The football coach stood out as gay, was acclaimed by the players – VG

– That was touching. When it happened, I automatically thought about when it wasn’t very good for me. But right then, I had a lot of great players, coaches, supervisors and a club in front of me, around me. I think it was very nice, says Austmo, who is the coach of Steinkjer’s 14-boy team.

The last thing he did before heading to Sunday’s game was to put the yellow captain’s bandage on the captain’s arm. Austmo came out of the locker room first and the surprise was great when all the players came out onto the field with rainbow-colored bandages around their arms.

– I did not know anything. They came walking straight towards me, and I see the armbands with the rainbow colors and the rainbow flag. They all came up to me, gave me a crown salute and said “We support you”, the young technician tells VG.

Trønder-Avisa was the first to mention the case.

Here Austmo is surprised by the players:

Go out on Facebook

Very few professional soccer players and male coaches have become gay. In Norwegian top-level football, there are no openly gays. Sexual orientation remains taboo in much of the soccer community, but Austmo wants to be a role model, both on and off the soccer field.

The 24-year-old came out as gay via text message on Facebook this spring.

– The text is mainly about me as a trainer and teacher, and the difference I can make. You have an important role as a leader for children and young people, and you can show what attitudes you have, says the football coach.

Austmo took over responsibility for the G14 team a couple of months after posting the text on Facebook. Several in the club knew about the publication on social networks, and in the first meeting with the players, the coach chose to tell his orientation. He also reported on the NFF’s “7 Queer Soccer Bids” because he’s concerned about increasing diversity in soccer.

– I chose to pick up the thread. Publishing a text is one thing, but what you do in practice is the next step. I’ve never had any doubts that I want to be open about it and talk about it, he says and has great support from parents and club employees.

– a wonderful person

Co-coach Kjetil Vollan was the initiator for the club to show its support during the march to the match.

– Jon Espen has focused a lot on attitudes and that football is for everyone, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation or religion. Teach good attitudes to players. Most people probably won’t be good enough to make a living from soccer, but youngsters will “get it,” he says.

Vollan says the players backed the initiative 100 percent. So did Rolf Ove Korsvei, who came forward and carried the rainbow flag. He speaks of a group of very united and committed parents who give Austmo their full support.

– This hasn’t changed our view of him at all, but it made us even closer. Jon Espen is a fantastic person who is very good with boys. I suspect he has a great future ahead of him as a coach, and he thinks he deserves all the “credit” he gets.

I hope to inspire others

Steinkjer FK CEO Gisle Kristian Almlid-Larsen is concerned that the club must lead the way when it comes to unity and inclusion.

– We have worked well for many years with attitudes in the club. This is a positive topic and something we want to focus on. There is room for everyone in soccer, and no one should be left out due to its orientation, he says.

Austmo hasn’t regretted standing out as gay, but he understands that many in soccer refuse to take that step. He still hopes more will follow.

– With the decision in hand, I can say as little as I really have to say. I understand that it becomes a problem when I stand up, and I understand that not everyone wants that role. There can be a lot of pressure and it can feel heavy, especially at a higher level in soccer. I hope more people can see how well things have gone for me.