Trent Alexander-Arnold has launched a new initiative that aims to provide career opportunities outside of football for former academy players.
The Liverpool star has won every top-level trophy by the age of 24 under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, establishing himself as one of the most important players in the Reds' squad over the last few years.
Alexander-Arnold, however, represents a remarkably small percentage of young players who go on to not only make the grade at elite level but also thrive in the pressure cooker environment at the top end of the game and as such, the No.66 is keen to ensure that others who don't make a career from the game have other options to fall back on.
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The new initiative, known as the After Academy, will look to help former academy teens who wish to forge a new career path outside of professional football through the use of their transferable skills.
Research has shown that as many as five out of six players who make it into the elite scholarship programme at 16 are no longer playing professional football by the age of 21 and those players who have spent their formative years with football as their main ambition have often made sacrifices that have impacted their education and other career pathways.
The ECHO understands Alexander-Arnold has pulled in support from Under Armour, as well as the Professional Footballers' Association, to create opportunities and support for those who have fallen through the cracks of professional football.
It is also understood the 2020 Premier League winner is keen to glamourise the idea of a 'Plan B' outside of football and has donated a significant sum of his own money to help young hopefuls find their way if they cannot make it in the cut-throat world of pro football.
Liverpool's Academy director Alex Inglethorpe has been credited as a 'leading light' on the subject of helping former academy players find work outside of the professional game. The 'LFC Alumni Programme', driven by Ingelthorpe, helps provide after-care to those who have left the club or professional football altogether.
The PFA will join the After Academy as a supporting partner and Alexander-Arnold, who starred in a 2-1 win over West Ham on Wednesday night, knows how tough it is for those who don't become stars at the clubs they have represented since their days as a schoolboy.
“I loved my time at the Liverpool Academy, it gave me everything I have today and I’m so grateful to be in the position I’m in," Alexander-Arnold said. "That feeling of lifting trophies for your childhood club is magical and I wouldn’t swap it for anything in the world, but if things didn’t work out the way they did I could have been one of those being told the dream is over.
"I’m fortunate to not know what that conversation is like but I know from my friends and other former players how hard it hits and how tough it can be.
“I’m proud of this programme as it looks to give another chance to those who didn’t make it, and I hope it is just a first step towards a brighter future for these young players.”
Maheta Molango, CEO of the PFA, added: “As the players' union, we always want to help our members use their influence and their networks to make a difference on issues that matter to them. This project from Trent is a perfect example of what can be achieved by players using their platform in a positive way.
“Pursuing a career in football brings unique challenges in terms of personal development and wellbeing. Helping players plan for their future is central to the work the PFA does. We're excited to be working with Trent and look forward to being part of his journey with The After Academy.”
Kara Trent, who is Under Armour’s Managing Director for EMEA, said: "As a company whose ethos is to empower those who strive for more, supporting The After Academy was an easy decision for us.
"We believe that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and by providing a role in our organisation for some of these former players, we hope to not only support them in their future careers, but to also benefit from the skills they will have learned during their time at an academy.
"We look forward to working with Trent on our shared mission to create a new path for former academy players, and hope this is just the beginning for an initiative that aims to transform lives and create a positive impact.”
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