The event was organized by the Chernivtsi Oblast Football Association and the Department of Physical Culture and Health Basics at the Faculty of Physical Culture and Human Health, Chernivtsi National University named after Y. Fedkovych.

Photo by AFCO

Participants of the "Open Football Lessons" in Yuriyivtsi included students from educational institutions in the Yuriyivtsi territorial community: Yuriyivtsi, Balamutivska, Pohorilivska, Rzhavynetska, Horoshovetska and Dobrinivka schools. A total of 72 children were involved.

Photo by AFCO

"Open Football Lessons" is a very special environment where the level of skills, age, gender or specific educational needs of participants do not matter. It's a combination of friendship and fostering healthy living among children. And for us adults, within such events it is also very important to have intersectoral communication, when teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, representatives of sports organizations interact," noted the director of Yuriyivtsi school during the opening.

Photo by AFCO

The highlight of "Open Football Lessons" in Bukovyna was that volunteers-instructors during the event were third-year students from the Department of Physical Culture and Health Basics at the Faculty of Physical Culture and Human Health, Chernivtsi National University. They were prepared by the department head, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Yuriy Mosiychuk together with lecturers Serhiy Dariychuk and Mykola Baydych.

Photo by AFCO

During the ceremonial opening of the event, its participants were greeted by First Deputy Chairman of the Chernivtsi Oblast Football Association Serhiy Zadorozhnyak, regional coordinator of the project from AFCO Oleksandr Plakhov and Associate Professor of the Department of Physical Culture and Health Basics at the Faculty of Physical Culture and Human Health, Chernivtsi National University Serhiy Dariychuk.

The "Open Football Lessons" (Open Fun Football Schools) project by the Ukrainian Football Association supported by UEFA is:

• psychosocial support for children of ZSU military, IDPs, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship between children of IDPs and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participants regardless of skill level, gender, as well as the participation of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football - joy from playing instead of results at any cost;
• fostering a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons and others).

All project events are held in regions with the approval of oblast military administrations.