Welcome to the 61st edition of The Parents Week, your trusted source for the most meaningful stories in football family dynamics and development.
This week, we dive into:
- New data from the ECA reveals the structural gap between first and second divisions across the “Big Five” countries. We explore what this means for youth development and the limited transition pathways for academy players.
- What does the research really say about the impact of parents in football? From supportive presence to pressure pitfalls, this mindset piece helps families reflect on how to show up with awareness and balance.
- The UEFA U21 Euros are underway in Slovakia, and England’s squad features rising stars like Jarell Quansah and Jobe Bellingham. We spotlight the football and personal journeys that brought them here.