The Ukrainian Football Association informs about the start of work of the newly established Mass Football Committee — one of the largest consultative bodies within the association in terms of membership.

Its composition includes heads of structural subunits of the UAF, representatives of regional associations, experts, managers of football projects, and specialists in the development of youth, amateur, corporate, and inclusive football.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Such a format of work is determined by the scale of tasks that mass football encompasses, — from youth and school programs to amateur, veteran, and corporate segments. A comprehensive approach involves bringing in experts from various fields — education, regional management, competition organization, analytics, demography, and methodological support.

Within the committee's work, key areas of activity are defined, namely: shaping the policy for the development of mass football, digitalization of processes, and creation of a single ecosystem, participation in the reforming of competition systems, coordination with regions, as well as the development of educational, methodological, and infrastructural tools.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The committee will pay particular attention to the analytical component. Director of the Department of Football Development at UAF, Bogdan Gorodnyk, presented approaches to competition accreditation, standards for interaction with regional associations, and a model of club certification. Committee member Pavlo Pryon presented the results of the first large-scale audit of mass football in Ukraine, which covers infrastructure, number of participants, regional activity levels, and population engagement rates. These data will form the basis for the Strategy of Mass Football Development 2026-2030.

Photo: Dan Balashov

In the context of long-term planning, there is an analysis of demographic challenges affecting the sports system, including a decrease in youth population and an increase in adult and amateur football. Particular emphasis is placed on the social component of mass football and the need for intersectoral cooperation.

Within the committee's work, current projects of UAF in the field of mass football are presented, including UEFA Playmakers programs, "Open Football Festivals," "Inclusive Football Sections," and the national program "Football in Schools."

Photo: Dan Balashov

The concept of the Strategy for Mass Football Development 2026-2030 includes seven priority areas: youth and junior, school, student, civic, corporate, veteran, as well as women's and girls' football. For each of them, plans are to develop separate standards, calendars, and digital tools.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Among the first practical steps of the committee is the formation of a nationwide calendar for mass football events, preparation of an annual work plan for 2026, and coordination of competition calendars between regions and central UAF organs.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Composition of the Mass Football Committee UAF:

Dedishyn Igor Mykhailovych;

Kadenko Oleksandr Valentinovich;

Andriienko Oleg Viktorovich;

Balbek Olha Oleksandrivna;

Vasylenko Volodymyr Volodymyrovych;

Volodimirova Oleksandra Timurivna;

Davydov Denis Mykhailovych;

Derzhynko Yaroslav Sergiyovich; 

Dovhopolyuk Mykola Olehovych;

Donchuk Yevhen Volodymyrovych;

Zagoryuk Sergiy Valentinovich;

Kaban Yevgeni Yehezkelovich;

Kolesnyk Roman Petrovych;

Lukashuk Artem Borisovych;

Mikhalyk Taras Volodymyrovych;

Noskov Volodymyr Anatolyevich;

Pelikh Oleksandr Oleksandrovych;

Prony Pavlo Andriyovych;

Seliznyov Yevhen Oleksandrovych;

Seredich Mykola Romanovich;

Sorokin Oleksandr Anatolyevich;

Sonin Volodymyr Volodymyrovych;

Sos Yurii Georgiyovych;

Stetsuk Svyatoslav Volodymyrovych;

Stolytenko Yevhen Volodymyrovych;

Shchur Dmytro Oleksiyovych;

Chepa Stanislav Sergiyovych;

Shovkovskyi Volodymyr Oleksandrovych;

Yamborko Ihor Oleksandrovych.