Match between the Come On, Let’s Play! team and Shakhtar Academy players
Friday, May 29, 2026
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Children from five regions of Ukraine, participants in the Come On, Let’s Play! project, travelled to Shchaslyve and competed against Shakhtar U12
On May 29, a match between the Come On, Let’s Play! project team, implemented by Shakhtar Social with the support of the general partner DTEK, and Shakhtar U12 took place in Shchaslyve.
During preparation for the match, the visitors held a training session at the FC Shakhtar Academy facility attended by Valerii Rudakov, while the Come On, Let’s Play! team was supported by Andrii Piatov during the game.
During preparation for the match, the visitors held a training session at the FC Shakhtar Academy facility attended by Valerii Rudakov, while the Come On, Let’s Play! team was supported by Andrii Piatov during the game.
The Come On, Let’s Play! social project has been running for a long time. I have also been involved in it and I’m pleased to have been present at this event. The boys had the chance to play against footballers who are already in the Academy and to show themselves and play under the observation of coaches
Andrii Piatov, FC Shakhtar goalkeeping coach:
– The Come On, Let’s Play! social project has been running for a long time. I have also been involved in it and I’m pleased to have been present at this event. The boys had the chance to play against footballers who are already in the Academy and to show themselves and play under the observation of coaches. I have four children and I understand how important it is for them to be protected, loved and given a chance in life.
The Come On, Let’s Play! team included 18 children from 13 locations across Ukraine where the project’s training grounds operate. In Shchaslyve, the young athletes came from the Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions.
Mark Chernenko, Come On, Let’s Play! participant, Dobrotvir:
– I really enjoyed the event. I received a high workload and met many people. I like playing as a forward because I love scoring and being the best. The event gave me extra motivation to keep working. Come On, Let’s Play! is a great project!
During the match, the Shakhtar Academy scouts observed the young footballers. For the participants, this is an opportunity to show themselves, gain new match experience and feel a real competitive atmosphere.
Oleksandr Aleksieiev, Deputy Director of the Youth Football Department:
– This is a highly significant match and event as FC Shakhtar’s social role is substantial and the Academy supports such initiatives. It is important to look at talented boys involved in the Come On, Let’s Play! project. We also have had similar positive experience, giving them the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of a professional match. Such events are essential for children, their health and the development of a grassroots football culture, where Shakhtar is a leading club in terms of supporting social initiatives.
– The Come On, Let’s Play! social project has been running for a long time. I have also been involved in it and I’m pleased to have been present at this event. The boys had the chance to play against footballers who are already in the Academy and to show themselves and play under the observation of coaches. I have four children and I understand how important it is for them to be protected, loved and given a chance in life.
The Come On, Let’s Play! team included 18 children from 13 locations across Ukraine where the project’s training grounds operate. In Shchaslyve, the young athletes came from the Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions.
Mark Chernenko, Come On, Let’s Play! participant, Dobrotvir:
– I really enjoyed the event. I received a high workload and met many people. I like playing as a forward because I love scoring and being the best. The event gave me extra motivation to keep working. Come On, Let’s Play! is a great project!
During the match, the Shakhtar Academy scouts observed the young footballers. For the participants, this is an opportunity to show themselves, gain new match experience and feel a real competitive atmosphere.
Oleksandr Aleksieiev, Deputy Director of the Youth Football Department:
– This is a highly significant match and event as FC Shakhtar’s social role is substantial and the Academy supports such initiatives. It is important to look at talented boys involved in the Come On, Let’s Play! project. We also have had similar positive experience, giving them the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of a professional match. Such events are essential for children, their health and the development of a grassroots football culture, where Shakhtar is a leading club in terms of supporting social initiatives.
I’m confident this event and match will add to their motivation. In the context of the war, the Come On, Let’s Play! project gives children the opportunity to engage in their favourite activity and take their minds off the war
Volodymyr Nebeliuk, Come On, Let’s Play! coach, Mykulychyn:
– A great event! I would like such occasions to take place more often. The children played against the Academy players, gained invaluable experience that will help them in the future and also had the opportunity to explore the infrastructure. I’m confident this event and match will add to their motivation. In the context of the war, the Come On, Let’s Play! project gives children the opportunity to engage in their favourite activity and take their minds off the war.
The project is currently implemented in 27 communities across Ukraine. More than 1,000 boys and girls aged 7 to 12 regularly train, take part in tournaments and other sporting events.
The general partner of the project is DTEK.
– A great event! I would like such occasions to take place more often. The children played against the Academy players, gained invaluable experience that will help them in the future and also had the opportunity to explore the infrastructure. I’m confident this event and match will add to their motivation. In the context of the war, the Come On, Let’s Play! project gives children the opportunity to engage in their favourite activity and take their minds off the war.
The project is currently implemented in 27 communities across Ukraine. More than 1,000 boys and girls aged 7 to 12 regularly train, take part in tournaments and other sporting events.
The general partner of the project is DTEK.
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