In Kirovohrad Oblast, the UEFA Playmakers project continues to be implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association and the Kirovohrad Regional Football Association.

The next training phase has been completed, supervised by coaches Oleksiy Kovalevko, Anzhela Gorodetska, Yuliia Zhuravlova, and football volunteers Karina Shevchenko, Yevheniya Sivach, and Angelina Aulina.

Trainings are conducted on two sports facilities of educational institutions — on the field of the "Victoria-P" lyceum in warm weather and in the gymnasium of the "Scientific" lyceum in cold weather.

Photo KOF

"Thanks to ZSU, we can implement such a wonderful football project and involve girls in interesting trainings with football, using an unconventional and very interesting aspect — the magical world of Disney films. This training where girls become heroes of their favorite cartoons and start getting acquainted with the basics of football by playing games. Thus, we continue to develop mass girl's football in Kropyvnytskyi," — noted coach Oleksiy Kovalevko.

Viktor Bezsmertnyi, first deputy head of the Kirovohrad Regional Football Association, said: "The regional football association immediately responded to the proposal from UAF to initiate this project. We have talented and ambitious coaches working in this direction and implementing many different sports and social projects."

Photo KOF

Our football and futsal coach Anzhela Gorodetska is actively working and developing, continuing to train the "Spartak" girls' team. And in general, girl's football on Kirovohrad Oblast is developing despite difficult times. This is confirmed by an increase in the number of girls participating in the regional championship among youth teams in various age categories. Moreover, this year competitions were held among girls' teams in two age categories, with four teams from districts and the city center taking part.

Anzhela Gorodetska herself notes: "After finishing my playing career in the women's football club 'Bagaire', I did not leave sports. I wanted to develop further. Thanks to the UEFA Playmakers project, I got the opportunity to try myself as a coach — and fell in love with this profession. For easier assimilation of football skills, we use game methods on training sessions using Disney cartoon plots. And this helps girls quickly absorb information and acquire new skills. Plus it's very fun."

Photo KOF

"At this time, our children need support. Such projects give them the opportunity to distract themselves, focus on what they like, find it interesting, and enjoy it. And also — help develop football skills and make new friends. That's why we thank UAF and UEFA for this project, for giving our children the chance to play their favorite football in comfortable conditions with high-quality equipment. We hope there will be more of them!" — emphasized Oleksandr T., father of one of the participants in the project, a combat participant.

Objectives of the UEFA Playmakers program implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association:

• inform girls about football, creating an environment focused on fun, friends, and football;
• introduce a new individual coaching approach that uses imagination (inspired by Disney stories and characters) as a tool for training and acquiring game skills;
• improve life skills of girls, basic movement skills, and teach the basics of football to foster lifelong interest in the sport.