A New Season Begins: Ulriken Eagles Shine For Social Responsibility
Within the Ulriken Eagles Basketball Club, good manners, character and social responsibility form the foundation of true sportsmanship both within the club and the extended collaboration with other sports clubs through after-school programs, Girls Initiatives, LIM, Basketakademiet and NextGen Neighbor Network.
The 2026/27 basketball season was kicked off with a team-building day led by the club’s legendary leadership. Prioritizing the club’s values and morals is a continuous key focus from Ulriken Eagles leadership. This goes far beyond the basketball court: sportsmanship, respect, social responsibility, discipline, good manners and learning how to be part of a team culture and community.
Fifty-five years after its founding, Ulriken Eagles remain proof that sport can be a powerful vehicle to build community. At the heart of their sustainable eco-system are their SUPER Role Models, living proof of dual excellence and playing an active role in social responsibility for the younger generation, securing growth, development and belonging. Basketball is used as a tool for integration, and SUPER role models serve as community builders par excellence.
This is particularly important in communities where families may face economic barriers. By creating safe, structured environments for children from the beginning of their school years, the club helps strengthen their upbringing, reduce the risk of youth crime and give young people a community in which they can thrive.
Limited Space - Huge Societal Contribution
Generations of families have found purpose, friendship and connection in Landåshallen, the club’s local arena and long-standing community home. A home where the Ulriken Eagles have foundsuccess, developed so many athletes, role models and community builders, but operates from one of the smallest arenas, with limited space for spectators and no room for children to participate in initiatives such as LIM.
Landåshallen simply does not have the capacity although the club’s social responsibility contributions especially to youth development and the surrounding community is simply - GINORMOUS.
Active Leaders Creating a Social-Responsibility Ecosystem
Under the committed and consistent guidance of leaders including Ingvild Sanford, Durell Sanford, General Manager Arild Buen, Thorstein Beckman Monsen, Håvard Helstrup, Stig Jacobsen, Geir Eikenes, members of the Austgulen family, and the wider Ulriken Eagles community, young athletes are surrounded by adults who actively demonstrate sportsmanship and deeply instilled values shown in their social responsibility.
These leaders provide the stability, predictability and clear expectations children need in order to develop. Their work is supported by generations of families, coaches, volunteers, players and supporters who have invested their time and energy in the club and its surrounding community. Through cooperation with other clubs, schools and community volunteers, Ulriken Eagles is helping create an ecosystem of responsible adults in which young people are recognized for their social value, encouraged to participate and given a genuine sense of belonging. Arild Buen also serves as a strategic and long term contributor to Basketakademiet and Bergen BLNO Women with Baard Stoller in Frøya Basket.
Sanford Strong
The Ulriken Eagles women’s program has benefited enormously from the stability, consistency and leadership of Head Coach Durell Sanford. Durell maintains a humble profile and is actively involved with young children in local schools, helping introduce them to basketball while giving them structure, encouragement and positive experiences during their earliest years.
Durell has a rare ability to identify potential and turn it into excellence. His influence can be seen throughout Ulriken Eagles and Norwegian basketball. All four of his children are representing Norway at national-team level, while players developed through Ulriken Eagles have formed a significant part of the Norwegian Women’s National Team, including 11 out of 12 Ulriken Eagles as current players.
Together with his wife, Ulriken Eagles Director of Sports, Ingvild Sanford, Durell has helped shape a culture in which basketball becomes a healthy, sustainable way of life. Their work has attracted attention overseas, but their commitment remains firmly rooted in Bergen and in the community surrounding Ulriken Eagles.
What distinguishes the women’s team is their active contributions within the community, long-term loyalty to one another, their shared commitment to giving something back to the next generation, discipline, perseverance, accountability and the willingness to contribute to something larger than the individual.
A Family Legacy in Motion
The club’s strength is also embodied by the dedicated families, volunteers, and supporters who have invested across generations. For 55 years the Austgulen family have invested their time, knowledge and energy in the club and its local community, helping sustain a legacy that continues to grow, while also contributing to activities including Veteran-NM, the Bergen Basketfestival Hansa Cup, tournaments, girls’ initiatives, camps and other local events. ”
Growing The Girls Initiative + Camps
General Manager, Arild Buen is already kicking off the season keeping his eyes on the club’s continued youth development, strengthening its commitment to social responsibility, and increasing girls’ participation. Improving recruitment and creating stronger opportunities for female athletes are among the most important priorities for him, but its important also to not forget the boys side.“We need to focus on girls at both the youth and senior levels,” he says. “We are fortunate to have outstanding female role models in Ulriken Eagles. We also need to continue recruiting girls at a young age and ensure we take care of them once they join the club.
This summer, Ulriken Eagles held activity camps with 60 participants during the first period, while the last period in Landåshallen had a total of 110 participants, total it was around 210 participants. The kids ranged in ages 6-13 and came from 9 different schools. An important part of the camps was to give responsibility to the youth in the club. There were a total of 12 activity managers, all recruited from Ulriken Eagles. It was a balance of girls and boys, who together helped to create a safe and good environment for the children. Karyn Sanford, Helene Klett and Mirko Plivelic were project managers and were responsible for planning and coordination. Together with the rest of the Ulriken Eagles leaders, they have been responsible for organizing, facilitating and follow-up before and during the camps.
Community partnerships, themed events, youth activities and innovative game-day experiences can all help bring new audiences to women’s basketball and youth participation.
Action Is Needed—How to Help
Attracting new sponsors, local businesses, and long-term contributors are an important part of Ulriken Eagles’ continued development. Sponsors can help create memorable experiences through events, activities and opportunities for young players. Their contribution, however, can go much further than placing a logo on a uniform or sign. By understanding and supporting the club’s social responsibility, community work, businesses become active participants in youth development, inclusion and crime prevention. When local businesses invest in responsible sports clubs and cultural activities, they help create safe, positive meeting places for children and young people. They also contribute to a stronger local community in which social responsibility is understood as a shared commitment.
