Exploring the social impact of football will be one of the achievements of the UEFA GROW pilot project

20.11.2019 14:23

Photo of UAF press service

The Ukrainian Football Association, with the support of UEFA, will conduct a study on the positive impact of grassroots football on society, in particular in areas such as health care, crime prevention and job creation, and the development of a comfortable football infrastructure. The study is part of a UEFA pilot project GROW.

For the first time, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy became a scientific partner of the UAF in the implementation of this initiative. The relevant memorandum of cooperation was signed by the President of the University, Professor Andriy Meleshevych, and the Secretary General of the UAF Yuriy Zapisotsky. The study will be based on data obtained during the implementation of sustainable football development programs in the regions, developed under the GROW project, which will last during 2019-2021 in three pilot regions - Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kyiv.

Photo of UAF press service

Expert support of the UAF will be provided by the World Health Organization in Ukraine, as agreed during the meeting by the Head of the Office Dr. Jarno Habicht, UEFA Representative for the GROW Project in Ukraine Liam McGroerty, UAF Secretary General Yuri Zapisotsky and the UEFA GROW Project Team in the UAF. The World Health Organization is a partner of UEFA in conducting similar studies in a number of European countries, including Scotland, Romania and Belarus.

"Football has long been something much more than just a sport, it is a full-fledged social phenomenon that has an impact on a huge number of people, and it is important that all the positive aspects of this impact are used to the maximum for our common good. To do this, it is necessary to know exactly the current situation and correctly identify further key areas of development, "said Yuri Zapisotsky.

Photo of UAF press service

The study is conducted using the method of assessing the social return on investment (Social return on investment, SROI). Nine leading European universities have joined UEFA in developing a methodology for studying the impact of football on society. It is based on the study and calculation of the social value of investment, which can be generated by investing in the development of football.

The main industries in which this approach is highly effective are the economy - through the construction of sports infrastructure, job creation and raising funds for football; health care - due to significant prevention of diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle (among them - cardiovascular disease, increased trauma, various types of diabetes, mental disorders, etc.); positive development of society due to the involvement of young people in active football instead of the formation of risky behavior.

At the same time, the greatest involvement of children and young people in regular football activities has had a significant impact on the increase in the number of talented players who improve the country's success in professional international competitions. Thus, it is proved that the socio-economic impact of the mass distribution of football is combined with the sport component, having an overall positive and synergistic effect.

Photo of UAF press service

According to the results of the Ukrainian UEFA GROW pilot, it will be possible to have the results of a similar study in our country.

The UEFA GROW pilot project is dedicated to the sustainable development of grassroots football with an emphasis on maximizing involvement in regular training on the principle of "football for all". Based on the results of the project, an optimal model of sustainable development of grassroots football in Ukraine among the broadest groups of the population will be developed.