The regular football section within the project of the Ukrainian Football Association and the Volyn Football Association «Open Football Festivals» in Lviv combined three components — promoting a healthy lifestyle, emotional relief for children through play, and safety knowledge during wartime.

Classes take place twice a week under the guidance of volunteer coach Andriy Tuchkevych, who has extensive experience working with children and holds the appropriate coaching certification. Twenty-five boys and girls attend these training sessions with great enthusiasm.

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The section leader emphasizes: «Children's football is beneficial physical exercise for growing bodies, it will have a great positive impact on the child. Muscle tissue and bones will strengthen. Training will help develop various muscle groups, providing comprehensive stress to the entire body, which will be in excellent tone. Football is a team sport, so teamwork skills are developed, planning skills are formed, responsibility for one's actions is cultivated, character and leadership qualities are nurtured. Thanks to communication within the team, social skills, perseverance, and willpower develop.»

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Iryna, the mother of team captain Artem R., shared her impressions about the impact of football training on children: «Children's football is real sports magic because it gives kids the opportunity to show strength, agility, and a will to win; develops teamwork, mutual support, and true friendship; inspires a new generation of athletes for great achievements; charges with incredible emotions, drive, and a desire for victory, as well as breaks stereotypes and shows that this is a game without limits. Thanks to participating in competitions, children have the opportunity to visit different cities in Ukraine, get acquainted with cultural landmarks, play on beautiful sports fields, and receive lots of positive.»

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Parents are grateful to coach Andriy Tuchkevych for his parental care and professional approach to training, supporting him in every way. Our coach motivates his young wards to participate in competitions and meaningful excursions each month.

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Children and parents express gratitude to the Ukrainian Football Association for involving young football players in the «Open Football Festivals» project, especially now as training helps children distance themselves from the hardships of wartime and improve their stress resilience. Also, they are grateful for the sports equipment provided, which facilitates meaningful and enriching training sessions.»

The Ukrainian Football Association's «Open Football Festivals» project is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, internally displaced persons' children, and those affected by the war;
• uniting and friendship among IDP children and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge during wartime;
• the philosophy of mass football — joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• promoting a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activating local communities through cross-sector networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, security experts, parents, local authorities, patrons, etc.).