The regular football section within the project of the Ukrainian Football Association and the Volyn Football Association «Open Football Festivals» in Lviv combined three components — promoting a healthy lifestyle, emotional relief for children through play, and safety knowledge in wartime.

Classes take place twice a week under the guidance of volunteer coach Andriy Tuchkevych, who has extensive experience working with children and holds the appropriate coaching category. Twenty-five boys and girls attend these training sessions with great pleasure.

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The section leader emphasizes: «Children's football is a beneficial physical activity for growing bodies, providing a significant positive impact on the child. Muscle tissue and bones will strengthen. Training help develop various muscle groups, ensuring comprehensive stress on the entire body, which remains in excellent tone. Football is a team sport, so teamwork skills are developed, planning skills are formed, responsibility for one's actions is cultivated, character and leadership qualities are fostered. Through communication in the team, social skills, perseverance, and willpower develop.»

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Iryna, mother of team captain Artem R., shared her impressions of the impact of football training on children: «Children's football is true sports magic because it gives kids the chance to show strength, agility, and determination for victory; fosters teamwork, mutual support, and genuine friendship; inspires a new generation of athletes to great achievements; charges with incredible emotions, drive, and desire for victory, as well as breaks stereotypes and proves that this is a game without limits. Additionally, through participation in competitions, children have the opportunity to visit different cities in Ukraine, get acquainted with cultural landmarks, play on beautiful sports fields, and receive lots of positive.»

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Parents are grateful to coach Andriy Tuchkevych for his parental care and professional approach to training, supporting him in every way. Our coach motivates his young wards to participate in competitions and meaningful excursions each month.

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Children and parents express gratitude to the Ukrainian Football Association for involving young football players in the «Open Football Festivals» project, especially now when training helps children distance themselves from the hardships of wartime and improve their stress resilience. Also, thanks are given by the children and coach for providing sports equipment that facilitates meaningful and rich training sessions.»

The Ukrainian Football Association's «Open Football Festivals» project is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship among IDP children and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• the philosophy of mass football — joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• promoting a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activating local communities through intersectoral networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, benefactors, etc.).