Ad of the Day: mental impact on youth players ‘dropped’ by football clubs laid bare
A harrowing short film from the non-profit organization Certified Sports details the impact of being dropped from a football club at a young age and the repercussions for players.
In ‘Dropped’, viewers hear firsthand about the realities of mental health issues that are prevalent in youth football. The abrupt rejection during a time when kids are vulnerable can often result in feelings of inadequacy and have a long-lasting impact.
More than three-quarters of academy players are let go between the ages of 13 and 16 and often this happens with no warning and little support. To put it bluntly, just 0.012% of academy players will ever turn professional.
Produced pro bono by House 337’s Rob Sanderson, the campaign is the brainchild of former Fulham FC academy player Max Noble, who was dropped at a young age after needing double knee surgery. With the project, it hopes that aftercare will be made a legal duty for all professional football academies
Credits
Director: Robert Sanderson
Cinematographer: Richard William Preisner
Production: House337
Producers: Kabir Malik, Max Noble, Robert Sanderson
Executive producer: Melody Sylvester
Post producer: Kabir Malik @ Kabbage
Editors: Rob Sanderson, Sam Hopkins
Colour: Alexandre Nerzic @ Big Buoy
Grade producer: Stacia Akaba @ Big Buoy
Sound design and composition: Jack Rowley @ Octa Audio
VFX: Brian Carbin and Joe West @ Stone Dogs
Design: Andy Mcguigan
Thanks: Sabrina May, Georgina Moxey, Ollie Campbell