From Learning to New Opportunities: BDPU Representatives Join the Instructor School

Developing adaptive sport and supporting veteran initiatives

On 9 November 2026, representatives of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University (BDPU) began training at the Instructor School, an educational initiative focused on developing sport for veterans, preparing instructors, and creating accessible opportunities for physical activity and sport in communities across Ukraine.

The BDPU group includes Liudmyla Dziuba and Nataliia Polishcuk, representatives of the Department of Physical Culture, Sports and Teaching Methods at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Sports and Human Health, as well as eight BDPU students.

Participation in the programme is an important step towards strengthening practice-oriented training for future physical culture and sport professionals, developing the competencies needed to organise adaptive sport activities, and supporting the veteran community.

The first session: the beginning of professional development

The first online meeting with the programme team took place on 9 November. The introductory session was devoted to getting to know the organisers and participants, who share an interest in developing sport for veterans, improving their professional skills, and creating opportunities in their local communities.

The Instructor School combines theoretical learning with practical tools for organising sport activities. The programme addresses Olympic archery, adaptive golf and pitch and putt, alongside participant recruitment, funding, partnerships and competition management.

From a sporting idea to a local veteran sport hub

The online stage of the programme is designed for 60 participants. Training covers organising sessions, establishing veteran sport hubs, budgeting, mobilising resources, and building partnerships with businesses, local authorities and grant providers.

The online training schedule includes the following sessions:

• 12 November, 19:00–21:00 — Olympic archery and adaptive golf: designing training sessions and recruiting participants;
• 16 November, 19:00–21:00 — the key elements of a veteran sport hub;
• 19 November, 19:00–21:00 — practical budgeting and planning participant recruitment;
• 23 November, 19:00–21:00 — communicating and presenting a sport hub to businesses, local authorities, funders and prospective participants;
• 26 November, 19:00–21:00 — practical group presentations of project ideas.

Following the online stage, a four-day practical school in Ivano-Frankivsk is planned for 12 selected participants.

As part of the project’s intended outcomes, three communities will receive equipment free of charge for Olympic archery and adaptive golf, together with support for launching their own sporting competitions.

New opportunities for the department and students

For the Department of Physical Culture, Sports and Teaching Methods, participation in the Instructor School offers opportunities to integrate contemporary adaptive sport practices into teaching, strengthen students’ practical preparation, and develop initiatives of social importance.

The knowledge gained may be applied in courses related to adaptive sport, sport for war veterans, sport activity management, and the organisation of physical culture and sport programmes.

In the longer term, this experience could support university and partner initiatives that engage war veterans, their families, students and other community members in accessible physical activity.

Another important priority for the department is to foster an inclusive sporting environment, strengthen cooperation with civil society organisations and introduce adaptive sport practices into curricular and extracurricular university activities.

Partnerships to develop sport for veterans

The Instructor School programme is implemented with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation under their joint initiative “Joining the EU Together”. Partners in this cohort also include GolfMotion and the NGO “Zihrіi Dushu” (“Warm the Soul”).

By joining such programmes, BDPU representatives contribute to professional exchange, cooperation and the development of new opportunities for adaptive sport and veteran communities.

For Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, the Instructor School offers not only new knowledge but also an important opportunity to advance practical initiatives that make sport more accessible.

We learn, collaborate and create new opportunities for veterans and communities across Ukraine!