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Understanding and Addressing Parental Concerns in a Professional Football Academy: A Pragmatic Case Study

Collins, Dave orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-7601-0454 and Taylor, Robin D orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-9530-8355 (2026) Understanding and Addressing Parental Concerns in a Professional Football Academy: A Pragmatic Case Study. School Psychology International, 8 (3). p. 40. ISSN 2813-9844

Abstract
This study explored parental concerns regarding their sons’ experiences in a professional football academy, using a case study methodology over a twelve-year period. Drawing on over 60 interviews with parenting pairs, the research identified that concerns were shaped by internal (e.g., personal beliefs), semi-internal (e.g., peer influence, agent input), and external (e.g., social media, educational trends) information sources. These sources often led to misaligned expectations between parents and the academy. The findings highlighted the prevalence of misinformation. In response, a series of targeted interventions were implemented, including structured communication strategies, shared mental models (SMMs), and a refined parent–academy code of conduct. These changes facilitated more integrated parent–athlete–coach relationships and improved clarity around developmental processes. Although causality cannot be established, the frequency of parental complaints decreased over time. This study emphasizes the need for academies to proactively engage parents as key stakeholders through clear, consistent, and evidence-informed communication, ultimately supporting a more coherent developmental experience for athletes. These findings have broad implications for talent development environments aiming to balance athlete and parent welfare with high-performance goals.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:parenting expertise; information grounds; integration; shared mental models; talent development; youth sport
Subjects:Medical Sciences > Performance
Medical Sciences > Psychology
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Health and Human Performance
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Psychology
Publisher:MDPI
Official URL:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9844/8/3/40
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:33172
Deposited On:10 Aug 2026 14:29 by Eimear Maher . Last Modified 10 Aug 2026 14:29
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