Liverpool FC’s Trent Alexander-Arnold Supports Young Footballers Who Don’t Make It
May 5, 2023
Liverpool FC and England star, Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced the launch of ‘The After Academy’ project to help aspiring young footballers who don’t make it at clubs. The effort comes after Alexander-Arnold sought to understand stories of those rejected by academies and found that it negatively impacted young people’s education and mental health.
More than three-quarters of academy players are dropped between the ages of 13 and 16 – often at times with no warning or support – with just 0.012% making it at a professional level. Last year, Certified Sports released a short film called ‘Dropped’, which highlighted the impact on young men who are dropped from football academies. The eye-opening film is the brainchild of former Fulham FC academy player Max Noble, who was dropped at a young age after needing double knee surgery and shared that as a result, he suffered from severe depression and anxiety.
The film shows that they often receive no mental health support to deal with what is a life-changing and traumatic event – with some even wanting to end their lives. 55% of deselected youth academy players suffer from clinical levels of psychological distress after being rejected with many outlining that they suffered from depression, anxiety, PTSD and an array of negative experiences.
“There is a side to football we don’t talk about enough. The 99% that don’t make it,” shared Alexander-Arnold in a tweet. After receiving a huge volume of correspondence from young men who said their education and mental health had been negatively impacted due to the disappointment of being released, Alexander-Arnold was determined to help he says.
Through The After Academy’ he intends to support those players who are released from clubs. His new initiative will work in collaboration with Liverpool FC and in partnership with brands such as Red Bull, Under Armour and Therabody to offer career opportunities, work placements and internship opportunities across various departments. The Academy is set to be live at the end of the year.
“I’m fortunate to not know what the conversation is like, but I know from my friends and other former players how hard it hits and how tough it can be. I’m proud of this program as it looks to give another chance to those who didn’t make it and I hope it is just a first step towards a brighter future for these young players,” said Alexander-Arnold.
The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) will also join the scheme as a supporting partner, acting as a body that regularly supports former academy players. The PFA will also equip members of the initiative to provide education, career and mental health and wellbeing counseling.
“This project from Trent is a perfect example of what can be achieved by players using their platform in a positive way. Pursuing a career in football brings unique challenges in terms of personal development and wellbeing,” said Maheta Molango, CEO of the PFA.
Source: HypeBeast, Daily Mail