Thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and at the initiative of President of the UAF, UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelka, after a year-long break related to the full-scale invasion by occupiers on Ukrainian territory, the work of the National School of Football Referees of Ukraine has been restored.

The opening seminar that took place in recent days at the House of Football was attended by Deputy Head of the UAF Referee Committee and Director of NSFA Serhiy Lysenchuk, as well as lecturers and members of the UAF Committee.

Head of the committee Luciano Locte greeted young referees. He wished them to always set high goals for themselves and engage in daily work to achieve them. Moreover, Mr. Locte noted that each referee has a chance to officiate at matches of the U-19 league and second division if they demonstrate a stable level of refereeing and utilize experience gained from regional and amateur-level games.

After discussions with other seminar participants, referees took tests, written exams, and video tests. Later, Serhiy Lysenchuk presented the program for NSFA second-year students, while member of the Committee Mykhailo Ovchar outlined directions in women's football.

The event attendees received information about current requirements for referees regarding physical preparation and medical examination.

In addition, referees were informed about competition regulations of DYLFL and AAFFU, and they also attended lectures by NSFA lecturers — FIFA referee Denis Shurman, Committee member Leonid Yarmolinsky, leading specialist Viktor Derdo, and Deputy Head of the Refereeing Support Department of UAF Dmitro Kubryak.

Luciano Locte also drew young referees' attention to the moral-ethical component of behavior, which should be considered not only during football matches.

The final part of the seminar was interesting as young referees engaged in a feedback session with Lysenchuk and Kubryak, who experienced occupation and combat actions, and Dmitro also felt what it is like to be in captivity. Young referees also learned how to survive under these conditions while simultaneously pursuing their passion.

Overall, the seminar was very enriching with interesting presentations and discussions with well-known figures in football. Despite difficult times, UAF plans this year to pay maximum attention to young referees.