Be prepared for your scholarship
Over the years of researching this topic, I have read many stories of the treatment young players were exposed to. My research allowed me to dig deeper, and I have outlined some of it here.
Chris Platts
Dr Chris Platts worked in Academia for over 15 years studying the work of professional footballers. He presented and published on the international stage before starting chrisplatts.co.uk
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The Importance of a "Good Attitude"
Being viewed by others as "big time" is a risk in any professional football academy. It is a sign that you do not have a good attitude. But what is "big time", we can dive into the data to unpick that a little.
"Things always get back"
This blog is inspired by a question posed by a Player Care Manager at a professional football club on LinkedIn. I was moved to respond to the question because of my experiences in this area and the data that supported my view.
Football Needs Venn
Why would a professional football club look out for the welfare of a young player? The answer, in most cases, is they won’t. Read the full article to learn more.
"We got a 100% pass rate"
We know that many young players have begun to disengage with education before they undertake their scholarship. We know that then they will be 'spoon fed' their education at an academy developing in them 'learned helplessness'. Despite this, we know that they will pass the qualifications.
Why are clubs compelled to sell academy players?
In recent months, it has become clear that the financial rules clubs have to abide by have constrained them to sell academy players. But, why is this the case?
"F***ing hell man. It's f***ing life or death!"
If you are a scholar, you will encounter authoritarian leadership. You need to be prepared for that or you will not last long in that environment
We have to talk about money
It is just as important to prepare yourself for getting a professional contract as it is for not getting one. There are few places this applies more than when it comes to the financial aspects of a career.
The myth of the 0.012%
These claims do little to advance our understanding of this topic and, therefore, are of little use for players who are trying to prepare for their careers or the parents and guardians supporting them
What does a player need? Did we ask them?
Have you ever wondered what a young player thinks they need from their support network?
Netflix and Chill?
What does leisure look like for young players? A wealth of free time after training? Latte's at the local Costa? Shopping for 'drip'? The reality might surprise you and it is something young players and their parents and guardians must understand.
PFA Launches A Degree
There are some inherent dangers in this project and other collaborations seeking to attract young people who have been released from professional football clubs. Players and parents need to understand these dangers.
5 Things to Expect in a Professional Football Academy
In this blog, I share some of the research I have done over the past 15 years in this area and serve up five ‘need to knows’ about life in an Academy.