Being a professional football player for over 17 years, I understand the process and pressures, and the highs and lows that come with a football career.  

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At MK Mentoring, we have a team of ex-professional footballers who are qualified mentors to coach academy players that have the ability and talent, but maybe lack the focus and/or attitude due to other outside factors that can distract them, such as the glitz and glamour and the ego some players can develop when they join an academy.

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We see so many talented young footballers that don't make it because they lacked a role model to help navigate them through the process and keep them grounded.  We now see that clubs are investing in their players through the mentoring programme to get the best out of them. 

 

There are no barriers to the way we work, and we can facilitate the mentoring in numerous ways - such as gym sessions, in-person or online coaching, at the academy or wherever is the best environment to get the best out of the player. 

 

Adopting a holistic approach, we'll also work on other aspects that can affect player's mental health, for example - dealing with racism and other forms of discrimination, rejection and even helping to get players to understand the unexpected issues that can arise and how to divert to an alternative career if needed, for example through injury, or release from a club.

 

We're supporting academies to get their best return on their investments in young players, and to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities towards those who may not make it.