December 10–12 in Kyiv, the finals of the All-Ukrainian competition «Football Teacher of the Year»-2025 took place, organized by the Ukrainian Football Association and the Institute for Content Modernization of Education at Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science.

The competition is held for physical education teachers who inspire students to play football and lead a healthy lifestyle, implement modern teaching methods, organize sports and health activities in their communities.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The jury evaluated portfolios from nearly 200 registered participants from various regions of Ukraine based on criteria such as introducing football in regular and extracurricular activities; implementing innovative educational technologies, modern methods in teaching physical education; their own pedagogical and scientific developments, publications; participation and achievements in sports and health events (competitions at different levels, festivals, challenges, sporting holidays, etc.); applying an inclusive approach and promoting gender equality; leadership and activity in popularizing a healthy lifestyle on social networks. Additionally, the video lessons of participants with elements of football were evaluated separately.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The competition was opened at the House of Football by the General Secretary of the UAF, Igor Gryshchenko; Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Andriy Viterenko; and Director of the Institute for Content Modernization of Education at the Ministry of Education and Science, Yevgen Bazhenov. Notably, during the event, a cooperation agreement was signed between the ministry and the UAF regarding the implementation of educational programs and projects for school football in general secondary education institutions in Ukraine from 2026 to 2030.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Igor Gryshchenko noted, «With our All-Ukrainian competition «Football Teacher of the Year,» we want to draw attention to the main active figures in the process of developing school football—school physical education teachers, volunteers for mass football, specialists from postgraduate educational institutions and other organizations working with teachers in regions. I am confident that our joint work will bring many positive results for children's physical and emotional development and benefit schools. Most importantly, it will help children get through difficult times and support their faith in Ukraine’s victory.»

The draw was conducted by a legend of Ukrainian football, head coach of the national youth teams U-19 and U-20, Dmitro Mykhaylenko. The best physical education teachers from regions were invited to Kyiv for the final stage, along with specialists from postgraduate educational institutions and other organizations working with teachers.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The event included an exchange of leading experience—each participant presented their portfolio and professional achievements. The UAF showcased various directions and projects for developing school football. For example, within the framework of the UAF program «Football in Schools,» schools have already received 8,000 Adidas balls, a large amount of very necessary sports equipment and methodological materials. Notably, a new video guide on school football and a mobile application «Football for Schools» were presented. Also important was an overview of the qualification improvement programs for teachers working with the regular school module «Football,» which are approved by the ministry. These provide teachers with one credit according to the state system of professional development. Additionally, a new program for working with children with special educational needs was discussed, which is a very relevant issue.

During the event, other powerful mass football projects for schoolchildren were also presented («Open Football Festivals,» «Inclusive Football Sections,» UEFA Playmakers, «Football Holidays») as well as such areas as futsal for children and girls' football. Of course, the leading competitions in this direction, «School Ball,» were also considered, which saw about 3,000 teams (approximately 50,000 children) start in the season-2025/2026.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The practical part of the competition, the final football lessons, took place at the Kyiv Lyceum «Dominanta» (director—Svitlana Ufimtseva, physical education teacher—Maxim Balasy). After the competitive lessons for participants, a practical training session with modern methods was held by leading experts—Lianna Kopilova, Vitaliy Titarko, and Vladyslav Furman.

On the last day of the competition, the UAF honored the laureates and winners who received corresponding diplomas, valuable gifts, sports equipment, and inventory, as well as recognition from experts and motivation for further quality work. The UAF also thanked and presented gifts to the Lyceum «Dominanta.»

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The competition was summed up by a member of the UEFA Committee, member of the UEFA Commission for Mass Football, Oleksandr Kadynko; Director of the Institute for Content Modernization of Education at the Ministry of Education and Science, Yevgen Bazhenov; and Director of the Agency for Mass Sports in Ukraine, Andriy Rebrina.

The laureates of the competition are (in alphabetical order):

Babiienko Andrii, Mykolaiv region, village Migia, lyceum;

Harasym Mariya, Ivano-Frankivsk region, city Dolyna, Lyceum No. 6 «European»;

Kovalenko Viacheslav, Kharkiv region, city Dergachi, lyceum No. 3;

Kovalkyv Vitaliy, Ternopil region, city Shumsk, OZZSO;

Khukarenko Maxim, Chernihiv city, gymnasium No. 11;

Makarenko Hanna, Kharkiv city, lyceum No. 93;

Niga Mykola, Chernivtsi city, gymnasium No. 15;

Prokipchuk Yaroslav, Kyiv city, lyceum No. 309;

Savko Igor, Mykolaiv city, gymnasium No. 31;

Yablonyko Yevhen, Kyiv city, lyceum No. 30 «ECONAD».

According to the evaluation of the All-Ukrainian jury, Maxim Tkach (Mykolaiv city, gymnasium No. 36) became a finalist of the competition.

The third place was taken by Sergiy Filonenko (Zaporizhzhia city, school-boarding house «Cossack Lyceum»).

Silver medalist of the competition is Oleksii Chypko (Zaporizhzhia city, gymnasium No. 33).

The Football Teacher of the Year-2025 was awarded to Volodymyr Dudaryk (Kyiv region, Bila Tserkva city, Bilotsersky Hetman Lyceum-Gymnasium).