"Many academy footballers have dedicated most of their childhoods to putting in thousands of hours of training, chasing a dream, only for it to be cut short when released from their contracts. At worst, we have seen young people turn to crime and self-harm, and suffer great psychological trauma. This can't be allowed to continue. There is a postcode lottery for aftercare when you are released. Support gets considerably patchier the further you move down the pyramid, due to a lack of resources."
"Psychological support for young players must be embedded in academies right from the outset. Coordinated investment from the Football Association, the Premier League and the English Football League would go a long way to helping all clubs grow their psychological workforce and giving released academy players the support they need and deserve. Stephen Smith Chair, sport and exercise psychology division, British Psychological Society"
Many academy footballers invest thousands of hours from childhood into training only to have their dreams cut short when released from contracts. Released players can experience severe outcomes including crime, self-harm and psychological trauma. Aftercare provision varies by postcode and becomes patchier further down the football pyramid due to limited resources. Psychological support must be embedded in academies from the outset to protect player welfare. Coordinated investment from the Football Association, the Premier League and the English Football League would expand clubs' psychological workforces and improve support for released academy players.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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