On the eve of grassroots football and training returning, the club has spoken to First Team player Jake Dickinson and Head of Academy Shane Pallett about the effect of lockdown, and in particular the effect on mental health.
According to the Professional Footballer’s Association, there has been a rise in the number of footballers in England seeking mental health support since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.
Players who previously relied on daily routines and enjoyed the company of their teammates had to remain at home. Many sportspeople up and down the country have been deprived of routine, purpose, and a competitive environment.
Our Head of Academy, Shane Pallett, has been keeping in regular contact with his development teams:
“The one thing that I have always tried to do is to treat players not just as footballers but as people and friends,” Pallett said, “During the lockdown I’ve always tried to keep updated in what’s happening around the players’ lives through Zoom calls, club player WhatsApp groups, as what’s happening away from football has an effect upon their lives. This has been totally opposite throughout lockdown as group conversations we’ve had together have been to concentrate on staying positive, sustaining high morale, all whilst waiting for a football return date.
“Trying to remove football from players’ lives is quite an impossible job, with this I’ve tried to put myself in the players’ shoes if a decision for a return is to be made, and also trying to think what the players would be thinking in any given moment in time.
“I found myself encouraging the lads to get out more and keep fit which contributed as a major step in maintaining players mental health. Getting out and getting active was so important, even 20 minutes a day, just getting outside is a big help through fitness, individual footie challenges, for instance kick up challenges. No matter what you do whether it’s light, moderate or vigorous, it was a way we thought could occupy their minds.
This has been very challenging time for everyone including coaches, players, families and our club supporters.”
First Team player Jake Dickinson spoke to us about how he has found the lockdown and the upcoming return of grassroots football.
“From a personal perspective, lockdown has been very hard to deal with, not playing football, seeing friends and family… the lack of football does get to you, for the simple reason your routine soon gets ruined, training twice a week and then having the games on a Saturday comes natural, however having the lockdown has impacted the change massively.”
Jake is looking forward to returning to training, “I feel positive about the start, I think getting back training with Adam and the rest of the team will have a big impact on the squad to get better. Knowing that we are back training will mean a lot of hard work and dedication will have to be put into each session to get back to match fit games.”
A return to football could result in a lot of focus on where players are at physically, but Jake agrees that the impact on mentality will be just as big.
“Mentally I think all football players will have a big relief, knowing that we’re back training and that friendlies are soon going to be under way. Being in lockdown has impacted and affected for many reasons: not being able to go to the gym, to go train with friends on a field or AstroTurf and last of all not playing at all. So, I think mentally it will be good for all players to be back to normal and regularly playing week in week out.”
The club this season has seen an increase in crowd size despite the pandemic. Having a large level of support can be a huge boost to the players.
“Having supporters has a big impact,” Jake said, “especially when they come to away games to see us play. The squad always respects and loves the fact they’ve come to watch us, but the chants are class, you can’t beat it at all!”
Development of a long-term strategy
Current and former footballers suffer more from symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general public, according to a Fifpro study. Wakefield AFC pledges to develop a long-term strategy to support players’ emotional wellbeing that should not be just a temporary measure due to the pandemic.
- Our Club Welfare Officer is planning on running some workshops for players to sign up to next season, one of these being around mental health.
- Our Club Chaplain provides pastoral care and support to not just the players and the staff but for anyone involved within the club.
- The club will undergo regular check ins with players.
- The club is working on a new mental health initiative using football to help those with poor mental health in the local community. More details will be revealed in due course.
If you need a listening ear, emotional support and advice, please check out this new, free mental health support line which can be accessed 24/7 by any adults (18+) registered with a GP in the area: New local 24 hour mental health helpline launched – Healthwatch Wakefield
Advice for parents/carers and professionals of under 18s can be accessed here: NSPCC: Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health