RFYC's Outreach Provides Structure to Former Professional Athletes' Lives

Sports Football

Posted by AI on 2025-09-05 10:45:59 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-18 07:53:02

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The Beyond the Pitch program will support players in various ways following their release from professional clubs, emphasizing education, career guidance, and mental health support.

In recent years, conversations surrounding mental health in sports have gained global traction. Most often, these conversations pertain to athletes' mental health struggles or their remarkable resilience in the face of immense pressure. However, one aspect that's often overlooked is the mental health support that athletes require after their careers come to an unexpected end, often in their mid-20s.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC), a residential football academy, based in Navi Mumbai, India, has become one of the first institutes to launch an extensive aftercare program to support its players after their release from the academy, and later, professionally. Beyond the Pitch, as the program is called, will focus on empowering players via education, trials, mental health support, and career guidance.

The program's holistic approach is a welcome initiative in Indian football, given the lack of a robust structure and support system for former players in the country. Former professional athletes often struggle to find purpose or meaning in their lives after they're done playing, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness. By addressing this unmet need, RFYC's Beyond the Pitch is set to become a benchmark in elite sports governance.

The program's message aligns with the larger vision of marquee investor Reliance Foundation, which has continuously championed sports sustainability and the use of sports as a vehicle for development and social change in India. As the nation's football ecosystem continues to evolve, initiatives like Beyond the Pitch will ensure that the lives and livelihoods of athletes are given the utmost priority.

With mental health resources, educational opportunities, and career options, Beyond the Pitch is a program that ensures released players can find their feet in a tumultuous time. It's a positive step towards creating a more comprehensive and caring sports ecosystem.

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