"They only have one childhood so be careful how you steward it"
Being released from academies can be crushing.
~12,000 children are released from academies each year.
78% who turn pro at 18 are no longer playing football 3 years on.
➠ Here's 9 pieces of guidance
Being released from academies can be crushing.
~12,000 children are released from academies each year.
78% who turn pro at 18 are no longer playing football 3 years on.
➠ Here's 9 pieces of guidance
1/ Be encouraged
➠ Harry Kane
➠ Declan Rice
➠ Joao Felix
➠ Eberechi Eze
➠ Andy Robertson
➠ Franck Ribery
➠ Jamie Vardy
...were all released along their journey.
It’s not the end of the story.
➠ Harry Kane
➠ Declan Rice
➠ Joao Felix
➠ Eberechi Eze
➠ Andy Robertson
➠ Franck Ribery
➠ Jamie Vardy
...were all released along their journey.
It’s not the end of the story.
2/ Club's opinions
Just remember there are over 4,400 professional clubs in the world.
One club's opinion is only 0.02% of the 99.98% possibilities that remain.
Reflect on why you want to follow this path.
Keep progressing forwards.
Just remember there are over 4,400 professional clubs in the world.
One club's opinion is only 0.02% of the 99.98% possibilities that remain.
Reflect on why you want to follow this path.
Keep progressing forwards.
3/ Enjoy what you love doing
Go play with your friends.
Play Sunday league football.
Playing without certain pressures can give you an opportunity to reconnect with the sport you love.
Go play with your friends.
Play Sunday league football.
Playing without certain pressures can give you an opportunity to reconnect with the sport you love.
4/ You’ve done what many couldn't
At any age group in any professional academy you are one of a minute group in the world able to wear that shirt.
That is an achievement in itself and shouldn’t be underestimated.
At any age group in any professional academy you are one of a minute group in the world able to wear that shirt.
That is an achievement in itself and shouldn’t be underestimated.
5/ Environment
It might not be the right environment for you now or in the future.
I’ve known academy players who left clubs on their own accord because of they preferred another environment.
You need to do what’s best so you have the most joy.
It might not be the right environment for you now or in the future.
I’ve known academy players who left clubs on their own accord because of they preferred another environment.
You need to do what’s best so you have the most joy.
6/ It doesn't define you
If you get a pro contract or not remember that playing professional football at any level is just one aspect of an individual.
➠ Tomori has a Business Management degree
➠ Lukaku speaks 6 languages
➠ Iniesta has Biology and Sports Science degrees
If you get a pro contract or not remember that playing professional football at any level is just one aspect of an individual.
➠ Tomori has a Business Management degree
➠ Lukaku speaks 6 languages
➠ Iniesta has Biology and Sports Science degrees
7/ Other sports
Try your hand at other sports you enjoy.
Max Kilman is an example of using the benefits of other sports to support his progression after playing football to futsal and onto being a professional footballer.
Try your hand at other sports you enjoy.
Max Kilman is an example of using the benefits of other sports to support his progression after playing football to futsal and onto being a professional footballer.
8/ Attitude
If it’s because of your attitude - you can fix that very quickly.
I’ve seen players released by Cat 1 academies because of poor attitude, but learn from their mistakes.
They ended up playing for another Cat 1 academy and progressing into the Youth Team.
If it’s because of your attitude - you can fix that very quickly.
I’ve seen players released by Cat 1 academies because of poor attitude, but learn from their mistakes.
They ended up playing for another Cat 1 academy and progressing into the Youth Team.
9/ Life learning experience
You grow emotionally and mentally as an individual and are able to understand more about how you cope with “massive” setbacks early in life.
There are after care support systems to help along the transition both within and independent of clubs.
You grow emotionally and mentally as an individual and are able to understand more about how you cope with “massive” setbacks early in life.
There are after care support systems to help along the transition both within and independent of clubs.
If you found value in this post and want to excel as a coach for 2024, I've got something for you:
1. Free Sign Up to The Coaches Newsletter for your weekly coach growth content
thecoachesnewsletter.com
2. I share daily sessions👍🏾 for you to use, try out and enjoy delivering 🤝
1. Free Sign Up to The Coaches Newsletter for your weekly coach growth content
thecoachesnewsletter.com
2. I share daily sessions👍🏾 for you to use, try out and enjoy delivering 🤝
Loading suggestions...