Unlocking Mental Health and Wellbeing in an English Premier League Football Academy using Lego® Serious Play®.

Abstract

1 Purpose / Rationale This study examines the mental health and wellbeing challenges facing young male players in an English Premier League (EPL) football academy. 2 Design / Methodology / Approach The study utilises a creative multi-sensory methodology, Lego® Serious Play®, where the focus is upon the Lego® (method) and not the individual footballer (subject). Data was collected from academy footballers, in the Under-14 age group. 3 Findings The results highlight anxieties surrounding the academy registration and progression process within Association Football. Themes focus upon (i) ambition and achievement, (ii) overcoming obstacles, (iii) metaphors for success, (iv) continuous improvement, (v) faith and optimism, and (vi) pushing limits to overcome the impossible. 4 Practical Implications The practical outcomes demonstrate that mental health and wellbeing conversations can be unlocked through play-based approaches. The practical outcomes demonstrate wider potential across various sport and leisure settings, including high-performance sport environments. 5 Research Contribution The study highlights the potential of using Lego® Serious Play® as a creative experiential methodology to better understand mental health issues in sport and leisure settings. 6 Originality / Value This is the first study to use the Lego® Serious Play® methodology in the context of managing sport and leisure organisations.