THE PLAYER CARE OF TODAY
Following on from our last blog which explored the history of Player Care, we now move on to look at the Player Care of today; undoubtedly the most exciting period for this profession. Within the ever-shifting landscape of football, the concept of Player Care is gaining increasing prominence. Clubs now far more readily recognise the multifaceted nature of their players' lives and the imperative of addressing their personal and emotional needs. This shift represents a significant departure from historical approaches that often overlooked the off-field aspects of a player's life, as we discussed previously.
The Rise of Player Care Staff
In recent years, the role of Player Care Staff within football clubs has become increasingly prominent, reflecting a progressive shift in how clubs perceive and prioritise Player Care. This transformation is rooted in a deeper understanding within the football community that a player's happiness off the pitch is just as critical as their physical condition for on-pitch performance.
It is fantastic to see football recognising and acknowledging that the footballers, whilst integral to the sport, are human individuals with lives and emotions beyond the pitch. It is widely agreed that generally a player who is content, happy, and with minimal off pitch distractions is more likely to demonstrate higher levels of motivation, concentration, and performance during training and matches. This realisation has led clubs to invest in specialised personnel like Player Care Officers to effectively manage these aspects as well as experts in Sports Psychology and more.
Clubs & Player Care Officers
Player Care Officers have emerged as invaluable assets for football clubs because they are dedicated to removing distractions off the pitch and providing proactive support and mental health signposting if needed. In top-tier clubs there are now often several dedicated Player Care staff catering to the needs of the first team. We’re also seeing Category 1 clubs now moving to phase specific or even age group specific Player Care staff, which is far above the minimum levels required by the EPPP audit but still increases the quality of care given to those players. In England, second, third, and even fourth-tier football clubs now also employ Player Care staff to play a crucial role in enhancing on-pitch performance by safeguarding players off the field and giving them necessary life skills to help them in later life.
You may see a variety of job titles in the Player Care sector across LinkedIn or elsewhere. Among these roles now are a Head of Player Care, who may oversee the overall strategy and implementation of Player Care initiatives. Clubs then often employ additional First Team Player Care Officers, who provide direct support and guidance to senior squad members. In the academy setups, staff may serve as an 'Head of Academy Player Care’, working with the ‘Head of Safeguarding’, focusing more on upholding the safety and welfare of all youth players, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and policies concerning minors in football.
In addition to these key roles, other staff members may have duties revolving around Player Care, such as Media Managers who help players navigate the complexities of public attention and social media scrutiny while safeguarding their personal and professional reputations.
In some modern cases, football national governing bodies, such as the Premier League and MLS, have also recognised the significance of Player Care and have taken proactive measures to ensure its implementation across clubs. They now employ individuals tasked with monitoring and visiting clubs to assess the standard of Player Care being provided. By holding clubs accountable for the quality of player care they offer, governing bodies reinforce the refreshing opinion that Player Care is a fundamental aspect of the sport, deserving of diligent attention and oversight.