University of Worcester Performance Analysis’ Post

🚩 A Call to Action: Supporting Our Young Referees 🚩 In recent times, a concerning trend has emerged in the world of sports—a significant number of young, promising referees are stepping away from the field. The reason? A disheartening level of abuse that no one should have to endure. Refereeing is more than just a job; it's a passion, an avenue for young individuals to learn invaluable life skills such as leadership, decision-making, and resilience. Yet, the increasing incidents of verbal and sometimes physical abuse are overshadowing these benefits, leading to a decline in their participation. This is not just a loss for the sports they leave behind but a stark reflection of the challenges we face in fostering a respectful, encouraging environment for our youth. As players, coaches, parents, and sports enthusiasts, we have a collective responsibility to nurture a supportive atmosphere that values the contribution of young referees. #RespectReferees #FairPlay #SupportOurRefs

It is cool when my professional and family life collide. At the weekend I watched my nephew (well, my cousin Michael Wilson's eldest son) James Wilson score a late equaliser in the Edinburgh derby. At 17 and having now scored his second goal for the first team in two appearances, he is living the young footballer dream. It is important to recognise that this transition from Academy star (chased by a lot of Scottish, English and European clubs) to B-Team and now first team is certainly not easy. Even for someone like James who is thriving, there have been difficult periods and the future is still uncertain. I have been lucky enough to do some research examining this transition in a football academy with Scott Swainston and Martin I. Jones. Scott used really cool methods - organising weekly video diaries with academy players awaiting their professional contracts over 40 weeks. The research revealed how crucial psychological factors are - specifically how young players handle adversity, maintain motivation, and balance social support systems. Most interestingly, it showed that successful academy graduates weren't just the most talented, but those who developed strong coping mechanisms and had stable support networks. To every parent and young player out there pursuing this dream: while only about 0.012% of academy players make it to professional football, this research shows it's not just about natural talent. It's about building resilience, having strong support systems, and maintaining that delicate balance between dedication and wellbeing. Watching James embody these findings has been brilliant (as a psychologist ... and more importantly, uncle!). Check out this interview with James in an article by Fraser Wilson which touches on some some of the issues we found in our paper - including the importance of support of senior players; to managing expectations and making tough decisions about whether to move; to the reality of having to go home after the game and do his homework! https://lnkd.in/enthU-mi #HeartsFC #EdinburghDerby #FootballAcademy #YouthDevelopment #ScottishFootball #FootballFamily #HMFC"

Unlocking Football's Future: Strategic Insights from Europe's Leading Youth Football Centers 🌟(Part 1/3) Exciting insights emerged from extensive surveys conducted across 65 European Youth Academies spanning from 2021 to 2023 by European Club Association (ECA). Here are key insights that not only reflect current industry practices but also offer a glimpse into the future trajectory of football talent development: 🔄 Staff Development: Traditionally, staff performance in youth academies has been largely assessed based on sporting achievements. However, there's a pressing need to shift this paradigm towards prioritizing player development. Highly effective academies in Europe are leading the way by emphasizing this crucial aspect, yielding better player outcomes. 📊 Comprehensive Evaluation: Effective management necessitates a comprehensive evaluation framework. Surprisingly, only 45% of surveyed academies incorporate a thorough assessment of the homegrown players' market value in their decision-making processes. There's substantial room for growth in implementing such evaluations to drive strategic decisions. 🔮 Embracing Long-term Vision: Forward-thinking is imperative in youth development. Alarmingly, only 40% of youth academies demonstrate the capacity to think and act strategically beyond a four-year horizon. Embedding long-term strategies into academy frameworks is essential for sustainable youth development. 📝 Share your thoughts: How can we enhance player development? Comment below! #YouthDevelopment #FootballTalent #IntelligencePlatform #SportsManagement #ClubManagement #AthleteManagementSystem

🌟 VSS (Virtual Soccer Schools) Empowers Grade 4 Boys from ACS International Schools with #PremierLeague Superstar Alex Iwobi from Fulham Football Club! On February 29th, 2024, VSS (Virtual Soccer Schools) hosted an impactful session with Grade 4 Boys from ACS International Schools, ushering them into a world of #inspiration, #resilience, and #teamwork. With a total of 40 enthusiastic students, aged between 9 to 10 years old, the session delved into crucial topics ranging from tackling bullying to fostering a winning football mentality, all while addressing the challenges of #OnlineAbuse. Key Discussion Points: #Bullying and #Resilience: Alex Iwobi, Nigerian international and Fulham Football Club player, shared candidly about his personal journey, including facing online bullying from fans following a challenging performance in the final of this year’s AFCON. Despite the adversity, Iwobi drew strength from his support system, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-belief in overcoming setbacks. #Teamwork and #Respect: Reflecting on his upbringing in the Arsenal academy, Iwobi emphasized the value of teamwork and respect. He underscored the significance of treating everyone with respect, highlighting that team success is built upon a foundation of mutual respect and camaraderie. Navigating #Challenges: Transitioning from Arsenal to Everton presented Iwobi with a significant hurdle. However, he expressed gratitude towards Everton for their support in integrating him into the team and overcoming initial struggles. His experience exemplifies the resilience required to adapt to new environments and thrive amidst challenges. Football #Mentality and #Fear: Iwobi imparted invaluable wisdom on cultivating a winning football mentality, emphasizing the importance of giving one's all on the pitch regardless of the outcome. Addressing his biggest footballing fear, Iwobi shared his introspective journey of self-assessment and readiness to represent his team at the highest level. Tackling #SocialMedia: In navigating the complexities of social media, Iwobi stressed the importance of connecting with his immediate family for motivation and inspiration, highlighting the power of positive relationships amidst the noise of online platforms. The VSS session with ACS International Schools and Alex Iwobi exemplifies the power of sports in shaping character, fostering resilience, and inspiring the next generation of young athletes. Through meaningful discussions and personal anecdotes, students were empowered to embrace challenges, cultivate teamwork, and navigate the digital landscape with confidence and integrity. Huge shoutout to Edem Spio, MSc (VSS African Correspondent) for his incredible work in creating this piece! #VirtualSoccerSchools #ACSInternationalSchools #AlexIwobi #SportsEmpowerment #FootballMentality #SocialMediaEtiquette Jen Baguley Robyne Simpson Graeme Lawrie MBE Barnaby Sandow Lauren Kelley Matt Constable Jakob van de Flierdt

𝗕𝗤 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 🤝 BQ’s Positive Behaviour Framework has proven to be a game-changer, creating a safer and more respectful environment for officials and volunteers across the state. The framework was established to counter negative spectator behavior, inappropriate comments, and lack of respect for officials. Since inception, it has contributed to improved retention rates and a surge in new sign-ups, affirming BQ's commitment to further developing the framework to keep pace the growth of basketball in Queensland. 📰 Read the full report below 👇

Challenges Faced by Volunteer Football Coaches in Australia  Volunteer football coaches are the backbone of grassroots sports, especially in children's football across Australia. However, they face several unique challenges in their roles:  Lack of Formal Training: Many volunteer coaches have little or no formal training. Balancing the development of children’s skills while ensuring the game remains fun and inclusive can be difficult without the proper coaching training and support.  Time Management: Juggling personal commitments with coaching duties can be overwhelming. Volunteers often have full-time jobs and families, making it challenging to dedicate enough time for team preparation, training sessions, and match days.  Managing Parents’ Expectations: Dealing with parents can be a delicate task. Some parents may have high expectations regarding their child’s playing time, progress, or performance, which can put additional pressure on coaches, especially those who are still learning themselves.  Limited Resources: Community football clubs often operate with limited funding. This means coaches may not have access to quality equipment, facilities, or advanced training tools, impacting the overall experience for both the coach and the players.  Player Engagement: In an age of digital distractions, keeping kids motivated and engaged on the field requires creativity. Coaches need to continually find new ways to make training enjoyable and ensure that young players remain committed to the sport.  Despite these challenges, volunteer coaches remain the heart of children’s football in Australia. Their passion and dedication help instil a love for the game and strengthen community spirit. Providing these volunteers with better support, training, and resources would significantly improve the football experience for young players across the nation.  #GrassrootsFootball #VolunteerCoaching #AustralianFootball #YouthSports  #NXTGENFootball 

Invest in Academy football 🇮🇪⚽️ ? A player development system do we really understand this in 🇮🇪⚽️? Do owners of LOI clubs really understand or care about the importance of a player development system in 🇮🇪⚽️ Why is it more important to add a player to a already big squads rather than employ another full time coach to help the future of 🇮🇪⚽️ or maybe make that young Academy player full time ?

What Should Be the Focus for African Football Academies? As African football academies continue to develop the next generation of football stars, there are critical areas we must focus on to ensure our players can compete at the highest levels in Europe and beyond. While raw talent is abundant, honing that talent requires a more structured approach. Here are some key areas of focus and improvement: Mentality The mindset of a player is everything. Instilling a winning mentality early on—encouraging resilience, discipline, and professionalism—helps players maintain focus under pressure. The mentality gap often differentiates good players from great players, and in order to succeed in Europe, African players need to be mentally tough both on and off the pitch. Psychology Player psychology plays an essential role in dealing with the highs and lows of football. Training young athletes to handle challenges, such as injury setbacks, competition, and adaptation to new environments, is vital. A strong mental game is just as important as physical skill, and psychological support should be embedded in academy curriculums. Football Education Beyond physical ability, players need to have a deep tactical understanding of the game. Focusing on football IQ—reading the game, positioning, decision-making, and understanding different football systems—can make players more versatile and adaptable to different styles of play, something essential in European football. Exposure Providing regular exposure to competitive environments outside the continent is crucial. European youth players are constantly tested in high-stakes matches, and African academies must seek similar opportunities for their players to gain experience against top-tier talent. Participation in international tournaments, collaborations with European clubs, and regular talent showcases are key to bridging the gap. Facilities & Infrastructure Investment in quality facilities and modern training methods is equally important. Players in Europe often have access to state-of-the-art training facilities, recovery tools, and advanced data analysis to improve performance. African academies should strive to provide players with access to similar resources. This is why our newly formed consortium is set to be a game changer. We are opening the doors to partners who are ready to embark on the journey of establishing Africa’s biggest Football Centre of Excellence. 🌍⚽ We believe this initiative will redefine talent development across the continent, providing young players with everything they need to compete on a global stage—from world-class training to invaluable international exposure. This is an opportunity to be part of Africa’s football revolution. 🚀 #AfricanFootball #FootballAcademies #TalentDevelopment #FootballPsychology #SportsManagement #CentreOfExcellence #PartnershipOpportunities

A scoping review of coach-parent interactions and relationships across youth sport settings. What does an ideal parent-coach partnership look like? The research points to a few key elements: - Open Communication - Respect and Trust - Common Goals #YouthSports

STARTING THIS SUNDAY! ............FREE WORKSHOPS! We are the only Football Education Provider with a try-before-you-buy policy. As we grow as a company, with many similar programs popping up on the market, we have decided to give away free workshops. This allows you to test our products to see the outstanding quality of our delivery, materials, and methodology. Our next FREE workshops series is on the 30th June and 1st of July from 7 to 8-30 pm UK time followed by a Q & A, lasting no longer than 30 minutes. A total of 2 hours from each workshop gives you a real understanding of what IPSO brings to the table. A total of 4 hours worth of scouting and analysis will give you a great understanding of what the job entails. Workshop 1: Bias in Scouting Bias within scouting is a great topic when looking at players or teams. With or without a trained eye, you will be surprised how easy it is to slip into the biases you come across within the game. We will share our experiences and thoughts on how to stop ourselves from being biased. Our specially trained tutors will guide you through the process with experiences and stories to stop you from making mistakes before they happen. Workshop 2: Youth Scouting In this workshop, we will show you old and new observation skills and scouting techniques. Our specialist seasoned professionals will show you how to scout youth players from the early stages, so you follow the correct procedures. We will show videos and give you anecdotes on ways to scout young players in the modern game. After the two free workshops, you are under no obligation to continue with IPSO. In return, you receive a worldwide certification from IPSO with CPD points for Workshop 1. If you would like to carry on, you can book the remainder of the Series which consists of Workshop 3: First Team Scouting and Workshop 4: Match Reporting. If you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected] or call WhatsApp +447980114048. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eF3ieRkC Next Course - Level 4 First Team Scouting Course tonight starting at 6 pm. #personaldevelopment #jobs #education #recruitment #football