Counselling in football: Who is caring for the players that don't make the cut?. Issue 4 (28th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilkinson, Richard
• Is Part Of: Counselling and psychotherapy research. Volume 21:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 851
• Publication Date: 2021-05-28
• Subjects: academy football -- counselling -- deselected -- football players -- mental health -- young adults; Counseling -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1002/capr.12422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-3145

Abstract

Abstract: A high percentage of young football players enter into the world of football through academies, with the hope of one day making it to an elite professional level and representing their football club or even our national team. The reality is that <0.5% will achieve their dreams. This article explores counselling and psychotherapy support in place within football clubs, opening areas of concern that need to be highlighted by all within the game. New research offers us a greater understanding of how mental health support operates within top tier football clubs by the sports psychologist and the counsellor or psychotherapist. This article will also look at evolving infrastructures in football clubs outside the UK and how they offer mental health support to their players. This author has personal experience of deselection and is currently studying this area. He proposes that a system to support these players through counselling/psychotherapy sessions could help the football club manage players and staff with mental health issues and, above all, potentially support, protect and save the lives of some of our most vulnerable academy players following deselection.