On May 14 at the Ukrainian Football Association, a practical seminar for coaches of male and female teams with players aged 16 and over was held, focusing on gender equality.

The event was organized within the framework of the project "Young Male and Female Players as Ambassadors of Gender Equality" (TARGET), which is being implemented under the support of the EU Erasmus+ program in sports.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

The goal of the project is to promote gender equality in youth football teams and beyond, as well as to create a strong international network that brings together four national football associations:

— The Latvian Football Federation;

— The Estonian Football Association;

— The Football Association of Malta;

— The Ukrainian Football Association.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Partners also include the training center ForModena, communication agency EURACTIV, and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE). The project is supported by UEFA.

Twenty coaches from male and female teams working with players aged 16+ participated in the seminar. Participants familiarized themselves with the methodology of the project and received practical tools for its implementation in their work.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

The head of the Women's and Girls' Football Committee at UFA, Anastasia Klypachenko, addressed participants with an opening speech:

"Such projects are very inspiring and influence the formation of future generations in football, especially women's. At the same time, they motivate coaches to progress, change their perspective and loyalty regarding gender in football.

We at the Ukrainian Football Association create platforms for the development of girls and boys together up to 12-13 years old because European countries have been moving in this direction for a long time and are achieving results faster as a result.

Women, both during their playing career and coaching, constantly face difficulties in achieving goals, may work twice as hard and continuously prove their significance, must meet the highest standards to receive fair pay.

We can break stereotypes and raise mentally healthy future generations through such projects as TARGET, other initiatives and events from UEFA, FIFA, and feedback from coaches and participants that will contribute to forming a new culture for their students and protégées.

In turn, we invited various women's team coaches and first league coaches in Ukraine. They received new experience - both theoretical and practical on the football field."

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

The methodology, developed by Italian partners, will be implemented by each of the national associations participating in the project. In March, preparatory training for instructors was already held who are now passing on their knowledge at the national level.

From June 2025 to April 2026, coaches will apply the methodology learned during the seminar in their daily work. This is expected to increase young players' awareness of gender equality and develop relevant competencies among coaches.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Each participant received methodological materials and sports equipment for the educational process.

In May 2026, within the framework of the project, a tournament among women's and men's teams (aged 16+) is planned. Based on its results, a mixed team will be formed to represent Ukraine at an international tournament in Riga (Latvia) in December 2026.

We remind you that the ambassadors of the TARGET project are Daria Apareshchenko and Anatoliy Trubin.