"Inclusive Football Sections" in Chernivtsi: a space of equal opportunities and great victories

In Chernivtsi, the cycle of meetings for the "Inclusive Football Sections" project of the Ukrainian Football Association and the Chernivtsi Oblast Football Association was completed at the basis of Chernivtsi Gymnasium No. 15.

"Inclusive Football Sections" in Chernivtsi: a space of equal opportunities and great victories

The group included children with socioadaptive, sociocultural, functional, and educational difficulties, as well as children from the category of VPO. The project's trainer was the renowned teacher Mykola Niga.

"In contemporary society, inclusion is no longer just a trend but an essential component of child development. Sports play a particularly important role in this process as they not only help strengthen health but also develop confidence, team spirit, and belief in one's own abilities. Our inclusive football section is exactly that — it successfully functions and unites children with various opportunities," notes Mykola Niga. "For me, the main thing is not the score on the board but the development of each student. In our section everyone is equal: some run faster, others better feel the game, but everyone has a chance to express themselves. We teach children to support one another, and this is more important than any victory."

The classes take place in a friendly atmosphere where children are not afraid to make mistakes and learn to work as a team. Inclusiveness allows each participant to feel part of the collective, find friends, and reveal their own potential.

Parents also note positive changes in their children.

"My son attends training with great pleasure. I see how he has become more confident and open to communication. For us, this section is not just football; it's an opportunity for the child to feel like an important part of a team," shared one parent participant Oleksandr P.

"Inclusive sports are an investment in society's future. We support such initiatives as they foster tolerance, mutual respect, and equal opportunities for all children. This section is a great example of how sports can unite people. The inclusive football section is more than just training; it's where children learn to be part of a team, overcome challenges, and celebrate shared achievements. It's here that the generation is being formed that values diversity and knows how to support one another," stated the project coordinator from the regional association Oleksandr Plakhov.

Main goals of the UAF project: 

— to improve the psychoemotional and physical state of children with disabilities and special educational needs through their involvement in the project's physical activities and socialization; 

— to change society's attitude towards people with disabilities and children with special educational needs for the better; 

— to provide access to inclusive sports activities; 

— to reveal children's potential; 

— to unite children and adults regardless of physical or mental development characteristics; 

— to provide motivation for mass football for all children regardless of abilities, gender, and social issues.

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