Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship unites 211 countries and regions of the world. The programme invites coaches to complete a new online course of the International Football for Friendship Coaches Academy.

The International Football for Friendship Coaches Academy is a free online educational platform for which were created modules of practical exercises aimed at improving the qualifications of coaches of children’s teams and football classes all around the world. The course is based on the successful experience of work with the international children’s teams during various seasons of Football for Friendship. Its goal is to help coaches teach their students the psychology of training and communication with children of different cultures, races, nationalities, and physical abilities.

In total, over the period of the International Football for Friendship Academy’s existence, over 4 000 coaches have completed their education. The course was developed by the heads of the teaching process and coaches of the FC Barcelona Academy, experts of the FIFA and UEFA humanitarian programmes, representatives of Football Union of Russia (FUR), the Brazil national team, FC Delhi Dynamos, FC Zenit, FC Schalke 04, and football federations of different countries.

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The new online course offers theory, practical exercises, recommendations on organizing the training process that encourages the principles of fair play, fairness, equality, that form the basis of the Football for Friendship programme. The educational course is free and available in 10 languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Russia, Spanish, Turkish.

“It’s very important for a football team coach to gain the trust of young players, to prove that they are themself committed to those human and sporting values that they are trying to convey. The International Football for Friendship Academy is a unique educational platform for coaches around the world: the methodology teaches the training processes, as well as the main principles of interaction with young athletes, and explains what qualities and values should be instilled in young athletes so that they can grow into adult professionals of an international level. I have no doubt that the Academy’s work will have a huge positive effect, both for the coaches and for the players,” notes Real Madrid and Brazil Legend, World Cup winner and 3 times UEFA Champions League Winner, Global Ambassador of Football for Friendship, Roberto Carlos.

The International Football for Friendship Academy is part of the new Digital Platform footballforfriendship.com, which has become the main venue for the programme’s events this year. It provides access to broadcasts, International Children’s Press Center materials, player ratings and championship tables, the schedule of the International Forum and the presentations of projects on the development of children’s football.

About the programme

The International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship is implemented by Gazprom since 2013. Over the previous seven seasons, the programme has united over 6 000 participants from 211 countries and regions and over 5 000 000 supporters.

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Young Players and Young Journalists are the participants of the programme – boys and girls aged 12 including children with disabilities. Young Players represent different countries and cultures united in the mixed teams. They show that nationality, gender, and physical abilities aren’t a barrier to becoming a team. Young Journalists cover the events of the programme in the International Children’s Press Center. All participants become Young Ambassadors of the programme and continue to share their Football for Friendship experience and promote universal human values: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions, and honour.

UEFA, FIFA, football federations and the world’s leading football clubs, international charity foundations, famous athletes, politicians, and artists support Football for Friendship. The project has received multiple national and international awards in the field of social responsibility, sports, and communications, including the world record for the most nationalities in a football training session in history.

In 2020, Football for Friendship will be held in the online format. A special digital platform will unite over 10 000 players of all ages. It will become the home for international children’s competitions and a playground where anyone will be able to train, join into the international mixed teams and play their favourite game in the Football for Friendship format without leaving the comfort of their home.