Player Experience During the Junior to Senior Transition in Professional Football: A Longitudinal Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the evolving perspectives of young players experiences going through the junior to senior transition in professional football. A primary objective was to adopt novel methods-weekly video diaries-to allow participants to control and report their own narratives as the transition unfolded over 40 weeks. Semi structured interviews, held at four time points, allowed the lead researcher to probe further on themes that were developing. Six participants from the academy volunteered to take part, but only the three who earned professional contracts completed the study. The primary themes in the academy were the pressure experienced waiting for the contract decision, and then preparation for senior football and the first team environment once contracts were awarded. Adaptation to senior football included not only increased physical and mental demands but also those related to the different style of play, the pressure to win, and how these both impacted decisionmaking. The football club set up two pathways to support this adaptation, loan moves and time with the U23's. In the following season, the move to the senior squad was characterized by a lack of opportunity to play for the first team, resulting in additional loan moves. These moves, and the associated perceived lack of support structures, led to the participants experiencing issues with their club identity, their motivation and their confidence. Internal (mindset) and external (social support) coping strategies were developed over the study's duration. Concluding comments from participants were related to greater acceptance of the need to be patient, perhaps reflecting on the club's reputation of giving young players a sound football education. These phases of the transition came with ups and downs for each participant illuminating key elements of the adaptation to senior competition, barriers to transition without early success, and social aspects of the transition. Enhanced detail to these key areas poses important questions for future research and applied practice.

Toward Improved Triadic Functioning: Exploring the Interactions and Adaptations of Coaches, Parents and Athletes in Professional Academy Soccer Through the Adversity of COVID-19

“…Carrying out multiple interviews would have allowed the researcher opportunities to build on information given in previous interviews and to further explore interactions and experiences with each member of the triad to help better capture triadic workings over a period of time ( Byrne, 2001 ). Furthermore, utilizing alternative methodologies such as daily diaries (e.g., written journal entries or audio voice notes) would have allowed for participants to reflect upon interactions with other members of the athletic triangle as they occurred and provided data in real time ( Swainston et al, 2020 ). Despite seeking variation in the sample of participants, those that volunteered to take part in the study may share common characteristics different to those parents who chose not to take part or who did not respond to the invitation sent out by the lead author.…”

“It’s all about opportunity”: From professional contract to first-team regular

“…During this phase, athletes seek to become part of the senior team and learn the requirements for senior sport (Pehrson et al, 2017). These outcomes are developed through the opportunity to train with the senior squad before the full-time transition (Morris et al, 2015;Swainston et al, 2020), via a process that seeks to reduce the perceived gap between junior and senior competition (Pehrson et al, 2017). Researchers have called for interventions aimed at reducing this gap by developing knowledge of the transition itself, educating players and parents, and using mentors to improve awareness of the demands (Drew et al, 2019;Morris et al, 2015).…”

“…As players transition to the senior environment full time, during the orientation phase, they look to find their role in the team and understand the requirements of senior competition (Pehrson et al, 2017). Fitting into the new senior environment comes with challenges such as a harsher, more competitive dynamic (Røynesdal et al, 2018;Swainston et al, 2020), and a contrast from the development centered approach often taken in youth sport (Drew et al, 2019;Morris et al, 2016b). Relationships with senior players are valuable for learning via mentoring during this phase (Morris et al, 2016b;Swainston et al, 2020) yet these same players are also seen as rivals for playing time (Røynesdal et al, 2018).…”

“…Fitting into the new senior environment comes with challenges such as a harsher, more competitive dynamic (Røynesdal et al, 2018;Swainston et al, 2020), and a contrast from the development centered approach often taken in youth sport (Drew et al, 2019;Morris et al, 2016b). Relationships with senior players are valuable for learning via mentoring during this phase (Morris et al, 2016b;Swainston et al, 2020) yet these same players are also seen as rivals for playing time (Røynesdal et al, 2018). Simultaneous to adjusting to the new environment, athletes need to adapt to the increased standard in training and competition (Morris et al, 2016b;Swainston et al, 2020).…”

“…Relationships with senior players are valuable for learning via mentoring during this phase (Morris et al, 2016b;Swainston et al, 2020) yet these same players are also seen as rivals for playing time (Røynesdal et al, 2018). Simultaneous to adjusting to the new environment, athletes need to adapt to the increased standard in training and competition (Morris et al, 2016b;Swainston et al, 2020). This adaptation requires physical development (Morris et al, 2015), tactical adjustments (Pehrson et al, 2017;Swainston et al, 2020), and psychological skills (Morris et al, 2016b;Swainston et al, 2020).…”