Breaking the Silence: Former Footballer Alistair Patrick-Heselton Urges Young Players to Openly Address Mental Health

Former professional footballer Alistair Patrick-Heselton emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive environment for discussing mental health among aspiring professional players.

As part of National Inclusion Week, which centers around the theme 'Take Action Make Impact', we accompanied Patrick-Heselton as he addressed the U18s squad of QPR academy. He tackled the topic of exploring alternative pathways and highlighted the potential psychological effects of being deselected or released if their aspirations of becoming professional footballers do not materialize.

"It is crucial, especially for young athletes, to consider their future beyond football," Patrick-Heselton expresses to We.

"I encourage them to envision what lies ahead. I am constantly striving to educate young individuals, as well as the wider population, to realize their full potential and grasp the concept that when one opportunity closes, another one inevitably emerges. The key is to maintain a positive attitude and remain observant, recognizing the doors that present themselves and comprehending that they have the power to determine their own path."

Patrick-Heselton was a promising footballer who went on to represent Team GB at the Paralympic Games. His life story is one of perseverance and determination.

Image:

Patrick-Heselton made his debut for Team GB at the 2011 Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) Championships

Beginning his career at Wycombe Wanderers as a young player, he was quickly signed by Queen's Park Rangers. Excelling at the U17 level and making multiple appearances for the reserve team, he unfortunately endured a serious cruciate ligament injury.

Following his time at various clubs, Patrick-Heselton decided to pursue both semi-professional football and a career in quantity surveying. However, in 2006, he experienced a tragic car accident which resulted in the loss of his best friend, a fractured skull, and a two-month coma.

After regaining consciousness, he received the devastating news that he may never be able to walk again, seemingly marking the end of his football career. However, four years later, he received a call from Lyndon Lynch, the then-England and Team GB Paralympic coach, who urged him to attempt a tryout for the Cerebral Palsy (CP) team. This team consisted of individuals with cerebral palsy and other brain injuries.

Having joined the team, Patrick-Heselton made his first appearance for Team GB at the 2011 Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) Championships. He played a pivotal role leading up to the final of the 2012 Paralympic World Cup, and ultimately represented Team GB at the Paralympic Games just four months later.

Now in 2023, standing in front of the QPR academy players, Patrick-Heselton recollects his time at the club.

Image:

Patrick-Heselton spoke to QPR academy's U18s squad about the prospect of considering a different pathway from football

"When I was in your shoes as a youngster here, we had a representative from the PFA visit us. They informed us that not everyone would succeed. In fact, only one of you will make it, and it won't necessarily be as a footballer. Hearing that talk left me feeling disappointed," he addressed more than 15 academy players.

"I hope that after listening to what I have to say today, observing our activities, and considering what you will do in the upcoming weeks, you will feel more inspired about your futures. Whether it's in football, another field, or both, there are no limitations on what you can achieve."

Research conducted at Brunel University reveals that 98 percent of individuals granted an academy scholarship by English clubs at the age of 16 are no longer participating in the highest five tiers of English football by the time they reach 18. Micah Hyde, a former midfielder for Cambridge, Watford, and Burnley, currently serving as the head coach for QPR U18s, underscores the crucial significance of individuals like Patrick-Heselton in enlightening players about the potential challenges they may face in their journey and emphasizing the importance of their education.

Image:

Patrick-Heselton currently serves as a mentor, engaging in conversations with upcoming talents in the game, discussing alternative career options and the emotional repercussions of being released from an academy.

"The presence of individuals like Alistair, interacting with academy players, holds immense significance. Sharing their own journey and personal encounters can undoubtedly enhance the experiences of the players he engages with. By impacting even a single individual in that room, he has the potential to transform someone's life, whether it be within the span of an hour, half an hour, or just 15 minutes."

The impact of one's words is crucial, especially when they are spoken sincerely and reflect authentic personal experiences. This kind of heartfelt communication is sure to strike a chord with the audience present.

For a multitude of individuals, the aspiration of becoming a professional footballer represents a lifelong dream, while for others, the lucrative opportunities presented by esteemed clubs offer a means to uplift their entire family from disadvantaged circumstances. It is within this high-stakes environment that those players who are not chosen or released from an academy may encounter significant consequences on their mental well-being.

Fifty-five percent of players released from academies experienced clinical levels of psychological distress within 21 days, as revealed by the statistics provided by Abertay University in Dundee.

Starting June 2022, the Premier League has implemented new guidelines mandating that all Premier League and English Football League clubs provide a three-year 'commitment of support' to academy players upon their release.

Patrick-Heselton stated to We News that it is the club's responsibility to take care of the players they sign.

As a young footballer, I never felt comfortable sharing any problems or mental health issues with my team-mates before my car accident. I always felt isolated. The club needs to promote a more positive message, encouraging young players to perform at their peak and fostering an environment where they can excel and achieve success.

Deselection can have various negative effects on a player, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD (flashback to the deselection), low self-esteem, loss of confidence, and feelings of humiliation or embarrassment.

The management of academies has undergone significant changes in the last decade. The shift is now towards providing better education and support to players in their transition away from football if they are no longer part of the team. Additionally, efforts have been intensified to ensure the mental and physical well-being of the players.

By June 2022, the Premier League implemented new directives mandating all Premier League and English Football League clubs to offer a three-year "commitment of support" to academy players who have been released.

"I believe the term is 'accountable'," stated Hyde.

"We work with young individuals, and while our primary objective is to develop them into professional footballers, my main focus is equipping these young people with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed beyond their time in our program. Over the years, there has been a notable enhancement in recognizing and addressing the mental health and well-being of players since I myself was actively playing.

"In the past, there were no psychologists available at the academy, but now they are present, along with other individuals whom players can approach for support. It is beneficial to discuss this topic as it can positively impact the players, and I am pleased to see clubs and individuals becoming aware of the importance of supporting young individuals to prevent them from feeling like failures if they do not progress in their football careers."

In April, Trent Alexander Arnold, a player from Liverpool, introduced The After Academy. This initiative aims to offer career prospects to former academy players who desire to pursue alternative career paths beyond professional football.

Image:

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold launched The After Academy in April, which Patrick-Heselton hailed as the ultimate initiative for aspiring young football players.

In Trent, we witness a shining example of a highly skilled individual. When a young player observes this, they might ponder, "If Trent can achieve such greatness, even at his level, then I must truly consider my own post-academy journey without any excuses."