Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold launches ‘The After Academy’ project
Trent Alexander-Arnold launches ‘The After Academy’ project to help aspiring young footballers who fail at clubs…
- The Liverpool defender tried to understand the stories of those rejected by academies
- He was shocked by the impact of his release on their education and health
- Alexander-Arnold has now started his own initiative to help those who have been let go
Trent Alexander-Arnold was a young boy with stars in his eyes who realized his dream of becoming a world class footballer for the club he loved.
But the Liverpool and England star knows his story is not common. The road from Academy football to the Premier League often ends in crushing disappointment for the teenagers trying to make it and Alexander-Arnold saw firsthand the pain rejection can cause.
That’s why the 24-year-old has made a significant personal investment to launch ‘The After Academy Initiative’ – the plan, which will be supported by Liverpool, the PFA, Under Armor and Therabody, is designed to support those players released from clubs.
Alexander-Arnold – who was outstanding in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over West Ham on Wednesday – put out a question on social media last year to players who had slipped into the wilderness after leaving the Academies and wanted to understand their stories.
He was alarmed by the amount of correspondence he received from young men who said their education and mental health had been affected by the disappointment of being adrift, and it made him determined to do something to help.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has set up an initiative to help aspiring young footballers rejected by club academies
Alexander-Arnold tweeted a video in which he introduces his project together with Steven Gerrard
He is determined to help the 99 percent who don’t make it to the top of football
Alexander-Arnold has spoken to many people for guidance, including Liverpool Academy director Alex Inglethorpe, who was particularly passionate about the idea. as fulfilling.
“I’ve loved my time at the Liverpool Academy, it’s given me everything I have today and I’m so thankful to be in the position I’m in,” said Alexander-Arnold.
“That feeling of lifting trophies for your youth club is magical and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
“But if things hadn’t turned out the way they did, I could have been one of those told the dream is over. I’m lucky I don’t know what that conversation is like, but I know from my friends and other former players how hard it is and how tough it can be.
“I’m proud of this program because it seems to give a new chance to those who didn’t make it, and I hope it’s just a first step towards a brighter future for these young players.”
The platform will go live later this year and Maheta Molango, CEO of the PFA said: ‘As a players’ union, we are always committed to helping our members use their influence and their networks to make a difference on issues that matter to them.
“This project from Trent is a perfect example of what players can achieve by using their platform in a positive way. Pursuing a football career presents unique challenges in terms of personal development and well-being.
“Helping players plan for their future is central to the work of the PFA. We are thrilled to be working with Trent and look forward to being part of his journey with The After Academy.”
Alexander-Arnold was outstanding as Liverpool continued their resurgence with a 2-1 win at West Ham