Shakhtar player Valeriy Bondar has opened Shakhtar Academy X-Park—a place where children develop their soccer skills, learn to work as a team, and pursue their dreams with confidence. The academy’s founder shared its values and key goals, as well as his own journey from childhood training sessions to professional soccer.
“On this day, a dream I had held for years finally came true: opening my own soccer school.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who shared this special moment with us. Your support, smiles, and belief inspire us to move forward with even greater confidence.
Opening this school holds special meaning for me. It is an opportunity to help children fall in love with soccer, grow as athletes and individuals, and develop discipline, a strong work ethic, respect, team spirit, and confidence in their own abilities.
I made the journey from a youth academy to professional soccer myself, so I know just how important it is to have people by your side who support you, guide you, and help you become better. That is exactly the kind of environment we want to create at Shakhtar Academy X-Park.
There is a great deal of work ahead, along with new achievements and children’s dreams that, I believe, will one day become reality.”
Every great soccer player’s journey begins in childhood. At this stage, it is especially important for children to have people by their side who can support them, guide them, and help them reach their full potential.
Every great journey begins with a first step. In soccer, it starts with the first time a child steps onto the field, makes a pass, scores a goal, and experiences that defining moment when they realize, “I love this.”
Shakhtar Academy X-Park has created a place where children play soccer, learn to work as a team, make friends, build confidence, and enjoy every training session.
The first trial session at the academy is free. It could be the beginning of your child’s own soccer story.
Imagine a child arriving for a regular training session and finding themselves on the field alongside someone they had watched on television just the day before.
One of the sessions for the academy’s young players was led by Valeriy Bondar, a Shakhtar player and the academy’s founder. He trained alongside the children, talked with them, offered encouragement, and shared his own experience. The session also included the traditional team handshake.
The academy’s team wants children to see an example that inspires them to grow. After all, the journey to the highest levels of soccer begins with sessions like these—with a first pass, a first goal, a first victory, and even a first mistake.
Meeting someone who has already walked this path and is ready to step onto the same field with you can be especially motivating.
A soccer superpower is a skill that can be developed. For some, it is speed; for others, lightning-fast reflexes. Some players have exceptional control of the ball, while others always find the right solution on the field.
Behind every strength are hours of training, countless repetitions, mistakes, trying again, and the desire to keep improving.
During training sessions, children gradually discover what they do best. They learn to work as a team, overcome challenges, and keep moving forward after an unsuccessful attempt. True superheroes develop their abilities through persistence and hard work.
Your child may not even realize yet what their superpower might be.
Every training session is built on repetition, mistakes, trying again, and small victories. This is how technique, confidence, and real progress take shape.
Behind every goal is work that may not be visible at first glance. At the same time, soccer gives children far more than athletic skills. The most meaningful changes are often seen not on the scoreboard after a match, but in everyday life.
Regular training helps children become more confident, independent, disciplined, and open to communicating with others. It teaches responsibility, mutual respect, teamwork, and the ability to handle both wins and losses with grace.
Shakhtar Academy X-Park is now fully operational and ready to welcome the next generation of soccer players.
Ahead are new training sessions, new friendships, unforgettable emotions, and victories celebrated together. The journey has already begun. This is the first step in a much bigger story, and the academy’s team is delighted to see children and their parents becoming part of it.
It is always inspiring to see adults invest their knowledge, energy, and belief in children. This is how their future takes shape.
To book a trial session:
Send a direct message to @shakhtar_academy_xpark_
or call +38 067 405 33 99.
The first trial session is free.
