Not about football

The story of how football helps to find your place in life

I never loved football and did not understand this game.

For the first time in his life, he went on the field at 25 years, while working as counselors in the camp of the orphanage. It was necessary to find a common language with wards, and football turned out to be a universal communication among adolescents (not to mention the fact that my failure and stupid attempts to master the ball very much inspired the guys and added faith to their own forces).

Tattoos of the coach of the junior team "Junior" of a closed special school for children with deviant behavior photos: Dmitry Markov for TD

The second time, the football theme touched me in a social hotel for graduates of the boarding house, where I worked as a teacher. We had Pasha - a domestic teenager, who, by misunderstanding, was sent from a correctional school to an orphanage at the age of 17, believing that his native grandmother is not able to cope with education. So that Pasha is not expelled to PNI, our organization, the Rostock Foundation, took it “for overexposure” until adulthood and helped the grandmother to draw up documents for returning home.

The younger team of Tajikistan "Navruz" photo: Dmitry Markov for TD

At first it was not easy with Pasha. Being a home guy, Pasha had a heavily experienced a short stay in the orphanage. He seemed to have a slight form correction, which, however, aggravated in the ward of the older group. In a few months, from a funny merry fellow, Panya turned into an awkward animal, which sought to take an embryonic pose, constantly swayed and acted completely inconsistent with reality. Plus, Pavlik was tight at one ear and rushed at all the new people (however, he did it kindly, as they usually jump on guests home dogs, tired of sitting in an apartment).

Young football player of the Zubtsovsky orphanage of the Tver region photo: Dmitry Markov for TD

At first, the shut -off duty and special control were assigned to Pasha. In an attempt to streamline and gather Pasha into a heap, our psychologist drew attention to his addiction to football. She suggested using this as a pedagogical measure. We have established special rules based on football.

The charter shouting deaf pasha on walks in the city, we talked with the help of judges of whistles and cards. Running along the roadway is a yellow card. Bling in closed doors is a yellow card. Leaning and stringing on duty is a yellow card. If, according to the results of the day, three yellow cards were folded into one red, it meant that Pasha was punished, and instead of the long -awaited football at the city stadium, he would sit at home, reflecting on his behavior.

The guys change clothes and prepare for the exit to the photo: Dmitry Markov for TD

It turned out to be fun, and, indeed, effective. Panya accepted the rules and kept the cards, proudly reporting to the time of counting that "he has only two."

Pasha then lived with us for a couple of months until adulthood, after which he safely went home to the grandmother in Pskov. At first, we called up and kept contact, then gradually parted, although I constantly noticed it near the city stadium.

The boy is resting between games photo: Dmitry Markov for TD

And the other day I met Pasha on the street, he, shining with delight and pleased with himself, invited me to the game of the League of Dawn Football, where he plays for one of the teams. On Pan there was a form of the Pskov football club, apparently a gift from one of the players. He did not stand out from the total mass of the participants, although I immediately noticed that, turning to Pasha, the guys raised their voice and gesticulating - apparently, the features of his hearing are no longer a secret. And I also heard the guys encourage Pasha and call them "our best goalkeeper."

Young football player of the Zubtsovsky orphanage of the Tver region photo: Dmitry Markov for TD

After the game, I praised the guy, said that he was a great fellow, and wished football success.

Although, of course, I still do not like football and I don’t understand anything in it. But for me this is not a football story. This is a story about how a guy from a correctional school and a boarding school found his place, a matter and has become part of a community that is close and understandable for him.

The collection before the game of the Junior team of a closed special school for children with deviant behavior photo: Dmitry Markov for TD

Since 2005, Megafon has been holding the football tournament “The future depends on you”, in which teams of orphanages and boarding schools take part. Over 12 years, more than 33 thousand children who represented more than 700 orphanages from more than 150 cities took part in them. As in any competition, there are winners and losers in it, but it seems to me that for children from orphanages, correctional boarding schools or a special special -type special school (there are such), this is not just competitions. This is an important experience of communication and knowledge of the world, and its main success does not depend on the number of scored or missed heads.

Family blow photo: Dmitry Markov for TD Warm up before the game photo: Dmitry Markov for TD Decisive game for access to the semifinals photo: Dmitry Markov for TD The guys of the senior team of Tajikistan comfort their player after the loss in the semifinals photo: Dmitry Markov for TD The final game among the junior composition, during which the team "Orenburgier" won the orphanage of the city of Orsk photo: Dmitry Markov for TD Farewell salute after the solemn celebration of the winners of the 12th championship “The future depends on you” photo: Dmitry Markov for TD Football