NEWS

All-Ukrainian school leagues “shoulder to shoulder” are no longer just competitions. This is a real national movement that unites tens of thousands of students under the slogan “Together we will win”. The project initiated by the president of Ukraine has become one of the largest student sports forums in Europe. In the 2025/2026 season, the leagues cover 12 sports, among which mass football occupies a special place – instead of Futsal, as it was before. The competition lasts 10 months and is held in five stages: from the school to the All-Ukrainian final. The goal is the same-to bring children back to the stadiums, teach them to love movement, work as a team and overcome difficulties side by side.

For the American International School and AISU University (Kiev, Poznyaki and Khodosovka), participation in “side by side” is already a tradition. Our boys (and sometimes girls in mixed categories) regularly represent the school at different stages. This time, the team entered the field without a final victory, but with a huge amount of experience, a deeper understanding of team interaction and a clear plan for what to work on next. And this is the most valuable thing.

Why is football one of the best contributions to a child’s health?

Modern children spend an average of 7-9 hours a day at screens. Physical inactivity, excess weight, posture problems, anxiety – all this is no longer an exception, but a trend. Football becomes a real “medicine” without side effects.

Physical development during one game, the child runs 6-10 km (depending on age), makes hundreds of accelerations, jumps, and changes of direction. All muscle groups work: legs, body, shoulders, even neck. Regular football classes:

• Increase the endurance of the cardiovascular system,
• Strengthen bones and joints,
• Improve coordination and reaction speed,
• Normalize weight (according to Ukrainian Studies, children aged 8-10 who play football have a 15-20% higher level of physical development than their peers who do not play sports),
• Strengthen the immune system-children who regularly play football in the fresh air are less likely to suffer from acute respiratory viral infections.

Mental health and emotional intelligence football is a constant game with emotions. I missed a goal-I need to recover quickly. Scoring is a joy, but you can’t relax. The coach shouts – You need to listen. The team loses-you need to support each other. Studies show that regular team games reduce the level of anxiety in adolescents by 25-30 %, increase self-esteem and the ability to manage emotions. The child learns to lose with dignity and win without arrogance.

Social skills and team interaction there is no “I” on the field – there is only “we”. One inaccurate pass and the whole attack is disrupted. One timely pass and the team scores. Children learn to trust, support, and take responsibility. In schools where there are football sections, the level of bullying is much lower – the sport unites, not divides.

Cognitive development fast decision – making, predicting the opponent’s actions, memory for combinations, concentration of attention – all this is trained during a match better than with any simulator. Many successful entrepreneurs, managers, and even IT professionals played soccer as children precisely because this game develops strategic thinking.

How AISU creates conditions for comprehensive development through sport

At AISU, sports are not an elective, but part of the school’s philosophy. Modern football fields (both in Poznyaki and Khodosovka), an ozonated water pool, sports halls, professional coaches with experience in academies and national teams. Physical education classes are often held with elements of football, basketball, and athletics. The school regularly organizes domestic tournaments, summer football camps, and trips to professional team matches.

Parents often say: “after a child started playing football at AISU, they became more disciplined, more confident, and easier to find a common language with their peers.” These are not just words – they are the result of systematic work.

This time-without a cup, but with a lot of experience

Our match at one of the stages” side by side ” was bright. The first half is an even game, fast transitions, and several dangerous moments at both goals. The second half-the opponent increased our speed, we were tired, we conceded two goals. But even in these minutes, the team did not crumble. The captain shouted, ” stick together!”the goalkeeper saved in almost impossible situations, the defenders worked until the last second.

After the final whistle-hugs, tears in someone’s eyes, but also smiles. The coach said:”We lost the match today, but we won in character.” And it’s true.

Returning to school, the children already analyzed errors:

• “We need to move better without the ball”,
• “Work more on long-range shots”,
• “Learn the standard positions of opponents”.

They came back more motivated, stronger, and with a clear understanding of what to work on in training.

AISU is proud of its team!

Each player is part of a large AISU family. You represented not only yourself, but also the school, its values, its spirit. You have shown that even without a victory, you can leave the field victorious – victorious over laziness, over the fear of defeat, over your own weaknesses.

Thank you guys for every drop of sweat, for every show, for every “Come on, hold on!». There are new training sessions ahead, new matches, new stages “side by side” and, we are sure, new victories.

Because football is not just about goals. It’s about health, character, friendship, and the fact that we’re really stronger together.

Why sport is health?

Scientific facts, examples from life and why it is especially important for children in Ukraine in 2026

In the modern world, where children spend an average of more than 6-8 hours a day on gadgets, and every fifth Ukrainian child aged 6-8 is already overweight or obese (who COSI data 2024-2025), the question “Why is sports health?”it doesn’t sound like a banal phrase, but like a question of survival. Regular physical activity is one of the few free, natural and proven ways to radically improve the quality of life, extend its duration and reduce the risk of dozens of diseases.

According to the recommendations of WHO and the Ministry of health of Ukraine, children aged 5-17 years should receive at least 60 minutes of moderate or high physical activity daily. Aerobic exercise (running, soccer, swimming, cycling) makes the heart a stronger muscle: it pumps more blood in one beat, the pulse rate decreases at rest, and the arteries become more elastic.

Research shows:

• Regular exercise reduces the risk of hypertension in adulthood by 30-50%,
• Children who are engaged in Team Sports (Football, Basketball, Volleyball) have 15-25% higher cardiorespiratory endurance than their peers without sports,
• Already 20-30 minutes of daily activity significantly improve the condition of blood vessels (data from the Center for public health of Ukraine, 2025).

Example: a 10-year-old boy who plays soccer three times a week at AISU school or in a section has a resting heart rate of 68-72 beats/min instead of the typical 80-85 in sedentary peers. This means that his heart works more efficiently and wears out less.

The peak of bone mass is formed by 18-20 years. If a child does not get enough resistance loads in childhood and adolescence (jumping, running, hitting the ball, exercising with their own weight), the bones remain weaker for life. This is a direct route to osteoporosis after the age of 50.

Team sports, especially football, are an ideal “building material”:

• Jumps, sudden changes in direction, punches-all this encourages the bones to become denser,
• 2014-2024 Studies (Journal of Bone and Mineral Research) show that children who play soccer or gymnastics have 10-20% higher bone density,
• The muscles of the legs, back, and ABS develop harmoniously – posture improves, and the risk of scoliosis decreases.

In Ukraine, where more than 30% of schoolchildren have postural disorders, regular football or other active games are one of the most effective ways of prevention.

Children who regularly exercise in the fresh air are 20-40% less likely to suffer from acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections (data from numerous studies, in particular Ukrainian pediatric centers). Why?

• Blood circulation improves – immune cells reach “problem areas” faster,
• The level of cortisol (the stress hormone), which suppresses the immune system, is normalized,
• The lungs work more efficiently-better ventilation, less congestion.

Real example: after the season of school leagues “side by side”, many parents note that the child almost did not get sick in winter, although he used to catch a cold 6-8 times a year.

In Ukraine, every fifth child aged 6-8 years is overweight, and 9-10% is obese. Regular sports are the most powerful prevention tool.

• One hour of active football burns 400-700 kcal (depending on the intensity),
• Improves insulin sensitivity-reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes,
• The habit of moving is formed – in adulthood, a person is less likely to gain excess weight.

Studies show that children who engage in team sports have a 15-30% lower risk of obesity during adolescence and adulthood.

Over the past 5-7 years, science has finally proved that team sports have a more powerful effect on the brain than individual training.

• Participation in team games improves executive functions (planning, attention, self-control, flexibility of thinking) by 10-20% stronger than just running or gym (2024 study, JAMA Network Open),
• Reduces the level of anxiety and symptoms of depression by 20-35%,
• Self-esteem, social skills, and the ability to lose and win are improved.

Why command views? Because the child is learning:

• Make quick decisions under pressure,
• Read the actions of partners and rivals,
• Control emotions,
• Work for the overall result.

Ukraine 2026: war, stress, online learning-all this affects the mental health of children. Football, basketball, volleyball become not just entertainment, but a real therapy.

Children who regularly play sports:

• Less likely to fall into bad companies,
• Learn better (concentration and memory improve),
• In adulthood, they are more likely to lead a healthy lifestyle,
• Have a higher quality of life and life expectancy by 3-7 years (data from long-term cohort studies).

In 2026, when more than 57% of Ukrainians do not exercise regularly at all, and only 15-16% do it systematically (data from the Ministry of Youth Sports), It is important to understand a simple thing: physical activity is not a hobby, but a basic component of Health, along with food, sleep and clean air.

Especially for children. Every season of football, every hour in the section, every match “side by side” is an investment in:

• Strong Heart,
• Healthy bones,
• Strong immunity,
• Stable psyche,
• Harmonious brain development.

So when your child returns from training tired but happy, with dirty sneakers and burning eyes – know that this is not just a game. This is health that is built for years to come.

movement is life. And sports are a better, longer and happier life.

m. Kyiv, Drahomanova 1-B, AISU
p. Khodosivka, str. Feodosiya Pecherskyi, 55

Leave a request?