Contents


1. Little Steps, Big Steps 2. Parental Support 3. Family Dynamics 4. Respect


5. Specialisation


6. Choosing the Right Club 7. Moving Away


8. Remaining Grounded 9. Coping with Adversity 10. Conclusion


3 7 9


10 13 16 21 23 28 32


Dr Matt Pain


Dr Matt Pain is the Psychology Research Manager at The Football Association. He began working for the FA in 2002 while at Loughborough University where he completed a PhD on the performance environment of the England youth teams and worked as Director of Golf Development.


Since that time Matt has directed the FA’s range of psychology courses, inputted into the FA Youth Modules and more recently developed the psychology content of the Advanced Youth Award. He has worked extensively with youth and elite athletes across a range of sports including football, motor sport, golf and swimming, which has helped inform a number of practical resources for coaches and players on mental skill and talent development.


Graeme Carrick , MSc


Graeme was recently appointed FA Regional Mentor Officer (North East), and is also currently coaching Team Northumbria.


Previously, he worked as a FA Skills Team Leader and in elite player development at Newcastle United (U10’s & U16’s). He also coached U17’s at Wallsend Boys Club.


He has recently completed an MSc in Sports Coaching at Northumbria University.


© The FA 2015


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2


Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is one of England’s most technically accomplished midfielders. In this short book looking at the making of the England midfielder, Michael’s Mum, Dad and brother tell FA Research manager, Matt Pain, the story of his formative football years and in this chapter how, at the age of four and a half, he was playing 5 a-side in an U9s league.


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