‘Things getting back’: compromising player welfare
Parents, guardians and others in the support network must take a vested interest in the holistic development of the person and not just them as a player. I would go as far as saying those groups need to be more focused on the development of the whole person than anything else.
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30-1 Shot
We might look at the high number of under-21 players used by Sunderland and think, this is a good place for a career. BUT, a further move or loan has been necessary for these players.
Moving the needle
The confidence of being on the pitch, present, in the moment, unshackled, unburdened, all because you have a plan, that is where performance peaks. That is how you shift the needle.
The first cut is the deepest
Biological age in a football academy refers to how physically developed a player is compared to their actual chronological age. What does the research say about the impact of this?