Within the initiative implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association together with the Kirovohrad Regional Football Association, trainings are conducted by coaches Oleksiy Kovaleiko, Yana Gorodetska and football volunteers Yulia Zhuravlyova, Karina Shevchenko, Yevheniya Syvach, and Angelina Aulyna.

Photo KROA

The football initiative for the youngest girls, which has no analogues, is being implemented at two local educational institutions' bases: in warm weather trainings take place on the courtyard of Lyceum "Victoria-P", and during cold weather — in the gymnasium of Lyceum "Scientific".

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"Thanks to our armed forces, we are able to implement this wonderful football project and engage girls in exciting training sessions. The uniqueness of the project lies in using Disney's magical world of animated films: the girls imagine themselves as heroes from their favorite shows and effortlessly learn the basics of football. In this way, we have begun developing women's football in Kropyvnytskyi," — said coach Oleksiy Kovaleiko.

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The head of the Kirovohrad Regional Football Association, Viktor Bezsmertnyi, noted: "In response to a proposal from the Ukrainian Football Association to start the UEFA Playmakers project, our association immediately responded. Its implementation was entrusted to an experienced professional Oleksiy Kovaleiko, and he fully met expectations. Thanks to this initiative, women's football in the region has received a new impulse. For example, in Kropyvnytskyi, a female coach for football and futsal — Yana Gorodetska — appeared who now trains the girls' team 'Spartak'. Despite the difficult wartime situation, women's football in Kirovohrad region continues to develop."

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Project coach Yana Gorodetska shared her impressions: "Before the full-scale invasion, women's football in Kropyvnytskyi had a fairly good level — there was a team 'Bagira', which included girls from local futsal teams. The team played in the first league. Unfortunately, the war forced many players to leave the city, and the club ceased operations. Thanks to the UEFA Playmakers project, former footballers became interested in reviving women's football in the city. We started from scratch — with acquainting the youngest ones with the game. Gradually, girls got interested in training sessions, so now we plan to increase their number to improve participants' skill level."

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Father of one of the project participants, Roman K., noted: "In such times, children need not only physical but also psychological support. UEFA Playmakers gives them an opportunity to unwind, engage in their favorite activity, find friends and develop football skills. We sincerely thank the Ukrainian Football Association and UEFA for this project, for the possibility to train in safe conditions with quality equipment and a good mood. We hope that this is just the beginning!"

Goals of the UEFA Playmakers program, which is being implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association:

• to introduce girls to football, creating an environment for them where fun, friends and football are in focus;
• to introduce a new individual coaching approach that uses imagination (inspired by stories and Disney characters) as a tool for training and acquiring skills;
• to develop life skills, basic movement skills and teach the basics of football to foster lifelong interest in football.