World Premiere of the Mobile App Football for Friendship

Millions of football fans from all over the world now have an exceptional opportunity at their fingertips! A mobile application called Football for Friendship has been developed for a wide range of users from all continents as part of the Sixth Season of the International Children's Social Program of Gazprom PJSC, Football for Friendship.

Now everyone can download the unique mobile app from Google Play and Apple Store. It contains detailed information about the history and news of the project as well as numerous entertainment sections. Thanks to the app, which covers world football and everything linked it from A to Z, millions of fans anywhere in the world – from beginners to professionals – can now unite in a single team to promote football to children, teens and adults worldwide.

For example, thanks to the app, people from all over the world can communicate freely without a language barrier. All users and supporters of Football for Friendship can easily speak the same language as the app contains a linguistic service in 62 languages from all continents of the planet. Users can choose the most common, vital phrases in their native language and instantly translate them into a foreign language. This function allows all football lovers of different ages, nationalities and interests, as well as the young participants of Football for Friendship from 211 countries and regions of the world to quickly establish links and find a common language with new friends. What's more, the app can be used to create photos with the Football for Friendship logos, learn interesting facts about the countries participating in the program and Football for Friendship's ecological mission, as well as take tests about football and other sports topics.

Another feature unique to the app means users can download exclusive custom ringtones with the national themes of Europe, Africa, Asia, South and North America, as well as Australia and Oceania. The original ringtones, written specially for the young participants of the Football for Friendship program, are designed to introduce children to the cultural diversity of the world, and teach them about the folklore and traditions of different countries.

"The Football for Friendship app was is aimed to draw attention of the children and adults from different countries to the cultural diversity of our world. The application allows to learn more about sports and different traditions of all 211 countries participating in our programme. The Football for Friendship's mission is to unite children and adults of different nationalities, age, sex and cultural backgrounds. I am confident that both the guests of the FIFA World Cup 2018, that are arriving now to Russia, will appreciate the free mobile application of the Football for Friendship programme that allows everyone to easily overcome the barriers in communication", said Global Director of the Football for Friendship program Vladimir Serov.

 "I believe that an app of this kind is a very important tool for all participants of the program. It opens the door to users to learn more about the program and prepare themselves for what will happen at the Football for Friendship finals. I also really like the fact that when Football for Friendship is over and I return home, I will be able to show my friends videos and photos from all events as well as interesting facts about all the countries of the world that are so wonderfully described in the app", said Young Ambassador of Football for Friendship Noah Borg (Australia, 12).

"It's really cool that the app was created specifically for the program because it's not that easy to find ringtones from each continent of our planet on the Internet. All participants of Football for Friendship have them now! I'm super keen to put the Europe ringtone, where I'm from, on my phone, or Africa, which I want to learn as much as possible about – so that the program is always with me!", said  Young Ambassador of Football for Friendship, Luca Lombardi (United Kingdom, 12) sharing his emotions with us.

Overnewton Duo to Fly the Flag at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Young Aussie to fly flag in Russia

The 2018 Football for Friendship (F4F) programme is transforming a FIFA World Cup dream into reality for Year 7 student, Noah Borg, who has been selected to fly to Russia to represent Australia at the F4F programme.

Taking place in Moscow on June 8th to 15th, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, F4F is an annual International Children’s social programme organised by Gazprom, a company supporting global social projects and setting new standards in relation to social policy. One of the experiences includes a role in the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and tickets to the opening match, Russia vs Saudi Arabia.

Noah will attend as a Young Journalist, giving the country even more presence ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He will join other 12-year-old football players and journalists from 211 countries and regions to participate in the eight-day programme.
Noah says: “The nine values of the programme - friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour - mean a lot to me. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you can do, we are all equal and we should treat everyone the same and with respect.”
Overnewton College Head of Sport, Nikki Little, will also travel to Moscow, having been invited to be a member of the Australian delegation, and will actively work with the Australian media team. Nikki will have the opportunity to collaborate with over 2,000 professional journalists from around the world to give the children an experience of a lifetime.

Australian F4F Delegation Features on Ten News

Two Melbourne boys are set for the football experience of a lifetime. #TenNews

The Football for Friendship programme is transforming a FIFA World Cup dream into reality for Luca Durso and Noah Borg, both aged 12, on an all expenses paid trip to represent Australia at the F4F programme. Recently the boys were featured on Ten Eyewitness News Melbourne.

Taking place in Moscow, Russia on 8-15 June and ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, F4F is an annual International Children’s social programme organized by Gazprom, an international company supporting global social projects and setting new standards in relation to social policy. The aim of the programme is to promote essential values embodied by football with the younger generation such as respect for other cultures and nationalities as well as equality.

Introduction to Australia’s Young Journalist Noah Borg

“My name is Noah Borg and I am 12 years old. I’m going to represent Australia as a Young Journalist at the ‘Gazprom Football for Friendship’ (F4F) program in Moscow"

The F4F programme will bring children from 211 different countries together, who share a love of football and embrace the nine values of the programme, which include friendship, peace and equality. These are values that my parents, family, friends and school life have been teaching me.  I believe I am a good role model of these values and demonstrate the values each day. 

I am really excited to be the Young Journalist representing Australia as I have a bright and bubbly personality and am passionate about football.  I am able to communicate effectively with my friends, family, teachers and people I meet.  I am friendly and love to chat about football to anyone who will listen to me!

 I want to practice my interviewing skills before I leave for Russia in June, as it would be a dream to interview one of the 2018 World Cup players.”

Students Unite in Football and Friendship

Students participate in friendly tournament

Year 7 students from Overnewton College and Rowville Sports Academy came together on Monday 30th April to take part in a small-sided tournament, based on the 2018 Gazprom Football for Friendship (F4F) programme format.

In June, students from 211 countries will take part in this global initiative, including Noah Borg (Overnewton) and Luca Durso (Rowville), who will represent Australia in Moscow.

Students from the two schools united in ‘teams of friendship’, with three students from each school combining to form teams that were named after countries competing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Rowville Football Director and event convener, Ian Greener, introduced the dual coloured ‘friendship bracelet’ and shared its significance.

“When you wear this friendship bracelet on your wrist, you are showing your willingness to follow the principles of this movement: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour! These principles are not only for the football field. Feel free to follow them anywhere, anytime! Share a bracelet with a friend and start the race to peace, equality and fairness.”

The students exchanged bracelets, met their new teammates and began the round-robin competition. There were fine examples of skilful play from the boys and girls, and it was great to see the positivity and enjoyment the students experienced. In the end, team Russia defeated team Australia in the final.

Emanuel Saakai, founder, CEO and Head Coach of Lengo Football Academy, thanked all of the students for taking part in this event and encouraged the children to keep enjoying their football and working towards their fullest potential.

Countdown to Russia for ‘Aussie’ delegation ahead of Football 4 Friendship 2018

The Australian delegation will depart for Moscow, Russia for the Football for Friendship (F4F) International Children's Social program. This program is implemented by Gazprom, official partner of FIFA and the World Cup Russia 2018. The goal of the program is…

The Australian delegation will depart for Moscow, Russia for the Football for Friendship (F4F) International Children's Social program. This program is implemented by Gazprom, official partner of FIFA and the World Cup Russia 2018. The goal of the program is to involve the young generation throughout the world in promoting the most important human values among their peers - friendship, equality, peace and respect for different cultures and nationalities.

Emanuel Saakai, founder of Lengo Football Academy, explains how this opportunity came about:

“We started the foundation in a small Maasai village in Tanzania to empower disadvantaged young people and communities, using football as a vehicle to transform their lives. Last year, we received an invitation from Gazprom Football For Friendship to take part in their international football tournament with 64 countries from all over the world. In 2018, they approached us again and we have put together a team of 12 countries, which includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.”

Other members of the Australian delegation include Anthony Grima (Football Federation Victoria), Lachlan Armstrong and Nikki Little (Overnewton College).

Young Player Luca Durso On Top Of The World

Year 7 student Luca Durso is counting down the days until he can represent Australia as a YoungPlayer in the 2018 Gazprom Football 4 Friendship programme in Russia in June.

Article by Nikki Little

Year 7 student Luca Durso is counting down the days until he can represent Australia as aYoungPlayer in the 2018 Gazprom Football 4 Friendship programme in Russia in June.

Taking place in Moscow on 8-15 June ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, F4F is anannualInternational Children’s social programme organised by Gazprom, an internationalcompanysupporting global social projects and setting new standards in relation to social policy. One of theexperiences includes a role in the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup andtickets to theopening match, Russia vs Saudi Arabia.

Durso will represent Australia as a Player giving the country even more presence ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He will join other 12-year-old football players and journalists from 211 countriesandregions to participate in the 8-day programme.

Luca says “I am passionate about football and would love to play for the Socceroos one day. It isadream to represent Australia and visit Russia to see the World Cup.”

Luca already has some impressive credentials for a 12-year-old, having represented SchoolSportVictoria at the National 12 Years and Under Schoolboys Championships in 2017, winning a silver medal. He currently plays for Melbourne City Football Club’s Under 14 team. Luca trains 5 nights aweek and plays games on Sundays. He attends school at Rowville Sports Academy (RSA).

The Friendship 4 Football opportunity came about because of Ian Greener’s (Head Coach – Rowville Sports Academy) relationship with Lengo Football Academy Founder Emanuel Sakaii. Lengo arepartners of Football for Friendship in Russia and are responsible for giving delegations from 12 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Tanzania and the Pacific Islands the opportunity to takepart in this world-class event.

Victorians heading to Russia for Football for Friendship tournament

Luca Durso & Noah Borg to represent Australia at the F4F World Championships

The 2018 Football for Friendship (F4F) programme is transforming a FIFA World Cup dream into reality for two Victorian youngsters, Luca Durso and Noah Borg who have been selected to fly to Russia on an all expenses paid trip to represent Australia at the F4F programme.

Taking place in Moscow, Russia on 8-15 June ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, F4F is an annual International Children’s social programme organized by Gazprom, an international company supporting global social projects and setting new standards in relation to social policy. The aim of the programme is to promote essential values embodied by football with the younger generation such as respect for other cultures and nationalities as well as equality.

Luca Durso will represent Australia as a Player while Noah Borg will attend as a Young Journalist, giving the country even more presence ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.They will join other 12-year-old football players and journalists from 211 countries and regions to participate in the 8-day programme.

“I am passionate about football and would love to play for the Socceroos one day. It is a dream to represent Australia and visit Russia to see the World Cup,” said Durso.

Meanwhile, Borg said: “The nine values of the program - friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour - mean a lot to me. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you can do, we are all equal and we should treat everyone the same and with respect.”

This opportunity is the result of the terrific ongoing football partnership with Football For Friendship (RUS) and Lengo Football Academy (AUS).

Lengo Football Academy Chairperson Roxanne Strauss is delighted that Australia will be represented at the Football for Friendship in Russia.

"In 2017 a delegation from Lengo Football Academy represented Tanzania at the Football for Friendship program in St Petersburg as part of the Confederations Cup. This year Lengo Football Academy are privileged to be partnering with Football for Friendship and the Reagan Milstein Foundation to enable 12 countries to attend the program in Russia that forms part of the World Cup celebrations. Through these partnerships we are proud to be supporting young people from all over the world to score goals on and off the football field."

BACKGROUND

Since 2013, PJSC Gazprom has been organizing the International Children’s social programme Football for Friendship. The key values promoted by the programme participants include friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, tradition and honour. The participants are Young Players (girls and boys, including those physically challenged), as well as Young Journalists covering the F4F events within the framework of the The Football for Friendship International Children’s Press Center. Geographical scope of the programme expand annually: from 8 countries in 2013 to 211 countries in 2018. For the past five years, more than 3,700 people have participated in the programme. Football for Friendship is supported by FIFA, UEFA, International Olympic Committee, football federations of various countries, international children's charity funds, and world's leading football clubs.

32 International Teams of Friendship were formed during the Open Draw, as well as playing roles for each Young Player from each country (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward) were determined. After definition of the roles for the Young Players, their coaches will be selected this way: 19 countries which will represent the Young Coaches were defined in an unpredictable manner as a result of an Open Draw, 11 coaches will be chosen from the cities hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, 2 Young Coaches will be selected from the best participants of the previous seasons of the Football for Friendship programme.

VIDEO: Lengo on Football: “It’s The Universal Language”

Football Music Culture has been working with Lengo Football Academy as they prepare to take a large delegation of young footballers and young journalists from Tanzania, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific to Russia for the 2018 Gazprom Football For Friendship programme.

Kids from 211 nations will attend and even participate in the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow!