“Football in Schools” programme named as one of the best UEFA Grassroots Awards Best Education Initiatives

“Football in Schools” educational programme received second place of the best UEFA Grassroots Awards 2023/24 Best Education Initiatives. 
 

The aim of the FFA “Football in Schools” educational programme is to give a chance to every child to play and enjoy the game. Therefore, it is very important to have upgraded methods and ways of teaching a game of football.

Programme overview:

• PE teachers participate in the FFA Grassroots Leader’s Course/D license,
• Schools receive football equipment and inventory,
• PE teachers deliver football exercises, small-sided games during the PE lessons,
• PE teachers create teams that participate in school championships.

The direct beneficiaries include schoolchildren of Armenia, schools, and PE teachers. The indirect beneficiaries of the project include grassroots teams/clubs, parents, leaders, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters.
 

The “Football in Schools" suggests initiatives which promote innovation and fair play, inclusivity and “Football for all” concept. The educational component of this programme consists of 2 parts:

a) educational seminars for PE teachers and grassroots coaches

b) implementation of football lessons/trainings/activities in schools.

During the years of this programme, we have managed the following achievements:

1. Grassroots Leader’s course/D license for PE teachers and grassroots trainers has already involved 635 PE teachers (118 of them are women) from all regions of Armenia.
2. The educational programme has already reached 526 public schools of Armenia. 
3. 3000 footballs and other football equipment as bibs, cones and discs have been delivered to the participating schools.
4. 2000-3000 playing kit is delivered to the participating teams yearly.
5. Qualified and skilled educators and the working team is involved.
6. Increased interest to football as a team-oriented and healthy lifestyle sport.
7. The enhancement of local communities and their aspiration to build a better environment for football.
8. More than 90 mini pitches built by FFA mostly near public schools.