Within the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ukrainian Football Association and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, there was an opportunity organized for students interested in internships at the association. The students attended a press conference where they had the chance to familiarize themselves with the activities of the UFA and the work of various departments.

According to the event summary, a competition for the best news story among journalism students took place. We publish the winning news story by first-year student Yaroslava Rosynchuk from the Journalism Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

"Today at 12:00, a press conference with President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko took place. Representatives of media and football community gathered in the House of Football in Kyiv to learn about the achievements and plans of the association under its new leadership."

Photo: Dan Balashov

The meeting began with an official welcome and gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"— Good day, thank you all for coming. I see great interest in today's event," Andriy Shevchenko started the meeting. "— We will talk about my year as president. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, all men and women who defend our country, everyone involved in ensuring that it exists, that Ukrainian football exists."

During the meeting, the UFA team presented a report on "9 Steps for Developing Ukrainian Football." They also spoke about the budget, digitalization, development of teams, work to improve refereeing, marketing and other reforms.

Andriy Shevchenko also highlighted his tenth program point.

"— Today I would like to add a 10th point to this program. It concerns the team. I have been involved in football since childhood and know what it means to be part of a team. I was captain of Ukraine's national team, its coach. Now I am an official, president of the Ukrainian Football Association. I understand how important a team is. I would like to thank all supporters, everyone involved in the ecosystem of Ukrainian football for their support last year and for supporting our national team. I want to thank every employee of UFA. We are this single ecosystem that works today for Ukrainian football. Also, I want to thank the clubs, which are its main locomotive."

The first point was transparency. They talked about unifying the budget of UFA and UFA - Marketing into one strategy. For a detailed presentation, they invited Natalia Oskolok - Financial Director of UFA. Ms. Natalia spoke about income, expenses, and balances on the budget of UFA. According to the association, in 2024, revenue amounted to 29.1 million euros, while expenditures were 21.8 million euros, allowing them to end the year with a surplus of 7.7 million euros. The main source of income was grants from UEFA, which accounted for over 75% of all revenues. Among expenses, the largest portion went towards financing Ukraine's national team - 31%. They also announced the annual financial budget for 2025 and key financial reforms.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The second point is digitalization. The UFA has paid significant attention to the digitalization of football. Andriy Shevchenko emphasized that Ukraine significantly lags behind European leaders in this area but actively works on digital changes.

The association has already implemented an electronic document management system and is working on creating a platform for managing competitions. In addition, they plan to launch a mobile app providing fans and football organizations with quick access to important information.

Third point - professional development.

"— We focused on three key areas in this direction. The first is the decision to create a UFA Development Center. This program targets children and encourages them to play football. Second, we are laying the foundation now. We gave our coaches an opportunity to go to Manchester City Academy, one of the best in this field for knowledge exchange. According to agreement, we can use their methodology. Third - we plan to reorganize the UFA Licensing Center."

The next two points presented were team development and cooperation with clubs.

"— We all understand that results are key. Our main team, youth teams which support it... We have a clear vertical: Serhiy Rebrov is the head coach of the national team, Unai Melgares is responsible for the vertical of youth and junior teams. A few days ago we had a seminar where all coaches, analysts, scouts gathered. It was very productive; we have a clear understanding of our direction, requirements for player call-ups, results. We already announced those results we are expecting. So we wish all our team coaches to work in the glory of Ukrainian football and achieve or maintain these results."

Photo: Dan Balashov

Regarding cooperation with clubs, Andriy Shevchenko said:

"— I have already thanked them for constantly moving our football forward. I understand that there is a war now and it's not easy for everyone. We are in constant contact with the clubs. Our main goal is to treat all clubs equally, as this is the only ecosystem of Ukrainian football."

The sixth point was reforming arbitration.

"— We have referees who can work at a high level, including those who officiate Champions League matches. I believe in our Ukrainian referees. It is within our power to restart the system and revive the young referee school. Also, we can involve international consultants who will help improve the quality of our refereeing."

Kateryna Monzul in her video message spoke about the young referee academy: how training takes place, how much time is needed, specifics, peculiarities of the profession and other opportunities.

"— The problem with referees exists not only within UFA but also on Ukrainian territory. This is also an international issue - not just in Europe, but all over the world. For example, now UEFA creates many support programs, one of which is 'Be a Referee', aimed at developing refereeing and attracting more young people to become referees," Monzul noted.

The seventh point was post-traumatic recovery.

"— Post-traumatic recovery - this is a priority direction of UFA's work. Football has great potential and opportunities to help society. We have made the UFA Foundation, we understand our responsibility and want to develop this direction."

We also created 'League of Strength' - an amputee football project. The first competition took place a month ago. We believe in this project which can bring great benefit. At my international meetings I talk a lot about this project. I understand the number of today's amputee football players and the need for development in this direction.

Photo: Dan Balashov

We will involve, talk to UEFA and FIFA so that they provide grants. Football has a great power; it can change this direction positively in the lives of our defenders and defenders.

Effective marketing - eighth point. Andriy Shevchenko spoke about implementing new marketing vision, new technical sponsor adidas, and logistics partner 'AVT Bavaria'. This company provided the team with a new bus under contract with UFA.

The ninth point is international cooperation.

"— This is the point I am most involved in. The main focus here is strengthening and improving relations with FIFA and UEFA. We also signed memorandums of cooperation with associations from Latvia, Germany, Italy, Norway, Romania, Croatia, France, Saudi Arabia, San Marino. We are constantly in touch with various associations as it's important to maintain relationships, present our position, narratives."

"— This year has been very difficult for everyone, including Ukrainian football. The main thing is that we work as a single team to develop and support Ukrainian football. We have a strategy, vision. War is ongoing, so we have one strategy. If there are changes, and we all believe in this, then we are ready to change our strategy - it will be very serious. I am ready to work for Ukrainian football. Glory to Ukraine!"

The press conference concluded with a Q&A session during which Andriy Shevchenko answered journalists' current questions and outlined the prospects for the development of Ukrainian football in the near future.

Author: Yaroslava Rosynchuk