Dons leading the way in holistic development supporting UK Coaching Week

AFC Wimbledon’s Academy is celebrating a holistic coaching approach in what is often cast as a hyper-competitive and pressured environment in elite level football – instead working towards a child-first environment for their youngest players.

Less than one per cent of the 12,000 who play within the youth development system will end up earning a full-time living from football, and recent research on academy players releases found players reported a range of psychosocial effects associated with their release, and finding limited aftercare.

For UK Coaching Week, AFC Wimbledon Academy Manager Michael Hamilton expressed his support helping coaches out care at the heart of their approach, and the importance of developing players as people first and foremost. For this year’s celebration, UK Coaching is encouraging even more coaches to take a holistic approach, treating everyone as individuals with unique needs, strengths, and motivations.

Hamilton, below, explained: “The ethos we take is one of holistic coaching, because it is our duty and responsibility to develop our players as people, not just on the pitch.

“Ultimately, as very few can and will make it to be professional, and for many being a footballer is all they have known for many years, when that question comes of ‘what now?’ – coaches have a huge role to play in supporting and empowering young people.”

Wimbledon’s academy run a number of different programmes for their players including a development ‘camp’ for young pIayers to learn key life skills, how to manage themselves independently – essential when it comes to looking after their long term future. Hamilton added:

“Upon earning a scholar player produce their own development plans, where they are encouraged to think about what they can do to set themselves apart. I want to encourage all coaches, whatever your sport, however you approach your sessions, to think about those who need guidance, support and care and how you can see them as an individual who will benefit from wider development opportunity.

“Sport is all about just that – opportunity, to grow and excel whatever your path may be.”

During UK Coaching Week, participants and sports are being encouraged to share a special thank you to coaches that have made a positive difference, using #ThanksCoach and #UKCoachingWeek to unite the community in support of those who give so much to make sport and physical activity happen.

Mark Gannon, UK Coaching CEO, reflecting on the need to do more to celebrate great coaching, said: “We are excited to be celebrating UK Coaching Week earlier this year for 2024 – giving coaches the proper thanks and recognition they deserve cannot come soon enough. The needs, and workload of coaches are too often an afterthought in a system that needs to do more to see coaches as people too.

“This year is all about celebrating those taking a holistic coaching approach. We know that great coaching can change lives, and as coaches continue to deliver an incredibly positive impact across communities, often beyond sport and physical activity, we want to bring everyone together to express our heartfelt appreciation.

“As the leading voice of coaches across the UK, it is our responsibility to advocate for positive and welcoming environments within all forms of sport and physical activity delivery. Coaches show unwavering dedication to not only give their participants the edge they need to perform at their best, but also in nurturing individuals so they can develop and thrive in all aspects of their life.”

To find out how you can get behind UK Coaching Week click here.

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