The State of Ukrainian Girl’s and Women’s Soccer

As the world watches, Ukraine and every aspect of life change minute by minute. The long-lasting impact of the pandemic and Russian invasion is unknown. So, what will be the effects on the Ukrainian government, family life, schooling, and the emotional well-being of its people?

However, many people turn to sport as a rallying cry or diversion from reality in times of crisis. In Ukraine, soccer may be its saving grace. Soccer has been the national sport in Ukraine for decades. In 1991, the Ukrainian Association of Football, the country’s national governing body, was created to replace the Soviet Football Federation of Ukraine.

Before the devastation in Ukraine, women’s soccer was growing in popularity. In 1992, the Ukraine Women’s National Football Team played its first international game against Moldova.

Steadily, the women’s national team has become competitive in international play. In 2022, the Ukrainian National Women’s Team won the Turkish Women’s Cup, their first title.

Luis Cortes, national team coach, has witnessed the upward trend for women’s soccer in Ukraine.

“We need to see young players in the team. They are our future. And we need to review them in the training process [and] understand their level. I liked their performance [during the Turkish Cup]. The young players, who played in the national team for the first time, did a great job.”

However, with the current climate, the state of girls’ soccer is blurry at best.

Tragedy in Ukraine

Within the past several years, Ukraine has been bombarded by tragedy. First, COVID-19 swept through the country. According to Reuters Covid-19 Global Tracker, the pandemic claimed 105,505 Ukrainian lives and infected 4,809,624. With a worldwide lockdown, every part of Ukrainian life came to a halt. Therefore, the impact on the youth, their schooling, physical activity, and sports participation was significant.

Now, Ukraine is in the throes of an even greater and horrifying tragedy. On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with the intent of overthrowing the government. The damage on the country and Ukrainian citizens is staggering:

• More than 800,000 refugees have fled Ukraine
• Thousands of Ukrainians are living in the street
• More than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians killed
• Infrastructure has suffered severe damage
• Housing and personal possessions have been destroyed
• Livelihoods will be lost
• Schools have been demolished
• Government rule hangs in the balance
• People are fighting for their country, their lives, and their families

Impact on Girls and Women’s Soccer

As damages pile up, the impact on girls’ and women’s soccer is incalculable.

The mass exodus of Ukrainian citizens will shrink the number of player involvement. Many players will quit the WU-19, WU-17, and WU-15 teams. Others may never learn the game. The shrinking number of youth players will lessen the pool of potential national team players.

Stadiums and fields have suffered extensive damage. Personal finances and funding for soccer will decrease. Qualifying for the World Cup has secondary, even if Ukraine can field a team.

Ukrainian professional soccer leagues may fold. The emotional damage and post-traumatic stress on generations of Ukraine will be wide-reaching. We may never know if a young person, who had the potential of being a future international superstar, will ever kick a ball.

One thing is for sure, we have witnessed the resolve and fighting spirit of a group of people. So, if that inner strength is any indication of the future of Ukrainian soccer, watch out, world.

Featured image via @uafwomen on Instagram

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