Programme Spotlight: Wildcats
In the first of our monthly programme spotlights we are taking a closer look at Wildcats, the FA-funded programme aimed at engaging girls aged five to 11 in football.
We looked at what mental health is, how many people have mental health issues and why there are stigmas attached to mental health. We learned that a lot of people have undiagnosed mental health problems and they are scared to open up and ask for help because of this. The workshop gave me a wider understanding of poor mental health and the awareness to be able to recognise some of its signs.
Callum Hodgson, Foundation of Light Shildon Scholar"The workshop was very well received by the scholars and their coaches," added Neil. "It was a great opportunity for me to share the early research for my PhD proposal with a group of young footballers. "We've built a good relationship with the Foundation of Light and will be looking to deliver this to future cohorts of the Scholarship programme as well as to university-level and elite-level athletes in other sports." The ESRC Festival of Social Sciences began in 2002 and is designed to increase awareness of the social sciences among non-academics and young people, and their benefits to the wellbeing and the economy of UK society. Neil's PHD proposal focuses upon the management of mental health and psychological wellbeing in elite level football academies, with previous research indicating players suffer from a spectrum of conditions including low self-esteem/confidence, anger, substance misuse, stress anxiety and depression. Foundation of Light’s Football Scholarship gives 16-18 year olds the opportunity to represent Sunderland AFC and gain nationally recognised qualifications through an intensive football and education programme. Players have the opportunity to be recruited by professional and semi-professional football clubs; go on to higher education at home or abroad as well as pursuing careers in coaching, sports science, sports journalism or physiotherapy.
In the first of our monthly programme spotlights we are taking a closer look at Wildcats, the FA-funded programme aimed at engaging girls aged five to 11 in football.
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