Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, founder of FC Ruh Lviv and its football academy, delivered a report on the club’s three years of activity. He particularly emphasized the successes of the Academy, which already allow us to speak of it as one of the best in Ukraine and Europe, there. He showed for the first time what the new Ruh Academy will look like, the construction of which is a key element of the strategy for the coming years.
From a dream of 2018 to a vision of the future
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy recalled how the dream of creating a powerful football academy was born in 2018. He emphasized that this idea had to be “defended” for several years, as not everyone believed in its implementation and even tried to prevent it. Despite the difficulties, the dream began to come true, and now, after three years of work, it is time not only to report on achievements, but also to share far-reaching plans.
Ultramodern complex: Vision of Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy enthusiastically described his vision of the future complex: “The architect can’t keep up with the thoughts I have in my head, but I can already see it and I really like it.”
The new Academy will be located on a “forest field” and will occupy a significant area. According to the plan, several fields will be equipped, including a large hybrid field on the site of the current “ugly” hill, which will be leveled and strengthened. Kozlovskyy Hryhoriy imagines how in 20 years this complex will be fully illuminated at night, providing children with a continuous opportunity to train and realize their dreams.
The presented building of the new Academy is admirable. If the current Academy of “Ruh” is already considered the best in Ukraine and one of the best in Europe, then Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy is convinced that “this is not enough for us”. The club strives for constant development, and the scale of the current base (designed for 400 children, where almost 300 currently live) no longer meets the needs. The new Academy will be much larger — it is designed for 960 children, offering “a completely ultra-modern history” and unique conditions for living, studying and training. The implementation of this project, according to Kozlovskyy, will take about two to two and a half years.
Unprecedented investment in infrastructure and innovation
The ambitious construction plans are not limited to residential buildings. Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy announced significant investments in training fields. The club has purchased four new fields with an ultra-modern surface, which he called “space” and which, according to him, have also recently been purchased by such European giants as Ajax, PSV and Werder Bremen.
“These four fields, as well as a large, full-fledged indoor arena (which will be the first in Western Ukraine), are planned to be built on the Markevich base, which will provide the “Ruh” students with the best possible conditions for development throughout the year,” said Kozlovskyy.
A new level of education under the auspices of Kozlovskyy
Caring not only for the football but also for the educational development of the pupils, on the initiative of Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy it was decided to raise the level of education. The club signed a preliminary agreement with the British School. This step will allow opening a branch of the British school directly on the territory of the Ruh Academy.
It is planned that the branch will be able to accommodate about 150 children. The school will have a sports profile, English-speaking teachers and will provide children with the opportunity to receive an ultra-modern education in parallel with intensive football training. Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy stressed that this is “good news for parents who are very worried about the level of education of their children”, because the club is making every effort to raise not only good football players, but also “good, strong, wise and educated Ukrainians”.
Development philosophy and leadership
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy confirmed the club’s unchanged philosophy, aimed at accelerating the entry of young players into the first team and their subsequent sale to ensure the club’s survival. He expects the appearance of players aged 17–18 and even 15 in the first team in the near future.
The founder of the Academy, Kozlovskyy Hryhoriy, confidently declared that “Ruh” is “the flagship, the leader of children’s academic football” and invited parents and children to join the “Ruh family”, promising to provide conditions that can exceed European standards. He also conveyed a message to his “enemies”, assuring that everything is great at “Ruh” and the club will become “definitely stronger”, preparing “many unpleasant surprises” for them, and for those who love the Academy — many pleasant things.
