In the project implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association and the Sumy Oblast Football Association, the local UEFA PLAYMAKERS center's main coach works successfully, as well as the known referee Marina Strileckaya.

Photo by AFSO

The girls from her team described their project activities as follows: "I like football because you have to run very fast there, and I also like playing against opponents in football. These activities give me a chance to play and enjoy it," — says Maria.

"I decided to play football because I like it, because it's really cool and I get lots of emotions from the game, and I'm very interested in multicolored balls," — adds Liza.

Photo by AFSO

The father of one of the girls also joined the conversation: "My daughter chose football, and I as a dad chose this project because it's a team sport, it's about live interaction! Because nowadays most of our children's lives, unfortunately, take place online."

Goals of the UEFA PLAYMAKERS program implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association:

• to introduce girls to football by creating an environment where fun, friends, and football are at the center;
• to implement a new individual coaching approach that uses imagination (inspired by Disney stories and characters) as a tool for training and learning football skills;
• to refine girls' life skills, basic movement skills, and teach them the basics of football to foster a lifelong love of the sport.