Do youth soccer academies provide developmental experiences that prepare players for life beyond soccer? A retrospective account in the United Kingdom.

The professionalisation of soccer academies has intensified, with youth players exposed to demanding performance focused environments in pursuit a career the professional game. Yet, are also under increasing pressure show that they develop who can function life beyond soccer. Therefore, this study explored retrospective views 13 ex-elite UK academy on whether their time within provided developmental experiences prepared them for We interviewed seven successfully progressed into contracts and six did not. Players were recruited from two different explore outcomes associated involvement unpick how those achieved. Our findings showed that, promisingly, both contracted non-contracted transferable skills as well open educational vocational doors – resulting majority leaving environment being ‘(more) ready’ life. However, these not ‘automatic’ highly dependent interaction between three contextual themes; i) what was demanded by context, ii) encouraged iii) quality interpersonal relationships. Beyond this, players’ attitudes, histories wider socio-contextual influences important shaping (future) outcomes. With an eye providing worthwhile all athletes involved, provide insight contexts simultaneously promote alongside positive Keywords: elite soccer, , Positive Youth Development, skills, dual career, Talent identification development system