Recently, a two-day training and seminar took place at the House of Football for second-year students of the National School of Football Referees, which is supervised by the UEFA Convention under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Football Association's Refereeing Committee.

Almost 100 of the best young referees from all over Ukraine began their training at NSFA, but only a third of them reached this seminar after successfully completing various tests throughout half a year—both theoretical (including English language) and practical (FIFA fitness tests, officiating amateur matches and DYPFL games). Before the start of the event, NSFA coordinator and deputy head of the CA UAF, Serhiy Lysenchuk, on behalf of the committee's leader Luciano Luca, greeted the school's students and emphasized the need for continuous preparation even during the off-season.

Photo by UAF press service

The leadership of UAF and the system's referee leader in Ukraine, Luciano Luca, pay great attention to future referees, so the best students will have a chance to showcase themselves in competitions among U-19 Premier League teams soon.

Mr. Luca wished the young people to always set only the highest goals for themselves. The head of CA UAF noted that only a stable level of refereeing, gained in regional and amateur-level matches, as well as knowledge of foreign languages, allows them to grow in class.

Photo by UAF press service

According to the preparation program, participants also attended lectures given by leading instructor of CA UAF Viktor Derdo and assistant referee coordinator Leonid Yarmolinsky.

With a presentation on the new UAF SOS UA project, its leader Oleksandr Kadchenko and instructor Oleg Molchanov highlighted the importance of referees' role in the project, provided practical recommendations and advice for creating safe environments for participants, fostering and strengthening relationships within football communities.

The function of referees regarding safety briefings before matches was also emphasized as important.

Photo by UAF press service

The program included FIFA-approved tests—both theoretical preparation, video and fitness tests. For the first time, young referees took theory tests in an electronic format used by professional referees.

After the conclusion of the seminar, Serhiy Lysenchuk expressed gratitude on behalf of Luciano Luca to everyone involved in organizing and conducting this event. We hope that thanks to ZSU and UAF leadership such seminars will continue to take place.