It’s safe to say that the world of academy football has evolved significantly since I entered this arena in 2013 as a Premier League academy support manager.
Fortunately, there’s a much greater focus on academy footballers’ welfare with clubs aiming to support each individual from a holistic perspective. The wider game is also taking more responsibility for young footballers by facilitating their smooth transition from club to club – and up and down the football pyramid – by ensuring their GCSE education is on track and by highlighting alternative career opportunities should their football journey be curtailed.
This time of year is crucial for young players as hundreds of boys and girls are released from academies at under-16, many of whom have spent a significant portion of their lives at one particular club. Naturally, this can be a difficult situation for footballers and their families as they try to navigate what they may see as rejection and failure. Those who still have a passion to make it as a professional will try to move on, trialling at various clubs, travelling near and far, training with different teams and trying to impress coaches and recruitment staff. They’ll do their utmost to ensure that their football dream isn’t coming to an end.
Football clubs across the country plan to prepare academy players for this transition, providing openings to trial at other clubs, making introductions, offering advice, and continuing to deliver training sessions to maintain skills and fitness. They will also look to check in with released players and their families in an attempt to smooth the process and offer the necessary care and guidance.
The emotional upheaval for released academy players can be manifold. I’ve seen it for myself. They are no longer playing for the team they love, they are faced with losing touch with team-mates and long-standing friendship groups, and have to move away from the security of a training ground which has been a ‘safe space’ for them to develop. Their self-esteem and self-confidence can take a real battering. For many it’s their first taste of rejection, and this can go hand-in-hand with a distinct loss of identity having spent years being associated with a club and training to a high standard.
And let’s not forget the negative impact this can have upon parents and care-givers who often struggle to cope with this unwanted adjustment. They too have committed to this pathway for their child or children, spending countless hours as their driver, their cheerleader, their funder and their support mechanism. Many will have devoted the lion’s share of their spare time to this particular son or daughter, often to the detriment of their spouse, their other children, and family life in general.
Some mums and dads are able to negotiate this sudden change in circumstances with a balanced approach, conscious of the impact this transition is having on their child. But other parents may experience (and express) feelings of anger, confusion or embarrassment about the situation which unfortunately may add unwanted stress to all involved.
As a psychotherapeutic counsellor, whenever I’m faced with a newly-released academy player I have to ask myself ‘What is this young person thinking and, more importantly, how are they feeling? And how are they equipped to deal with such upheaval?’
Teenagers’ brains are already undergoing major developments and significant change. Their stress responses become more intense, impairing emotional regulation and decision-making. This may result in anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, problems at school and exaggerated reactions to minor stressors. This trauma can leave them feeling vulnerable, can knock their confidence, and ultimately, can impact their ability to cope. And, on top of that, this young person now has the pressure of impressing in trials in order to achieve a contract, a scholarship, and a progression toward their dream.
From a counselling perspective, I would encourage parents to be aware of any behavioural changes, such as:
- Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, numbness, overreaction.
- Increased aggression, withdrawal from friends/family, increased risk-taking, rebellious behaviour, self-harm.
- Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, trouble with problem-solving, feeling disconnected.
- Sleep problems, fatigue, changes in eating.
- Trouble forming or maintaining relationships.
- Disengaged behaviour in school.
There is a way through, however, and I have seen for myself how released players and their parents can benefit greatly from talking therapy. And this could relate to you.
I provide a safe and non-judgemental space which encourages you to open up about your feelings and behaviours, and which allows you the time and freedom to understand the issues you’re facing and the source of your negative feelings.
Together, we can create positive change by making sense of your challenges, regaining control of your circumstances and rebuilding your self-worth and confidence.
Are you ready to talk? Please contact me here.
