks we could try out in training. Eventually, the responsibilities piled up, making it challenging to juggle both football and futsal. So, I decided to fully commit to futsal.”

I’ve also taken the grassroots coaching course, where you train grassroots coaches in futsal. Even though I initially thought I would be the one receiving the training, I ended up suddenly becoming a course facilitator. The more I learn, the more I want to be involved in futsal, and to continue working towards achieving good results.

Why did you choose to become a coach, and what motivates you in your job?

A significant part of my motivation comes from the social environment of the club. We have around 30 players (one team in the Eliteserien and another in the second division), so we have become very close and good friends. It is very rewarding to see the players working together with commitment and interest to achieve the same goals. As a coach, it’s enjoyable to witness development, to see that the many hours spent each day are yielding results in matches and practices. From struggling in the first division in Trondheim to competing in the Eliteserien, making significant progress in cup competitions, and advancing to the European Championship, it’s clear that as a team, we have undergone significant development. Seeing that the players are as passionate as I am, even when it comes to tactics, motivates me even more to work hard as a coach.

What’s the next step within NTNUI, do you have any further plans for the team?

Since we are already at the highest level we can be, with participation limits set by events like the European Universities Games, playing in the Eliteserien, and competing in the Norwegian Championship, winning the Eliteserien would be an incredible experience as it could lead to participation in the Champions League. I believe the most important aspect is to build a strong culture within the team and with the management, something that can be carried forward after those currently in leadership positions step down. A crucial part of the club is the supporting team, which dedicates a significant amount of time to the club beyond training and matches.

As we have taken on larger roles with our promotion, the next step will be to establish a solid administrative system that functions well, allowing us to focus 100% on the sporting aspects. Educating future coaches is also crucial to maintain the quality of what we do.

Player-coach Thomas Aarnes, with his unwavering motivation, passion for futsal, and commitment to the team’s best interests and continuous development, is the true guiding star for the team. He is currently pursuing a UEFA B License in Finland and deserves the highest commendation for taking the team to new heights.

Via Eliteserien Futsal Instagram

You have one million to spend freely in NTNUI, what do you use it for?

Then I would probably use it to cover our travel budget, which is a significant expense for us, leading us to engage in quite a bit of fundraising. Generally, I would use it to cover team expenses so that we can pursue the sport, attend matches and tournaments without burdening individuals’ wallets.

Do you have many travels per year?

We have planned three trips to Oslo, one trip to Bodø, one trip to Sortland-Tromsø. All of this requires a lot of funds and additional expenses with taxis to and from the airport. In addition, we have the Norwegian Championship in Drammen and the European Championship in Hungary next summer.

What do you think about being nominated as “ildsjel”

Very nice, always enjoyable to receive praise for something one spends so much time on! I think we are good at taking care of each other and highlighting those on the team who put in extra effort. There are so many who contribute a lot and deserve to receive this recognition.

If you didn’t have a position in NTNUI, where would you prefer to be involved?

I’m not sure, the more free time I have, the more it goes into futsal! So I don’t have much free time aside from my teaching studies, my job at Værnes, and substituting at a secondary school in Tiller.

Best memory with NTNUI? 

When we won Student lekene last year, it was absolutely incredible. It was also the former coach’s final wish and big dream, so it’s a bit teasing in his honor. But still, a significant moment for us. During SL, the entire team gets to participate; there’s no need to select players to join or not, so that makes it even more enjoyable.

I have never experienced anything similar, in terms of unity and achievement, on a team and within a club like NTNUI.

– Thomas Aarnes

Who would you be on a deserted island with? Why?

It’s difficult to choose since I believe everyone on the team could do well, but I might choose Nils Utsi, a hands-on person whom I think would manage well!

Rowing’s tights or devil’s hat?

We’ve already played with the devil’s hat in the final of the University Games this year, so I’ll go for that one!

Volunteer of the Month” is a regular column created by the promotional team in collaboration with photographers from NTNUI Blits. Do you know an “ildsjeler” in NTNUI? Tip us at: blits-promo@ntnui.no

Text: Emilie Sofie Eilertsen
Photo: Leonie Richarz/NTNUI Blits, Thomas Meinicke/NTNUI, private

Sigurd currently serves on the board of the NTNUI Diving Group as the cellar manager. During the summer, he has dedicated a significant portion of his free time to building a new hot tub (on a trailer) after the old one gave out. This hot tub will benefit the diving group and others who wish to rent it for various enjoyable events. In addition to this, for many years, he has done an immense amount for the diving group. He works tirelessly to ensure that the subgroup is not only a place for divers/freedivers/underwater rugby players to practice their sport but also a vibrant social hub. He assists with all sorts of tinkering and fixing that the group needs, whether it’s gifts for the friendship club in Helsinki, stencils for equipment labeling, organizing parties after general meetings, and much more—he handles it. He lives and breathes pressurized air and the NTNUI Diving Group, and he truly deserves some recognition!

Nora S. Oma, Deputy Chair/UWR-responsible in NTNUI Diving Group

Hello Sigurd! Tell me a bit about yourself. Who are you really, and what are your passions in life?
I’m from Haugesund and was born and raised on the west coast. I obtained my diving certification on the day I turned 12. I’m now in my fifth year of studies, pursuing a master’s degree in physical planning at NTNU. I also have a bachelor’s degree in water and wastewater engineering and work a lot in that field. As you can probably tell, I’m very involved with water in general. I grew up in an environment with a lot of diving and organizational work, and my entire family has always been very passionate about both diving and athletics.

How did you end up in NTNUI and Trondheim then?
One of the main reasons I chose to move and apply to Trondheim is the diving group and the offerings there. NTNU is, of course, very good as well, but I knew many people from underwater rugby beforehand and knew that there were good people and a great crowd. I’ve been involved with the diving group from day 1, quite literally, since I applied to join it on Værnesekspressen when I moved here.

Yes, because that’s one of the offerings you have in the Diving Group?
Yes, we have three subgroups, consisting of the Diving Group, Underwater Rugby, and Freediving. Additionally, we have a social group, which I am mostly involved with these days. I serve as the Kjellersjef (cellar manager) in the board, responsible for the social aspect. However, I have been involved in all three subgroups.

What role do you have now?
I have mainly been in the Diving Group at NTNUI in various roles but have also been involved in working on matters related to swimming pool development, which I find very interesting.

But why do you engage so much in volunteering? Is it natural for you to be engaged?
Yes, it is. I know how much volunteers and enthusiasts matter for sports. It’s not necessarily the case that everything can be done for free, or that it’s taken for granted that it will be done, and someone has to do it. It’s something I have a lot of fun doing, and I do a lot of different things because of it. I’m involved in everything from costume design to building a new hot tub, organizing trips both in Norway and with our Finnish sister club, and much more. It’s also fun to be politically engaged on behalf of NTNUI and the Diving Group. I’ve, for instance, written an article in the newspaper about swimming pool appropriations and worked quite a bit on that. I find it rewarding to have roles, and it’s fun when you see the results of it.

It can easily become that you engage in a lot and take on many roles, but it seems like you really enjoy it?
It’s just a lot of fun. I get to do so many different things, and when you see that it direct results in the group members enjoying themselves and becoming better in their roles, it’s very rewarding.

What would you say is the coolest thing you’ve worked on in NTNUI?
Oh, that’s a good question! There are two things I find it very enjoyable to work on. The first one is the hot tub project that I’m leading. It’s a long-term project, but it’s starting to take shape. The swimming pool issue is something I’m very passionate about. Both through the article I wrote and also the user meeting with the sports council about the hall design and what was important there. It ended up with the diving group almost taking over that meeting and presenting suggestions for how to design the swimming pool area considering special groups like those involved in diving, underwater rugby, and synchronized swimming. It’s a project that, if well implemented, can have positive consequences for the city and users of the swimming pool for the next 60-70 years.

What’s the story behind the hot tub then? There have been rumors that the Diving Group has used and enjoyed it before.
It started with a trip to Finland where they had taken a trash bin, filled it with water, and called it a hot tub. But eventually, more people found that it’s also a lot of fun during trips, so they built pallet hot tubs on several occasions, using pallets and tarpaulin. When it became very popular, they bought a trailer, and I think they just built a pallet hot tub on top of that, but then it was easy to bring it along on trips. Now, we’re building a proper hot tub with an aluminum frame covered with insulation. We’ll then cast fiberglass over it to make it really solid and have a 28 kW pump, so it’ll be nice and warm. There are probably a few hundred work hours left, but many people are helping, so we’ll manage. I’ve worked on it for about 250 hours so far.

Wow, so there might be quite a bit of blood, sweat, and tears behind that hot tub?
A LOT. We’re also cutting XPS boards, which are pressure-resistant insulation. The sound of cutting through hundreds of meters, like styrofoam against styrofoam, is constant and quite awful, hahaha.

I’d like to ask you some fun questions at the end, just for fun. Are you in?
Yes, that’s great fun, so go ahead!

If you were stuck in an elevator with anyone in the world, who would it be?
I think Dag Sørås. He’s very funny and has a dark humor that you might need in an elevator. A little gallows humor is fun.

Rowing tights or devil’s hat?
Oh, that was a fun question, but I think I have to go with the devil’s hat because I’m so used to wearing a speedo because of underwater rugby, so it would be nice to have a head covering. Plus, we do a lot of boating in the Diving Group.

Is there something you’d like to say right at the end about having roles since you seem quite reflective about this?
Having roles in volunteer work costs a lot, but it also gives back a lot more. Especially when it comes to working with others and helping them become better at what they do, and that’s very important. It’s not everything you need to financially benefit from, but it makes life really nice. You might risk burning out, so it’s important to remember that what you’re doing is voluntary work, and you don’t have to work yourself to death. The most important thing is the sport and that it’s fun to be involved with, as it’s easy to get absorbed in the roles. Sometimes you probably need to be more selfish and focus on what’s fun, not always having to take responsibility

The volunteer of the month is a regular column created by the promo team in collaboration with the photographers in NTNUI Blits. Would you like to nominate someone for the firebrand of the month? Send to blits-promo@ntnui.no