Phoenix Football Academy brings a team with Ukrainian boys

Phoenix Football Academy will bring a B12 team with Ukrainian boys to Gothia Cup this summer. Their trip to Gothenburg is also sponsored by Football for Ukraine, the foundation of the football legend Andriy Shevchenko and the Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The whole idea of bringing a team with Ukrainian boys to Sweden started within Phoenix Football Academy during Gothia Cup last summer.

– We were discussing the Ukraine problems. A boy joined our academy in Sunningdale in May 2022. He spoke no English and he was trying to settle into the country. We gave him a complimentary membership and he joined a new school and learnt English very quickly and he now plays for his school and loves football, says Ady Milne, director for Phoenix Football Academy.
The academy then discussed what they could do more in 2023.
– I spoke with several local businesses and then also with Andriy Shevchenko, as I coach his son at school, and he said Football for Ukraine were keen to be involved, he says.

Football for Ukraine is headed by Andriy Shevchenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko and along with Integrity Project Solutions Ltd and another local sponsor, Phoenix Football Academy raised the money to take eleven boys and their two coaches to Gothia Cup 2023.
– The boys are all from different parts of Ukraine, primarily Kiev. We have even changed our club colours for them to kit them out in Ukraine colours, says Ady Milne.

The team will stay at Gothia Towers with their other teams and participate in the non-competitive B12 category, so they will be guaranteed lots of football.
– They will be chaperoned on a British Airways flight by our B16 and B17 squads, go karting, minigolf, lazerdome and have lots more fun at Liseberg during the week and be eating in local restaurants as a squad to give them a truly professional and fantastic experience after what has been a very tough year. Our week ends with a Presentation Night at Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday 22nd July when they will all receive medals, says the director. 

Andriy Shevchenko is very happy about the fact that the Ukrainan boys get to experience Gothia Cup next week.
– Thanks to Phoenix Football Academy and the other sponsors who donated to allow these kids to play in Gothia Cup, which is such an amazing tournament. Football for Ukraine, along with “Alex” Zinchenko, feel this is our contribution to give these boys some fun and the chance to play football and enjoy it.

Warm welcome to Gothenburg!