The project team welcomed new coaches — Vitaliy Zaryvnyy, Maxim Davychyk, and Tetiana Smyk — who completed the required training by the Ukrainian Football Association (UFA).

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“The UEFA PLAYMAKERS program gives girls the opportunity to explore the world through their favorite game — football. Here, they have a great time — with new friends in a warm and positive atmosphere. Thanks to UEFA PLAYMAKERS, girls are eager to participate and look forward to new training sessions where football becomes part of their lives.” — Vitaliy Zaryvnyy shared his impressions after the first cycle of classes.

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And here are comments from mothers of young participants:

“For our small village, professional football seemed like something unreal. And girls' football is not available in all cities. We were very lucky that our children got the chance to learn and acquire skills under the best coaches. My daughter has never gone to training by force; she always enjoys it, finds it interesting, and a sports interest appeared from the first classes and remains to this day. Thanks to materials and sports equipment provided by the Ukrainian Football Association, trainings have become even more interesting, brighter, and professional. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the development of our children because in such difficult times for Ukraine, it is very important to distract them from worries and negative thoughts.”

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“Previously, we thought that a girl and football were incompatible concepts. According to stereotypes, girls usually prefer dancing or singing. But thanks to the UEFA PLAYMAKERS program, which provided an enjoyable and safe start to playing football accompanied by Disney stories, our daughter fell in love with football. During classes, she made new friends and acquired skills in playing football. After training sessions, my child is always satisfied and active. Each subsequent training session is even more interesting than the previous one. I am grateful to this program for having such coaches — professionals in their field — for my daughter.”

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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 acquiring football skills;
• to refine girls' life skills, basic movement skills, and teach the basics of football to foster lifelong interest in the sport.