Coaches Evolving Beyond Sports to Mentor Young Athletes
The role of youth football coaches has significantly shifted, with many now dedicating substantial time to addressing the mental health concerns and negative online influences affecting young boys. Josh Paul, a 35-year-old founder of Fit 4 Football, shared that children are increasingly turning to him for support with issues amplified by social media and harmful societal expectations of masculinity.
Paul observes that some young players arrive at training sessions exhibiting worry, anxiety, and a distinct lack of confidence, often stemming from exposure to detrimental online content. His firsthand experiences align with recent research indicating a widespread impact of online culture on adolescent boys.
Research Highlights Online Pressures on Boys
A study commissioned by EE revealed that a significant portion of boys aged 11 to 16 regularly encounter messages urging them to suppress emotions or adopt a stoic demeanor. Specifically, 42% reported seeing content that promoted the idea of ‘manning up’ or hiding their feelings. Furthermore, 71% of these boys expressed feeling overwhelmed by the pressures they face on digital platforms.
The findings suggest that football is emerging as a crucial safe space where boys feel more comfortable expressing themselves. The research indicated that 78% of coaches have had children confide in them about personal matters outside of football. Reflecting this trend, 95% of coaches now view supporting children’s emotional well-being as an increasingly integral part of their coaching responsibilities.
Coaches as Mentors: A New Reality
“Over the past five years, I’ve found myself arriving at sessions as a mentor first, and a football coach second,” Paul stated. He contrasted this with his earlier coaching experiences, where a child’s distress might stem from a schoolyard disagreement. “Now, I have children who are reluctant to attend training because they’ve seen something online that has frightened or upset them, or told them they aren’t good enough.”
Paul admitted that when he initially started coaching, he never anticipated the role would extend beyond the sport itself. However, witnessing a child’s demeanor improve after receiving positive feedback or learning a new skill has become a powerful motivator. “When you have worked with a child and seen their face light up, when they’ve had some good news, when they’ve learned a new skill or when you’ve told them that they’re good enough, you then become addicted to that,” he explained.
Navigating Online Influence
Paul, based in London, highlighted that the pressures he addresses often originate online rather than on the pitch. He drew a parallel to his own adolescence: “When I was 13, if someone popped up on my algorithm who looked quite cool and muscular and told me I needed to go to the gym, I’m probably going to listen to that person.” His primary message to young people is one of reassurance: “The biggest thing I tell children is, ‘You’ll be fine. You’ll be alright’. Sometimes that’s exactly what they need to hear.”
New Campaign Aims to Support Young Men
In response to these challenges, EE has launched a new campaign named Yes Boys, timed to coincide with the upcoming tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. A key component of this initiative is the Mentor Badge, designed to assist parents, coaches, and young people in navigating the complexities of growing up in the digital age.
Former England footballer Theo Walcott, also a father of two, emphasized the significant influence of the football environment on character development. “Now, as a dad, I’m even more aware of the pressures boys face, especially online,” Walcott said. “Football gives boys a space to express themselves, build resilience and learn from positive role models. That’s why Yes Boys is so important in helping the next generation grow with confidence.”
Coaches as Key Influencers in Masculinity Development
EE’s research also indicated that 71% of parents whose sons play sports believe a football coach holds as much, or more, influence on their son’s understanding of masculinity than the internet. Only 14% of parents felt that online content had a greater impact than a coach.
Football as a Trusted Space for Emotional Support
Professor Ben Hine, Professor of Applied Psychology at the University of West London, stated, “Football may now be one of the few trusted spaces where boys feel emotionally safe.” He elaborated, “Sport creates a sense of belonging and community that allows boys to open up in ways they might not elsewhere. The fact that so many boys are speaking to coaches shows they are yearning for positive male role models. The challenge is making sure those role models are there.”
Both Paul and Professor Hine urged that potential volunteers should not be deterred from participating in youth sports. Paul advised, “As a coach, you just need to listen and be someone that young people know they can talk to. I’m going to help children not make some of the mistakes that I made.”
Professor Hine added, “You don’t need to be a registered therapist to change a child’s life. Most of the time it’s about providing a safe space, listening without judgement and helping young people feel they belong. As the online world has become stronger, we need to make the offline world stronger too. Thank goodness Josh went into coaching because voices like his are so important.”
He concluded by highlighting the contagious nature of positive impact. “Volunteering and making a difference in kids’ lives is really infectious. Once you start doing it, it’s amazing the difference that we can make. For most of these kids, it’s about belonging, it’s about interaction, it’s about friendship and actually this is the power of football and those other offline spaces to do that. And it’s amazing that we’ve got people like Josh and hopefully other people inspired to come and work with young people more and more because we need it more than ever.”
