After-care programs are currently a big deal, especially considering the increasing discussions about athletes’ mental health. Football isn’t just about what happens on the field during a match; it extends beyond the final whistle.
People are starting to worry about how professional academies shape their players’ personal development.
A recent study said that 93% of young players in Premier League academies (aged 8-17) had a ‘positive experience.’ But that’s not the whole story.
The real problems often start when players leave the academy. Once the strict structure and tough physical demands of youth football are gone, many young players struggle. This is where aftercare comes into play.
But what does after-care mean, exactly?
The After-Care Program in football is a comprehensive system designed to ensure players’ well-being and aid their recovery post-game.
Let’s break down the key components of this program in simple terms.
1. Cooling Down
After a match, players engage in a structured cool-down routine.
This involves light exercises and stretches to gradually lower the heart rate, preventing muscle stiffness. Cooling down helps in the efficient removal of waste products, reducing the risk of injuries and promoting flexibility.
2. Hydration
Proper hydration is crucial for recovery. Players lose a significant amount of fluids through sweating during a match, and replenishing these fluids is essential. The After-Care Program emphasizes the intake of water and electrolyte-rich drinks to restore the body’s hydration levels.
3. Nutrition
Post-match nutrition is vital for replenishing energy stores. Athletes are provided with balanced meals that include a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates restore glycogen levels, proteins aid in muscle repair, and fats contribute to overall energy requirements.
4. Medical Assessment
The After-Care Program involves a thorough medical assessment of players.
Trained medical staff assess any injuries sustained during the game and determine the appropriate course of action for treatment and rehabilitation. Immediate attention to injuries is vital for a player’s speedy recovery.
5. Rest and Sleep
Adequate rest and sleep are fundamental elements of the After-Care Program.
Players are given time to recover both physically and mentally. Quality sleep promotes muscle repair, enhances cognitive function, and ensures players are mentally prepared for upcoming challenges.
6. Rehabilitation
In cases of injuries, a structured rehabilitation program is implemented.
This involves targeted exercises and physiotherapy to facilitate the healing process and restore the player to full fitness. Rehabilitation is personalized, considering the nature and severity of the injury.
7. Mental Health Support
The After-Care Program recognizes the importance of mental well-being. Football can be emotionally taxing, and players are provided with mental health support services. This includes counseling and resources to help them cope with the pressures of the game.
8. Continuous Monitoring
The well-being of players is an ongoing concern.
Continuous monitoring of players’ physical and mental health allows for early detection of any issues. This proactive approach enables timely intervention and ensures that players are always in optimal condition.
After-care or Player Care Scheme In The Premier League
Although it’s still in the early stages of development, there’s a possibility that all Premier League clubs may have to provide support for players who are released before getting a professional contract.
Right now, the Football Association doesn’t have a safety net rule to protect young footballers who’ve dedicated a big chunk of their lives to the game but end up without a professional deal.
The responsibility currently falls on the league bodies. According to the Premier League’s rules, clubs must have a plan to help players transition when they leave, but they aren’t required to offer support for mental health and well-being.
However, if discussions progress in the Premier League, this could change into a more centralized, formal process.
Crystal Palace is leading the way by being the first club to publicly confirm they provide after-care.
Their program spans three years, and its structure is based on discussions with different groups at the club. While this is a positive step, it’s surprising that it’s the first clear example we’ve seen of such efforts.
What prompted Crystal Palace to take this step?
Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish has outlined the rationale behind his own club’s plans.
“We have a duty and moral obligation to nurture and guide all the 200+ players within our care,” he told the Palace website. “We recognise that when an older Academy player is released, it may feel like the end of the world for that young man and we must do our utmost to offer support to affected players through that process and guide them with the next stage of their journey.
“That typically begins with us providing introductions to new clubs or continuing to include the players in matches to enable other clubs to watch them play. But it may also be about helping them continue their education or begin a life outside of football in the workplace. Whatever their path is, we want to offer our support to them to help them achieve success.”
Academy Manager Gary Issott gave more detail in an excellent interview with Louis Langdown of The Football Family.
“We’re all aware of the sheer volume of players that can drop out at PDP after maybe 10 years of being in Academy football from eight to 18 or 12 to 22 and we know the Academy system enriches players’ experience,” Issott said.
“It’s often very difficult for those players to deal with the initial trauma of leaving a professional club and understanding what transferable skills they have, what value they add to other career pathways, or even how they begin to pursue other interests and passions.
“We’ve seen lots of boys struggle when leaving the game and I can talk about my experience. I struggled leaving Luton Town in the early 90s and I can only go back retrospectively and understand that was due to a bit of grieving. I was missing football and my friendship group.
“So, with likeminded people at the club, we made the decision that we want to give players a three-year after-care package.
“The Chairman has been very supportive in this initiative. Not only is our remit to produce first-team players for CPFC, but we have a duty to nurture and guide the players within our Academy – should they make the first team or not – and he’s always promoted the values of empathy and places the human at the heart of our processes.”
Issott said “We didn’t just stumble on” the idea of offering three years of support. “We tasked a working group within the club to consider the rationale behind when, how, and why players might need or seek our guidance,” he explained.
Will Player Care/ After-care Be Permanent?
The inclusion of after-care into football development programs, particularly for released players, has been gaining attention and discussion.
Many believe it is crucial for the holistic development and well-being of players beyond their time in academies.
However, whether it becomes a permanent and standardized part of football development may depend on various factors.
Several football clubs and organizations have started recognizing the importance of after-care, implementing programs to support players transitioning out of academies or dealing with the challenges of being released.
The discussion has extended to addressing mental health, educational support, and career guidance.
Whether after-care becomes a permanent part of football development could be influenced by:
Industry Trends: If more clubs and football organizations adopt after-care programs and demonstrate positive outcomes, it could contribute to making it a standard practice.
Regulatory Changes: Football governing bodies may consider including guidelines or regulations that mandate after-care programs as part of their broader efforts to enhance player welfare.
Player Advocacy: Players and player associations advocating for comprehensive after-care support could drive the football industry towards making it a permanent feature.
Success Stories: Positive experiences and success stories of players benefiting from after-care initiatives may encourage other clubs and organizations to adopt similar practices.
Public Awareness and Pressure: Increased awareness of the importance of player well-being and public pressure for ethical and comprehensive player development could influence the football community to prioritize after-care.
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