Social project of the Ukrainian Football Association and Zhytomyr Oblast Football Association "Inclusive Football Sections" successfully implemented in Zhytomyr with the support of the Third Inclusive-Resource Center and Lyceum No. 14.

The regional coordinator for the project from OAF is Ruslan Mayevsky, while the coach who underwent preliminary training at a seminar by UFA is Nadia Hrytsuk.

Photo ZOFA

It should also be noted that the participants of the section (children with special educational needs, some - with disabilities) joined and participated in the festival "Open Football Lessons", which took place in another community of the region - in Pulinahs.

The project coach noted: "The emotions of the children are very simple and joyful. Everyone says that football is fun, and friends appear. Everyone was very sad when parting for the summer."

Photo ZOFA

In general, noticeable improvements were observed in the behavior of all children, communication skills, self-organization and self-care. The children became more confident, their level of anxiety decreased. They also started to develop skill sets for task distribution (not only during training but at home as well).

Photo ZOFA

Main goals of the project UAF:

— to improve the psycho-emotional and physical state of children with disabilities and special educational needs through their involvement in physical activities of the project and socialization;

— to change society's attitude towards people with disabilities and children with special educational needs;

— to provide access to inclusive sports activities;

— to unlock the potential of children;

— to unite children and adults, regardless of physical or mental development characteristics;

— to motivate all children for mass football, regardless of abilities, gender, social issues;

— to activate local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons and others).

Thanks to UFA, the sections are equipped with children's football uniforms, balls, and necessary sports equipment.