15—18 December within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association project, implemented with the support of FIFA TDS program and aimed at selecting and preparing candidates for the WU-15 girls' national team, a selection camp «Challenge to Dream» was held in Shchaslyve, Kyiv Oblast.

Reminder that the first selection camp took place in November in Uzhhorod for six western Ukrainian regions.

Photo by the press office of UAF

This time, young footballers from central regions of Ukraine (Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, and Rivne oblasts) as well as girls from Mariupol joined the project. Since the professional women's team of this city is currently based in Kyiv, it gave the players an opportunity to participate on equal terms with others.

Photo by the press office of UAF

The program was intensive and included work on technical preparation, tactical thinking, and game discipline.

«We held two trainings a day — in the morning and evening. The sessions were varied. The girls are very satisfied with the camp. Everything went at a high level. I see that there are many talented players, with whom it is necessary to work. I think that for the WU-15 team, we can select from here», — noted assistant coach of «OFKIP-Polissia» Oleksandr Glukhyi.

Photo by the press office of UAF

Head coach of the WU-15 girls' national team Natalia Ignatovich shared the outcomes:

«This is the second camp for the WU-15 girls' national team. At this stage, we worked with girls from central regions of Ukraine. We saw their technical and tactical skills, as well as how they react to our observations. I am glad that such a project exists. It would be nice to have more time, because there are many girls, and each one wants to get the maximum attention».

Photo by the press office of UAF

It is worth noting that player and captain of «Metallist 1925» and national women's team of Ukraine Anna Petrik visited the camp. She interacted with young footballers, shared her professional experience in women's football, gave motivational advice, and supported the girls, inspiring them to confidently move towards their dreams.

Photo by the press office of UAF

The UAF «Challenge to Dream» project remains an important component of systemic work on the development of women's football in Ukraine and the formation of a reserve for future girls' national teams.