The Premier League is committed to supporting Academy players throughout the football pyramid.
The League works to continually enhance its duty of care, ensuring that all individuals within the football community are able to thrive both on and off the pitch.
Through rigorous standards, comprehensive support systems and ongoing investment in welfare initiatives, the League aims to create a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment for everyone involved in the game.
Development programmes
Since Season 2017/18, the Premier League has run two development programmes within Academies to support Under-16 players and young professionals who are without a contract for the next season. Each programme delivers an elite training experience that provides players with football and elite performance preparation, personal development workshops and guidance on their next steps inside and outside football.
In Season 2021/22, these programmes were expanded to collaborate with the EFL and support more players in the U16 to U21 age groups. A three-year commitment of aftercare support is in place for all players released from clubs for the Professional Development Phase (U17 to U21 age groups).
This includes guidance on further and higher education opportunities, careers advice, alumni networks and the provision of mental and emotional wellbeing support.
Player care funding
As of Season 2022/23, there is a requirement for all Academies to have a full-time member of staff responsible for player care. To enable EFL clubs to fulfil this requirement, the Premier League provides £2 million per season to help fund staff salaries.
Premier League Futures
The Premier League Futures programme is a 12-month initiative for current and former Academy players with the aim of supporting careers in football beyond playing the game. The programme was launched in May 2022 with an initial pilot cohort of eight men and four women, all formerly part of Premier League, EFL or Women’s Super League Academies and aged 18 to 23. The programme also has a specific focus on improving the diversity of the workforce.
To date, Premier League Futures has supported 35 male and female players to date.
Education progress
The education offer for Academy players is continually expanding. More boys are taking part in A-level qualifications, receiving higher GCSE results and outstanding Apprenticeship results. In Season 2023/24, 91.2% of players achieved the highest distinction grade in their Apprenticeship – and one in five second-year scholars are studying for an A-level. This number has tripled in five years.