Over the past year, I have worked with 18 clubs to help players and their families understand whether university is right for them. Whether this is while playing or when they have been released, university is an option young males are attracted to. According to PFA figures, higher education is attended by over 600 of their members per year. However, I have first-hand experience of how a move into higher education can turn into a nightmare, and it is not the fault of the player.
A gift for you and your friends 馃巵
I have launched a four-part online course, which builds on the live sessions I have been doing in clubs. It is for young players and their families to engage with and gives a clear set of frameworks to assess whether university is right for you.
Read next
Why the academy system is dead
While I believe the academy system will still be there in 20 or 30 years, and I see there are many good people working in it, it is outdated, misfocused and, in many cases, irrelevant.
Three Essential Lessons for New Football Scholars
A football scholarship isn鈥檛 just about the game; it is about growing into the kind of person who can thrive on and off the pitch throughout a career.
Punishment or Discipline? The Hidden Reality of Youth Football Training
Behind every professional prospect is a young person learning about themselves, the sport, and, of course, the world. Education and development should be built on support and growth, not fear and punishment. It is up to us to take control of that.