Let me introduce myself by saying something that no one else will!
Hello everyone! I’m Dr Chris Platts and this is the story behind why this business exists…
In 2009, I undertook a PhD study into the practices of professional football Academies. More specifically, the study examined how the policies around education and welfare were experienced by the players, coaches and other staff who were working in Academies and Centres of Excellence (as they were called at the time). By 2012, the PhD was complete (you can access it here for free) and I had travelled over 3000 miles and gathered the views of 303 players from 21 professional football clubs. I spoke with 20 Education and Welfare Officers and 13 Coaches. It remains the largest independent study of education and welfare in the country. This study was the start of my 15-year journey to help improve the welfare of professional football players of all ages.
And here is my main point. It is something that not many people know and even fewer can say:
Professional football clubs find it hard to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of young players. I find, time and time again, that clubs have procedures in place to help, but the implementation of these policies rarely get the attention they deserve and need. I have more detail on this here.
Sometimes this is because of the culture in the club, sometimes it is because of resources and sometimes it is because the players do not value it. But the bottom line is, for a whole host of reasons, entering professional football can be negative for a player's wellbeing. But it does not have to be that way.
So, what is the answer to this problem? Well, alongside my PhD, I have tracked the careers of each of the 303 players from the original study. This provides me, and now you, with a unique insight into the career trajectories of players who enter professional football. So much so, that I can predict the path a career will take even before it has started! That means, if we know what a career will look like, we know what to prepare for. All we have to do now is understand how to prepare for it. We can plan how to manage successes and disappointments. Together, we can mitigate risk, optimise enjoyment and, most importantly, take control.
The problems we can solve together:
- I can tell players and parents or guardians what the clubs can’t and won’t. Using the experiences of those who have gone before, understand what a football career is like. From the first day of a Scholarship to the final days in football and beyond.
- Get insight and be ahead of the game every step of the way. Exceptional preparation means more enjoyment in a player's career, knowing every step is planned for. Peace of mind means better performances.
- Take control. It is your career and your well-being so take control of it. Why let others dictate who you are and what you should do? This is about players taking control of their lives.
My offer to you:
- Exceptional content delivered in a stimulating and entertaining way helping you to become knowledgeable about life in professional football
- Bespoke and personalised courses designed by experts for each step of your career
- Mentorship that allows you to assess and design your journey.
My philosophy
- Welfare and well-being are individually defined. That means one size does not fit all and we need to support players to take control of their wellbeing.
- Do the right thing by the player, meaning we must be honest, transparent and committed to them as a person.
- The pursuit of, or achievement in playing careers in professional football should not mean people are left vulnerable or in unfavourable conditions personally.