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, in Ukraine, it is difficult for many children with disabilities and those with special educational needs to access sports. There is a noticeable shortage of qualified professionals in regions. This UAF project aims to change societal attitudes and help children realize their potential and improve their psychological 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 the form of play-based activities, integrates children with disabilities and those with special educational needs into children's groups, trains volunteers for further implementation of opportunities to conduct regular sessions with these children, creates inclusive football sections, and supports their continued stable development within communities.

After preliminary training in Kyiv, the coach of inclusive football sections and a specialist with extensive experience working with inclusive children, Maria Shalai, conducted classes 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 helped the children during the session contributed to overcoming difficulties in training.

Thanks to UAF, the section in Zboriv is equipped with children's football kits, 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 Shalai.

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

- Improve the psychological and physical well-being 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 in Ukraine;

- Provide access to inclusive sports activities;

- Unleash the potential of children;

- Bring together children and adults, regardless of physical or mental development characteristics;

- Motivate all children for mass football, regardless of abilities, gender, social issues;

- Activate local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

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