The Football Mental Health Alliance

Every weekend, I watch the same scenario unfold.A young referee – 15, maybe 16 years old – walks onto the pitch. Recently trained, nervous as hell, giving up their weekends so your child can play football. They’re hesitant with decisions. They don’t blow the whistle with confidence. They go with the shout because they’re still learning what match control actually feels like.And you, standing on the touchline, you deal with it. Initially.You understand they’re new. You bite your tongue when a throw-in goes the wrong way. You remind yourself they’re just a kid learning. You are, in that moment, fairly rational.Then comes the flashpoint.A challenge in the box. A potential penalty. The young ref bottles it or gets it wrong or doesn’t see it the way you do. And something shifts. You stop being a parent/carer/guardian (PCG – Danny told me to use this term) watching their child play football. You become a football supporter. That emotion turns, and you explode.I’ve seen it hundreds of times. That transformation happens in seconds. The rational person you were thirty seconds ago is gone, replaced by someone screaming at a teenager about competence, bias, fairness—whatever justification your anger reaches for in the moment.And here’s what you don’t realise as you’re losing it: you’ve just given every other PCG permission to do the same.

You’re seeing it more and more. Players who “won’t listen.” Kids who “act out.” Behaviour that disrupts sessions. Coaches are frustrated. Parents/carers/guardians are defensive. Everyone’s stuck.Here’s what’s actually happening.Mentioned in this episode:The Football Mental Health Alliance Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding AcademyThe only ongoing support system that gives coaches, welfare officers, players and parents/carers the tools, training, and peer network to confidently support neurodivergent players and mental health in grassroots football. Because one-off, tick box, solitary e-learning doesn't cut it. Because Facebook groups aren't safe. Because your coaches, welfare officers, players and parents/carers deserve actual, expert support.

The game is changing. Parents/carers/guardians (PCGs) are educating themselves. And clubs aren’t keeping up.Here’s what’s coming.What PCGs Are Searching ForGoogle Trends tells a clear story.Searches for “reasonable adjustments grassroots football” are climbing.“Equality Act youth sports” – rising.“Neurodiversity discrimination” – rising.“Can my child be excluded from football for behaviour” – rising.PCGs aren’t just hoping their kids get good coaching anymore. They’re researching their legal rights.Why This MattersBecause awareness is growing faster among PCGs than among clubs. PCGs know adjustments exist. They know the Equality Act creates duties. They know what discrimination looks like.But clubs? Many still think “we treat everyone the same” is an acceptable response.It’s not. It never was. And increasingly, PCGs know it.We cover this in our Understanding Neurodiversity in Grassroots Football training:Mentioned in this episode:The Football Mental Health Alliance Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding AcademyThe only ongoing support system that gives coaches, welfare officers, players and parents/carers the tools, training, and peer network to confidently support neurodivergent players and mental health in grassroots football. Because one-off, tick box, solitary e-learning doesn't cut it. Because Facebook groups aren't safe. Because your coaches, welfare officers, players and parents/carers deserve actual, expert support.

Most clubs are one complaint away from a serious problem. Not because they’re doing anything malicious. But because they can’t prove they’ve done anything at all.Here’s the document that protects you.Mentioned in this episode:The Football Mental Health Alliance Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding AcademyThe only ongoing support system that gives coaches, welfare officers, players and parents/carers the tools, training, and peer network to confidently support neurodivergent players and mental health in grassroots football. Because one-off, tick box, solitary e-learning doesn't cut it. Because Facebook groups aren't safe. Because your coaches, welfare officers, players and parents/carers deserve actual, expert support.

The Equality Act 2010 has been law for fifteen years. Most grassroots clubs still don’t understand their obligations. Here’s what you need to know.What the Law Actually SaysUnder the Equality Act, clubs have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled players. Neurodivergence can be considered a disability. ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, anxiety disorders – all can qualify.You don’t need a formal diagnosis to make adjustments. You just need evidence of need. And here’s the bit that catches clubs out: you have an anticipatory duty.That means you should be thinking about accessibility before someone asks. Not after.Mentioned in this episode:The FMHA Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding Academy.The FMHA Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding Academy gives your entire club unlimited access to: Unlimited seats in face-to-face training in neurodiversity, mental health first aid and emotional regulation Monthly expert-led CPD from recognised specialists Football-specific resources updated monthly (matchday checklists, parent conversation templates, adjustment guides) A fiercely moderated peer community – no ‘Daves’ allowed The Player Log App (in development) for documenting reasonable adjustments Free Parent/Carer/Guardian Academy so families become partners, not problems Not a one-off workshop. Not a Facebook group. An ongoing support system built specifically for grassroots football.