For young footballers, finding a new home can be a daunting experience, but for some clubs, they offer an alternative - host family systems. The system is designed to make players signed from beyond the local area feel as settled and supported as possible.
When Brentford re-launched their academy in 2022, they introduced a host family programme to provide young players with a supportive environment. Families who sign up to take care of players are often strangers, but they have a significant impact on the player's development.
Michel Boni, a 17-year-old forward, has been living with his host family, Tiffany and Steve, since he joined the club. He sustained an adductor injury that left him out of action for three months, but their support helped him cope with the setback. The couple, who were previously strangers to him, provided Boni with a sense of belonging and reassurance.
But how do total strangers build up a strong bond with young players? Rachael Abebrese, Brentford's host family co-ordinator, explains that it requires careful planning and matching. The process involves assessing the motivations and conduct of potential families before pairing them with the player.
The couple who took Boni in have made an effort to understand and appreciate their cultural differences. They have introduced themselves to his culture and tried to make him feel at home. In return, Boni has shared aspects of his own culture with them.
Not all host family units are identical. Some are mixed cultures, like Boni's, who is British-born but from Ivorian and Nigerian heritage. Others live in the same house as their players, while some have a more formal arrangement, like the boarding system used by Barcelona's La Masia academy.
Theo Walcott, a former England international, credits his successful career to living at Darwin Lodge, a boarding house run by Julia Upson. He lived alongside other talented young players, including Gareth Bale, and shared close bonds with them.
Walcott remembers that life in the dormitory was not without its challenges. The lights would be turned off, and he would have to dodge pillow-wielding teammates to get back to his room. However, these moments of mischief created a sense of camaraderie among the players.
When it comes to settling down after their football careers, some young players choose to stay in touch with their host families. They find that the bonds they formed during their time together are unbreakable. For Michel Boni, he wants to stay in touch with Tiff and Steve even if his professional career takes him elsewhere.
For these young athletes, finding a supportive home environment is crucial for their development and success on the pitch. Host family systems provide more than just accommodation; they offer a sense of belonging, trust, and affection that can last long after their football careers are over.
When Brentford re-launched their academy in 2022, they introduced a host family programme to provide young players with a supportive environment. Families who sign up to take care of players are often strangers, but they have a significant impact on the player's development.
Michel Boni, a 17-year-old forward, has been living with his host family, Tiffany and Steve, since he joined the club. He sustained an adductor injury that left him out of action for three months, but their support helped him cope with the setback. The couple, who were previously strangers to him, provided Boni with a sense of belonging and reassurance.
But how do total strangers build up a strong bond with young players? Rachael Abebrese, Brentford's host family co-ordinator, explains that it requires careful planning and matching. The process involves assessing the motivations and conduct of potential families before pairing them with the player.
The couple who took Boni in have made an effort to understand and appreciate their cultural differences. They have introduced themselves to his culture and tried to make him feel at home. In return, Boni has shared aspects of his own culture with them.
Not all host family units are identical. Some are mixed cultures, like Boni's, who is British-born but from Ivorian and Nigerian heritage. Others live in the same house as their players, while some have a more formal arrangement, like the boarding system used by Barcelona's La Masia academy.
Theo Walcott, a former England international, credits his successful career to living at Darwin Lodge, a boarding house run by Julia Upson. He lived alongside other talented young players, including Gareth Bale, and shared close bonds with them.
Walcott remembers that life in the dormitory was not without its challenges. The lights would be turned off, and he would have to dodge pillow-wielding teammates to get back to his room. However, these moments of mischief created a sense of camaraderie among the players.
When it comes to settling down after their football careers, some young players choose to stay in touch with their host families. They find that the bonds they formed during their time together are unbreakable. For Michel Boni, he wants to stay in touch with Tiff and Steve even if his professional career takes him elsewhere.
For these young athletes, finding a supportive home environment is crucial for their development and success on the pitch. Host family systems provide more than just accommodation; they offer a sense of belonging, trust, and affection that can last long after their football careers are over.
I think it's so cool how host families help these young players feel settled and supported while they're training. Like, for Michel Boni, his host family was there for him even when he got hurt - that's amazing! 
I mean, have you seen those host family systems in place? It's like, totally genius! Giving young players a family vibe while away from home is super important for their mental game. I've seen it work wonders for the younger ones coming through at academy level, and now even pros are getting in on it too! 
. Living with strangers, even if it's for a good cause, can't be easy. It's not like they're at school or university where you can just go back home on the weekends 
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. It's not just about having someone cook their meals and pick up their laundry, it's about having people who care about you and understand what you're going through 
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. It's not just about being a parent, it's about being a guardian and a mentor all rolled into one 
. That's what makes this whole system so special โ it's not just about football, it's about building relationships and helping kids become better people 
In fact, 70% of players report feeling a sense of belonging with their host fams! 
This is awesome cuz it shows that even w/out fam, u can find people who care about u & help u grow as a person 
The stats are crazy tho - 91% of players say they'd stay in touch w/ their host fams even after they leave the club! 
That's what I call a win-win situation 
. It's like, these bonds last way longer than just a few years of football.
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. It's amazing how it can help players settle down, feel supported, and build strong bonds with people from different backgrounds 
. It just goes to show that football is not just about the game itself, but about building relationships and growing as people 
. I also love how Tiff and Steve have made an effort to learn about Boni's culture and traditions - that takes a lot of understanding and empathy 
. Its cool to hear that some players even stay in touch with their host families after they leave the team - its like having a second family away from home 
. Their host family programme must be so much work to set up, but it's clear they care about their players' well-being. And for guys like Michel Boni, who've been able to form these strong bonds with his host family, it's not just about the football โ it's about having a second family.
I mean, what if the host fams are more annoying than supportive? Like, imagine being stuck with some clueless aunties who think they're experts on everything 
. Or, you know, they could be secretly judging your acne or something... 
The fact that they get to just waltz into a 17-year-old's life and suddenly become super important is kinda weird 
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. And what's in it for them? Are they just doing this out of the goodness of their hearts or are there some strings attached?
. We need people who care about us and are there for us when things get tough 
. And even if they don't end up playing football pro, they've learned so much about themselves and how to build strong relationships 
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& supported him through thick & thin 
they gotta b careful w/ who they match u w/ but it sounds like tiffany & steve did a gr8 job w/ michel 
& i think its really cool dat theo walcott has stayd in touch w/ julia upson & his mates 
after football 