On Tuesday, December 11, the House of football hosted a four-day seminar «Perspectives of development of school football» featuring specialists from FFU, Ministry of education and science and Ministry for family, youth and sports. The seminar commenced with the speeches of FFU president Grigoriy Surkis and representatives from participating ministries.

Pyramid fundament

«Nowadays, mass school football tends to come as one of priority trends of activity not only in Ukraine, but in Europe as well, and it is regarded by UEFA as a pyramid fundament: mass football − elite youth football − professional football, - FFU president Grigoriy Surkis stressed upon. − Well, this branch contains many problems, primarily connected with the economy of the country, however it is worth noting certain achievements in this trend of work.»

Five stars for Ukraine

«At the beginning of the year Ukraine was the first among European countries to join the Charter of mass football, - FFU president reminded. − After that European Football Union introduced a so-called «system of stars» − it is a set of criteria defining the level of development of mass football in European federations, and respectively their opportunities. And virtually at the end last week UEFA informed and greeted FFU with granting Ukraine five stars that is the highest rating. This decision is to be finally approved by UEFA Executive committee, and I have got no doubts concerning this decision. First of all, this is the mark of continuous perseverant work of Ukrainian specialists, a great every-day work which UEFA regards as «Ukrainian miracle».

Three main elements

Grigoriy Surkis stressed upon the powerful influence mass school football produces on formation of healthy life mode among students. «Today we put considerable efforts meant for creating a stable system of education in child-youth football. Mass football stands out as one of its main elements − this includes a lesson of football at schools, ‘Leather ball’ competition between boys and girls of 10-13 years old, regional tournaments for boys of 14-17 y.o. Child-youth football league (14-17 years) refers to so-called «elite» youth football aimed at supplying national teams with highly-qualified performers.»

Joy for kids

However, FFU and its partners from government work not only at the above listed trends. Mass competitions among countryside students tend to gain more popularity. Today, about 30 thousand countryside school teams participate in football festival ‘Let’s bring joy to kids!’ − this makes 400.000 entries. In 2004 Ukrainian federation launched ‘Our future’ program of building pitches with artificial cover. In one year 400 pitches were established throughout Ukraine; the first one was opened by the then UEFA president Lennart Johansson. In 2005-2007 thanks to FFU initiatives 400 pitches more were built for budget funds.   

500 000 balls more
Starting from 2001 and till 2005 800 000 balls were given to schools by Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU). «In spite of it there is still a big deficit of balls, − Grigoriy Surkis mentioned. − That’s why FFU decided to give 500 000 balls more during next several years and it will start this program from the very beginning of the next year. We hope that it will be a strong impulse for further development of school football».

Re-qualification of teachers

Besides material supporting a very important thing is re-qualification of PT teachers in order to increase the quality of football lessons at schools. FFU specialists worked out an appropriate educational program of courses which was confirmed by the Ministry of education. Re-qualification is also being accomplished on the regional seminars on football lessons which are held by the regional structures of the Ministry of Education. Starting from 2001 over 26 000 teachers have finished such courses.

Unsettled problems

«But I accentuate that we realize how many difficulties there are in the face of FFU in developing of school football, − FFU leader went on. − First of all it is the salary of school teachers and bad conditions for training at schools. There is a very little number of football stadiums and playgrounds. In the question of re-qualification of teachers regional federations should be more active and supply regional institutes with qualitative teachers who are specialists in football».

Mass and quality

On the whole the Minister for family, youth and sport deputy Viktor Khrystoev and the head of Physical Training Committee of the Ministry of education and science of Ukraine Vyacheslav Gamov paid attention to the problem moments. «As for me our main problem is a low methodic-training level of the specialists who work with the children, − Gamov mentioned. − Also the representatives of local authorities should pay more attention to educational-sport work. In this case the quality of preparing of young players will add to the mass».

Common plan of work