How Your Football Family Can Make All the Difference After an Injury
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Sport is often a happy place for many people, but what happens when someone gets injured and faces weeks or months on the sidelines? More professional footballers from both the men's and women's game are speaking up about the effect injuries can have on their mental health. In an interview for the Man City website, Chloe Kelly said there were times she felt 'worthless' after her injury. She also said one of the most important parts of her recovery was 'having good people around'.
WF4W wanted to know what advice female walking footballers had for other players who are currently injured. Here’s what some of you said:
Julie Norris (Parkinson's Pioneers and Stokesley WFC): Last year I had a 2nd degree tear of my right ankle. I spent 2/3 weeks in a boot, using crutches to help me walk. Not being able to play was hard but I knew that I would get back. I had a great sports injury physio and teammates who kept in touch. I was also able to go and watch them train and keep up with the banter. Staying positive was hard but when you’ve got a positive and supportive coach and teammates who keep you going to training, even just to chat, it still makes you feel part of it.
Julie's advice to coaches and teammates of any injured players: Keep in touch with the player, support them through rehab, accept when they are tired and can’t come and cheer every little milestone their teammate reaches. It’s not the end, just a little holiday (even if it’s painful), you’ll be back before you know it.
Maxine Coupe (Exeter WWFC): I fractured my ankle in February playing walking football, and not being able to play was really tough. But the football family was amazing so many people checked in to see if I was OK, encouraged me that I'd be back, and kept saying they were looking forward to seeing me back out on that pitch again. That support honestly made such a difference and is helping me keep positive through recovery.
.
Rhian Lovell (Cambrian Hot Steppers and Wales O40 coach): My footy family have kept me going since rupturing my acl/mcl a year ago. And reinjuring in November. They kept me going since surgery in December, allowing me to focus on coaching. Coaching has given me something to focus on by gaining experience and being involved in the sport still.
Lorraine Rye (South West O60s coach): After a serious injury forced me out of the game for over a year, I felt isolated and frustrated. However, my physiotherapist's guidance and motivation were instrumental in my recovery. I eventually rediscovered my passion for football through coaching and later playing with a new club. My advice would be to focus on the aspects of the game that you can still participate in and seek support from professionals and teammates.
Sam Mason (Bristol Badgers): I broke two fingers making a save in a GFA fixture for Bristol Badgers. The day after my beloved dog went to doggy heaven suddenly. Not being able to play with so much grief and pain in my life was a very difficult time, My team mates and the walking football community were so supportive in helping me navigate my injury and loss. I became a supporter from the side especially encouraging our fellow GKs in training and matches. I'm back playing now with my fingers securely taped for protection and my late dogs name printed on my gloves.
Deb Neale (Dawlish WWFC/WFA England Kicking Cancer): Many already know my past story of being supported by my footy family, Dawlish Women Walking Football, when I was undergoing cancer treatment last year. Now, I am waiting for a new knee and unable to play football at league level. While I am not at football, my footy family are willing me on and always there. They know it's a tough time. If you can't play the beautiful game it can be very frustrating but they always seem to know what I need!
If you've got a player in your team who is unable to play, why not send them a message? A quick check-in could make all the difference.
Read Chloe Kelly's interview in full:
Comments