The UEFA Playmakers project cycle has been completed, which is implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association and Lviv Football Association in one of two centers on Lviv Oblast — in Busky, where coaches Ivan Tomkiv and Inna Buie work with girls at the local DYSH.

Ivan Tomkiv shared his impressions from the project sections: "In our opinion, UEFA Playmakers, aimed at attracting girls to football — is one of the best ways to spark their love for the game. Because through gameplay scenarios based on Disney cartoons, girls are more interested in performing and repeating various football elements, both with a ball and without it. They become stronger, more creative, and healthier.

Photo LAF

Training exercises and scenarios created based on the storyline of the last cartoon offered to girls, 'Encanto,' promote the development in them of imaginative expressions, witty and playful techniques to achieve goals set both in individual situations and throughout the session.

The three sisters, Milan, Dominika, and Yan O., come to training with great pleasure. Their mother has already included for them to watch 'Encanto' before classes, and they very well imagine various scenes from the cartoon when learning the lesson plan with their coach.

Photo LAF

Yana often plays the role of Luisa, the heroine of the cartoon, because she is fascinated by her great strength and that no one can break her. Therefore, Yana works hard at training but is also sensitive and kind.

Dominika inherits the traits of the main heroine of the Madrigals — Mirabel, diligently performs task conditions and constantly shows kindness to her classmates during classes.

Photo LAF

The eldest, Milan, cannot believe that her younger sisters are doing better and better with each new training session, and the ball listens to them almost as much as she does. But at the same time, she is very happy that the girls love playing together with her after training, repeating various elements from the lesson.

Photo LAF

The goals of the UEFA Playmakers project implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association:

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