An investigation of the cultural sensitivities and challenges associated with working in an elite male English football academy’s multidisciplinary teams.

Abstract

Elite football academies depend on multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs)to facilitate player development, yet the cultural sensitivities andoperational challenges faced by these teams remain inadequatelyexplored. This study presents a rigorous ethnographic investigationinto the lived experiences of MDT staff within an English PremierLeague Category One academy, providing novel insights into thecomplexities of interdisciplinary collaboration in this high-performance environment. Over 13 months, data were gatheredthrough 81 interviews with MDT-facing staff and observations of 147MDT meetings spanning 160 hours, augmented by the researcher’sethnographic experiences and reflections as an MDT-facing academysport psychologist. An inductive thematic analysis identified five keythemes that define the MDT experience: (1) Rhythm of the Season,which explores how the cyclical nature of elite football influencesMDT priorities and decision-making; (2) Staff Diversity, which extendsbeyond disciplinary boundaries to encompass professional back-grounds, employment structures, and social identities that affectteam dynamics; (3) Partnerships and Conflicts, which examines thetensions between disciplinary silos and the pursuit of integratedplayer support; (4) Instability and Challenge, which underscores thepressures of organizational change, staff turnover, and first-team per-formance; and (5) MDT Operational Factors, which highlights thelogistical and structural constraints that shape MDT effectiveness.This study enhances the understanding of MDT functioning in elitefootball, bridging gaps between organizational psychology andapplied sport science. Through critically examining these themes, thefindings offer practical implications for optimizing interdisciplinarycollaboration, enhancing team cohesion, and fostering more effectivesupport structures in elite player development environments.Lay Summary: Working within an elite English football academypresents unique challenges for multidisciplinary teams. This studyhighlights key challenges and cultural sensitivities within these multi-disciplinary teams. Practical advice is offered to help navigate teamdynamics, enable more effective collaboration and better supportyoung players throughout the season.