After fleeing Ukraine and arriving on the Island, 8-year-old twins Denys and Artem are now members of Newport Youth IW football club.
The brothers came to the Island under the Home for Ukraine scheme with their mother after the war in their homeland forced them to flee the war-ravaged nation.
Like many other Ukrainians, they have had to adapt to a new way of life and culture, language, schools, and accommodation but both boys have quickly settled well and are already making friends.
The boys were always very interested in football, especially Denys; he had always dreamt about playing. So, during a walk in Wootton over the summer, when the boys saw a local football team training, their mother Tetiana simply popped in and asked the trainers if they could join the game.
And as a result of their star performances, both brothers are now members of the Newport Youth IW football club, with Artem in between the sticks and Denys a right winger.
In only their first games playing for the U9 team, they helped Newport win the Mark Burrows Memorial Tournament with Artem saving a penalty in the final. Whilst in a recent Isle of Wight Sunday Youth U9 League game, Denys scored 6 times.
Molodsti khloptsi.
Well done boys .Sport unites the world.
Well done lads, positive start for them in their new life.