An inclusive football section for children with special educational needs has recently started operating in the Zboriv Territorial Community within the UAF "Inclusive Football Sections" project.

Unfortunately, access to sports is problematic for many children with disabilities and those with special educational needs in Ukraine. There is a noticeable shortage of qualified professionals in regions. Through this UAF project, they aim to change societal attitudes and help children discover their potential and improve their psycho-emotional and physical well-being through the opportunity to engage in sports.

Photo by AFT

The project utilizes mass football as a powerful tool to introduce inclusive education for children in Ukraine through play-based activities, integrates children with disabilities and those with special educational needs into children's groups, trains volunteers for further implementation of the possibility of conducting regular sessions with these children, creates inclusive football sections, and supports their continued stable development within communities.

After preliminary training in Kyiv, Maria Shalay, a coach of inclusive football sections and an expert with extensive experience working with inclusive children, conducted sessions with students from Zboriv Secondary School No. 1.

Photo by AFT

The children enjoyed the activities, although these sessions were challenging for them; however, the coach and volunteers who assisted the children during the session helped overcome difficulties in training.

Thanks to UAF, the section in Zboriv is equipped with children's football uniforms, balls, and necessary sports equipment.

Photo by AFT

"This is a unique opportunity for every child to feel part of a team, develop physical and social skills, and simply enjoy the game! Thank you to the Ukrainian Football Association, the Ternopil Football Association, and the Children's Rights Protection Foundation for providing equipment that allows us to conduct interesting and beneficial sessions for children," noted Maria Shalay.

Main goals of the UAF "Inclusive Football Sections" project:

• Improve the psycho-emotional and physical state of children with disabilities and those with special educational needs through their involvement in project activities and socialization;
• Change societal attitudes towards people with disabilities and children with special educational needs;
• Provide access to inclusive sports activities;
• Unleash children's potential;
• Unite children and adults, regardless of physical or mental development characteristics;
• Motivate all children in mass football, regardless of abilities, gender, social issues;
• Activate local communities through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

Thanks to UAF, the sections are equipped with children's football uniforms, balls, and necessary sports equipment.