1 – 2 December St. George’s Park

The role of Identity during critical moments in professional football: A Case study approach(D1.S3.4 1) Tom Mitchell @tom_mitch3 1 – 2 December St. George’s Park

Intro – Critical Moments A strong, flexible, clear sense of self may be most suitable for young players to meet their potential (Balague, 1999, Nesti & Littlewood, 2011). English professional football has been described as; domineering, authoritarian, uncertain and often volatile (Parker, 2001; Roderick, 2006; Nesti, et al 2012). Positive situations may typically include; gaining a professional contract, winning a cup competition, playing consistently well. Negative situations include deselction and subsequent exit from the football club], injury, non-selection for matches, family and relationship difficulties (Nesti & Littlewood, 2011, Nesti et al, 2013, Nesti, 2013).

Theoretical Framework Erikson’s (1968) 8 Stages of psychosocial development. Identity develops through a combination of biological maturity, societal expectation, and experience of life so far and relationships made. There have been calls for the work of Erikson to be used as a theoretical lens in the sport psychology literature; N. American student athletes (Brewer and Cornelius, 2001), Transition (Nesti and Littlewood, 2011), Mental Toughness (Crust, 2008). Series of crises & resolutions in which must be experienced on the way to Identity Achievement Players in an academy from 5 years old may not develop a strong Identity / Identity Achivement

Aims To understand the range of critical moments faced by players at different stages of a footballing career. To gain a critical understanding of how long term exposure to professional football environment influence the formation of a healthy identity.

Methods Several interviews over one season Semi-ethnographic elements (Hammersley & Atkinson, 2007) Weekly visits to the club Field notes (Faulkner and Sparkes, 2009) Observations Just being around 1 x Senior pro (10 yrs club captain) (Robbi) 1 x EDS – who got released (Kevin) 1 x 2nd year – who gained a pro (Ryan) 1 x 2nd year – who didn’t (Jason)

Critical moments and common themes Fights between players who are rivals for a playing position Non selection when fit + lack of feedback Deselection + exit + lack of feedback Receiving a professional contract New Manager, new position – 6 months before decision time New Manager, frozen out the team and trained with other squads Further support of the uncertain and insecure nature of a footballing career but now seen at several levels of the game. Footballers live in hope and use it as a tool for coping. Use their sense of self to draw upon their values and authenticity – if they knew themselves.

Conclusions and Recommendations The football career path does not allow players to progress though the 8 stages of Psychosocial development in line with Erikson’s suggestions. As a result players may be more susceptible to psychological disruption during times of challenge (Which are daily!) Longitudinal studies in Identity formation and development. Greater use of Erikson’s work in career transition research. Use of Erikson's work in supporting helping to develop players in the Academy System. Creation of programmes to support personal and social development of player identity.

Indicative References Balalgue, G. (1999). Understanding Identity, Value and Meaning when working with elite athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 13, 89-98. Corlett, J. (1996). Virtue Lost: Courage in Sport. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport, 45-57. Csikszentmiahalyi, M. (1997). Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. NY, Harper Perennial. Erikson, E.H. (1968). Identity, Youth and Crisis, New York, Norton.

Nesti, M.S (2004). Existential psychology and sport: Implications for research and practice. London: Routledge. Nesti, M.S. (2007). Persons and players. In Sport and Spirituality: an introduction (Eds.) Parry, J., Nesti, M.S., Robinson, S. and Watson, N. London Ruotledge, pp 7-21. Nesti, M.S. Littlewood, M.A., (2011). Making your way in the game: Boundary situations in England’s professional football world. In critical essays in Applied Sport Psychology. (Eds) D. Gilbourne and M.B. Andersen. Leeds: Human Kinetics. Parker, A. (2001). Soccer, servitude and sub-cultural identity: Football traineeship and masculine construction. Soccer and Society, 2 (1) pp 59-80.

The role of Identity during critical moments in professional football: A Case study approach(D1.S3.4 1) Tom Mitchell @tom_mitch3 1 – 2 December St. George’s Park