My name is Maria Romanchenko, I am 17 years old and originally from Enakievo in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. I am a player for FC Chernomorets Odessa women’s team in the first division of Ukraine.  Since childhood I loved football, I always played with the boys in the yard, though basically I stood at the gate. But after moving, life turned out differently and now I am a striker.

At 11, I moved to Odessa and for two years I did not realize that there was professional women's football in Ukraine. But in the 7th grade, at a physical education lesson, a girl noticed me during a game and suggested that I practice professionally.  After a while, I met my coach and started going to training.  After 2 months, I was part of the team that went to the Under-14 Ukrainian Championship. I scored my first goal and took the team to the final.  In this Championship, I was awarded the title of “Best Striker”.  This started my professional career in football. My goal is to get a contract with and play for a European or American team in the future.

Why is football important to you and your community?

Football is my passion. Each workout is important to me. I love to feel the power in myself and give it my all in every game. Football gave me a lot: friends, endurance, character and determination. This is something that I will never tire of doing. With the help of football, I maintain my physical and spiritual health.

When I first joined the team, I immediately started talking with the girls and we became very good friends. My team and I love to get together with other people from different schools, universities or even cities and compete with them.

Credit amd copyright: This project Goal Click Refugees is in partnership between goal-click.com and UNHCR.