In 2016, Swedish Axians employee Fredrik and his wife Malin were having trouble finding inclusive activities for their autistic son, Emil, so they founded Sollentuna Dragons, an ice hockey team for people with disabilities. They are only team in Sweden that plays standing para ice hockey and currently have sixteen members. 

Sollentuna Dragons welcome players aged between 11 and 43 years. While it can be difficult to find opponents, the team is brimming with enthusiasm and plays against a variety of local groups. Fredrik, who is also the team coach, is delighted with this initiative: 

“I’ve played ice hockey my whole life, in many different roles and different teams, but the Dragons are by far the most fun I’ve ever had in this sport. The players spread so much joy and happiness being part of a team. You can really see how it makes everyone stronger and more closely attuned.” He adds that “Young people and adults with disabilities often become sedentary and struggle to find activities they can feel part of. For us, it’s a way to help them feel like they belong to a group, practicing a sport they really love.” 

Training takes place every Saturday, with an hour of physical fitness followed by an hour on the ice. As well as the hockey, players also meet on Mondays for floorball sessions. 

Thanks to support from the Fondation VINCI, Sollentuna Dragons have been able to travel to play matches in Finland, where standing para ice hockey is well established. This support also allowed the purchase of essential team equipment. Sollentuna Dragons experience their fair share of high points: in March 2024, the team featured in the TV show Fimpens Resa and made their annual trip to Finland.  

Fredrik welcomes anyone who wants to join the initiative: “There’s always room for committed people. I think you have to take some time and prioritise. It’s fantastic being with a group that takes so much joy in ice hockey and just belonging to a team that meets and trains together. To see the people here grow as individuals makes so many other things seem less important and gives you a different perspective on life. I’ll carry on doing this for as long as I possibly can.”