Pitfalls for Young Neophyte Sport Psychologists – Experiences From Working in an Elite Youth Academy in German Soccer

Abstract

The professionalization of German soccer initiated a licensing and certification process of elite youth soccer academies also warranting the employment of sport psychological personnel. As part of this amendment, I was able to obtain a part-time position as a sport psychologist in this setting for the first time. Since the starting phase as a novice sport psychologist in this particular environment comes with a number of difficulties, I elaborate on some overarching pitfalls I was initially confronted with in my tenure. My descriptions combine my personal experiences as a novice in the field with research findings in this applied setting. The goal is to provide insights and recommendations for action for neophyte sport psychologists working in elite youth soccer academies and related environments. I specifically address the topics getting to know the organizational structure, building trust, justifying your presence, satisfying the needs of everyone, and role diversity. The practical reflections conclude with discussing strategies for how to improve neophyte sport psychologists’ path in youth academy settings in order to solidify sport psychology in sports and especially in soccer.