Plans are afoot to set up a futsal team in Mykolaiv: veterans have already started signing up

Plans are afoot to set up a para-football team in Mykolaiv. Photo: NikVesti

Mykolaiv is looking to set up a para-football team. Coach Andrii Zhovzherenko, a war veteran, has undergone training for this purpose and is recruiting players. He believes that such training will help amputees in the military not only to stay fit but also to relieve psychological stress. Civilians are also invited to join the team.

Andriy Zhovzherenko told NikVesti about this.

Andriy Zhovzherenko is currently the facilities manager at the Children's and Youth Sports School №3 stadium in Varvarivka, as well as a futsal coach. But before that, he played for FC «Sudnobudivnyk», «Evis», «Mykolaiv» and «Olimpia», and devoted 25 years of his life to coaching, particularly of children.

In 2024, he was seriously wounded in the Kherson region, resulting in the loss of his leg. However, he is now passionate about the idea of setting up a futsal team in Mykolaiv with the support of the Shakhtar Social Foundation. To this end, he has obtained a D-level diploma from the Ukrainian Football Association, i.e. a coaching licence.

«I went to Kyiv and trained with Shakhtar, with young lads under 30. I got to know the lads and watched how they work. I became very interested, as I had previously worked for 25 years as a youth coach — and not just with children — and had also worked in amateur football. This project is very interesting to me,» said Andrii Zhovzherenko.

Futsal coach Andrii Zhovzherenko. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training session. Photo: NikVesti

Andriy shared that the project is interesting in that it ensures that servicemen do not stagnate after being wounded, but continue to develop.

«The project is interesting in that it ensures our lads, who come here after rehabilitation and injury, don’t feel any sense of heaviness; it helps them to open up further, so they know that people are genuinely looking after them and taking an interest in them, and so they can continue to develop their physical abilities. So that they stay active. It serves both as rehabilitation and as a way to socialise with other lads who play,» noted the coach.

Veterans from Mykolaiv, Snihurivka and Prybuzke are now joining the training sessions. For now, three training sessions a week are planned: on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. But the number of sessions may be increased once the team has grown to 8–10 people.

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«I’ve been involved in sport all my life. I’d like the lads to have the chance to prove themselves not only on the Ukrainian stage, but also to make it onto the European stage,» added Andrii Zhovzherenko.

He explained that amputee football competitions are held in Ukraine in the top and first divisions. There is also interest in setting up a team in Mykolaiv.

«I spoke with representatives (of the amputee football team — note) as well as the director and the head coach. I met the head coach of the national team (of amputee football — note) in Zakarpattia. He is interested. He even said that we could take children aged 12 and over so that they too feel that they are being looked after,» said the coach.

He noted that the creation of a Mykolaiv amputee football team is supported by the city’s football association, as well as those of the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. The management of the Central City Stadium has also been accommodating: players were given a choice of training pitches with artificial turf at the city stadium, near «Zoria», in Peremoha Park and in Varvarivka. Andriy explained that they have settled on the last option for now, as Varvarivka has a ramp, comfortable changing rooms and hot water for showers. Training equipment is available.

«We have the kit, for now at least. I think we’ll continue working with «Shakhtar Stalevi». The management will meet us halfway: they’ll kit the lads out and provide them with boots. We’re not on our own, so we’ll get on with it. God willing, I’ll get the lads together, and in September, I think I’ll apply to join the Ukrainian league,» shared Andrii Zhovzherenko.

For now, amputee football training sessions are held at the stadium in Varvarivka. Photo: NikVesti

For now, amputee football training sessions are held at the stadium in Varvarivka. Photo: NikVesti

For now, amputee football training sessions are held at the stadium in Varvarivka. Photo: NikVesti

According to the Shakhtar website, the Shakhtar Stalevi team was formed in 2024. It comprises military personnel and civilians who have lost limbs in the war. The project helps amputees return to an active life and undergo rehabilitation through sport.

The «Shakhtar Stalevi» project helps with training and provides financial support, kit and football equipment for the team members.

«The project was created for veterans and others. Those who have lost limbs can prove themselves in this sport. There are many young men with disabilities now. They («Shakhtar», — note) decided to help so that they could take part in sport. There are lads who didn’t do any sport at all before the war. Even girls come to train,» said the coach.

Such training sessions help servicemen undergo psychological rehabilitation as well.

«It’s a bit like psychological (rehabilitation, — note), and a team sport, and afterwards they’ll simply be able to socialise. In other words, for them it’s simply a way to move on (from what they experienced in the war, — note) and prove themselves here. All those negative emotions they experienced at the front, they’ll be able to express them all here. That’s the most important thing,» said Andrii Zhovzherenko.

But, as Andriy noted, he is ready to work with children — both boys and girls — who have also suffered as a result of the war. For them, too, this will be a source of support.

Veteran Ihor has also taken an interest in amputee football training. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training. Photo: NikVesti

Ihor is another veteran who has joined the amputee football team. He served in the 425th Assault Regiment «Skelia». Last May, he was wounded and lost his leg as a result.

Ihor said that he now wants to fulfil his childhood dream of playing football, having previously devoted almost 10 years to training.

«I want to help «Shakhtar» win the Ukrainian championship. I want to give it a go. I used to play football, and I was good at it. These are my childhood dreams… I had a chance once, but I didn’t take it. Now I have this chance, so why not make the most of it? I think I’ll manage it,» the veteran shared.

He also believes that such training sessions help with the rehabilitation of veterans.

«You’re not on your own anymore. It’s a team now. Football was like a family to me. I know everyone, everyone knows me, we play. You know how everyone plays, you chat,» said Ihor.

Futsal training session. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training session. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training session. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training session. Photo: NikVesti

Futsal training session. Photo: NikVesti

Amputee football training. Photo: NikVesti

Read also the article by NikVesti on how veterans receive grants to start businesses and how military personnel and their families are being supported in Mykolaiv.