The Impact of Homesickness on Elite Footballers

Abstract

Globalisation has resulted in increased migration for sports participation. Leaving home and moving to a new city or country requires adjustment and may increase levels of stress experienced by players. The impacts of the move may have consequences for the player both on and off the field. This study looked at ways in which moving to a new city or country impacted players and what mechanisms helped them cope and adjust to the new surroundings. The sample consisted of 41 football players (male N=20; female N=21) ages between 17 and 42 years old. Players came from eleven different countries across five continents all playing at the highest level of the game. The study found that the players had both football-related and non-football related consequences as a result of the move. Things like missing family and friends, adjusting to a new language, and adjusting to a new style of football were the most prominent difficulties experienced by the players. Keeping in touch with family and friends made the move easier, as did the support played within the team set-up. Most players who had made more than one move found the first move the toughest to adjust to, and lessons learnt during that move made subsequent moves easier.

Sport during the COVID-19 bio-bubble: Wellness and opinions in South African elite football

“…This is particularly true in cases where clubs are based in different cities or countries. [7] Mental health experts suggested maintaining social connections and interactions, including non-football interactions within the team set-up and partaking in leisure activities, such as video games, as possible ways to cope with being in the bio-bubble. This study did find these to be useful tools.…”

“…These included the inability to rest from the sport, lack of job security [ 6 ] , feeling isolated, lack of time with family and friends, pressure for results, and compacted competition schedules. [ 7 ] In addition, long camps and the only interaction within the teams’ football circles can be psychologically stressful, and increased the risk of isolation and decreased motivation. Recent studies of South African athletes during lockdown (Alert Level 5) have shown the physical and mental effects athletes described.…”

The Perception of Grassroots Coaches of Spanish Professional Clubs on the Process of Training Young Players

“…It is worth bearing in mind the considerations of Pruna et al [ 15 ], who suggested that leaving home or changing one’s personal environment can increase stress levels, which can have both sporting and personal consequences. Along these lines, studies by Tiesler [ 55 ] and Bahdur and Pruna [ 56 ] also pointed out that a change in the player’s family and social environment can generate stress affecting performance, even in elite football players.…”