Back in the spring, the founder of the Ruh football club and academy, Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, announced the launch of an ambitious project aimed at bringing children’s and youth football in Ukraine to a radically new level.
Over the next two years, a state-of-the-art complex will be built in Vynnyky to train thousands of young football players:
- its own branch of the British school,
- a modern arena,
- innovative hybrid fields.
Scale and innovation: an inside look
The construction of the new Ruh Academy complex impresses with its scale and unique architectural solutions. According to the project’s architect, Andrii, the key feature of the main building is the integration of stands with 1160 seats directly into the structure. This solution made it possible to effectively use the limited area and create a multifunctional space.
Mr. Kozlovskyy noted that the complex will include four full-size football fields that will meet all UEFA standards. This will allow the academy to host national and international tournaments. The premises inside are designed to be as efficient as possible: the skyboxes in the stands will serve as classrooms during normal hours, and a modern conference room is provided for large-scale events.
The upper floors will house a mini-hotel for guest teams and rooms for the Ruh first team, which will have their own balconies overlooking the main arena. To provide food for more than a thousand pupils, a huge dining room of 1000 m² with a 600 m² kitchen is being built. A separate cafe will be open for parents and visitors.
A unique arena and energy independence
One of the main advantages of the new academy will be an indoor arena with a full-size football field built using modern inflatable technology.
“Today, this will be the only such facility in Western and Central Ukraine, which will allow us to train and hold matches in any weather conditions throughout the year,” – said Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy.
Given the country’s energy challenges, the project aims to achieve partial autonomy. A solar power plant will be installed on the roof of the main building, which will provide the complex with its own electricity and reduce the load on the city’s networks.
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy: personal control and vision of the founder
According to the architect, the founder of FC Ruh, Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, is not just financing the project, but is directly involved in all stages of construction. He personally controls the processes, holding daily meetings with the builders.
“He perfectly understands the stages of construction, the processes and asks exactly the questions that really need to be addressed consistently. Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy is not just in control, he has his finger on the pulse,” says Andriy.
The concept of the academy was born out of Kozlovskyy’s own experience, when he visited the world’s leading football academies to study their advantages and disadvantages. It was his vision that formed the basis of this unique project for Ukraine. Even the founder’s office is designed to offer a panoramic view of all the academy’s facilities.
Social mission and investment in the future
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy emphasizes that the Ruh Academy is not just a sports facility, but an important social mission and investment in the future of the Ukrainian nation. Recently, his activities were highly appreciated: the Economic News publication included Kozlovskyy in the rating of TOP-10 investors in Western Ukraine, noting him as a shining example of socially responsible business.
The construction of this grand facility is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2026. No doubt, its opening will be a new page in the history of Ukrainian football.
