How well are the Elite Players Performance Plan (EPPP) supporting young players with psychological welfare?

Abstract

The aim of this report was to assess how well equipped and supported Heads of Education feel in maintaining and promoting psychological welfare of young footballers, within their setting, as directed by the EPPP. Based on Wylleman & Lavallee1 it was considered there are many stressors affecting young pros around maturation and transition. Similarly Brown & Potrac2 argue that it is a build-up of resilience strategies that determine psychological welfare success. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with Heads of Education, Welfare and Safeguarding at six football academies throughout the English Football Leagues. The findings revealed that parents, injuries and peers were the main psychological stressors facing young football players. The main strategies in place to combat the effects of these for players were found to be holding workshops, and maintaining reflective journals. Consistently, money and time were the major battles Heads of Education, Welfare and Safeguarding faced in delivering these methods successfully. The EPPP was considered to have brought psychological welfare towards the frontline of academy provision but was still very much behind technical and physical player development.