For Parents & Guardians
Your child has given everything to football. Being released is devastating — for them and for you. The Phoenix Foundations exists to make sure what comes next is as strong as what came before.
We Understand What This Moment Feels Like
You have watched your child train consistently for years. You have driven to early morning sessions, rearranged family life around fixtures, and invested everything — emotionally and financially — in their dream. And then a letter arrives, or a phone call comes, and it is over.
The fear that follows is real. What happens now? Will they be okay? Have they missed out on education? Will they find their footing?
The Phoenix Foundation was built for exactly this moment. We work with released academy players and their families to build a structured, supported pathway forward. You do not have to figure this out alone — and neither does your child.
We Have Support For Every Age
We Give Your Child Direction
Every player who comes to The Phoenix Foundation gets a clear pathway - either into a professional career in advertising, media or marketing, or into a coaching pathway.
No Uncertainty, no drifting. A plan from day one.
What We Do
We Handle The Transition
We start with a detailed human conversation, and move on to CV Development, Personal Statement Writing and interview preparation. To Warm introductions with employers and post-placement support.
We manage the process so your child can focus on moving forward rather than navigating an unfamiliar world alone.
We Keep You Informed
Parents are a vital part of the process. We work with families, not just players.
You will always know where your child is in the program and what the next steps looks like.
We encourage feedback and conversations about the best way to move forward together.
Employment Pathway
We facilitate placing people into entry-level careers in advertising, media and marketing - industries where the discipline, work ethic, resilience, willingness to learn and team mentality built in a professional academies make them outstanding candidates.
We have existing relationships with some of London’s leading agencies, sales houses and brands.
Two Clear Paths Forward
Coaching Pathway
For players who love football and want to stay in the game, we guide them through the full coaching qualifications route.
We guide players from DBS and safeguarding through to all stages of the UEFA Badge process. With coaching job opportunities along the way according to their level of qualification.
There is no pressure to move forward with higher levels of badges. But this pathway will ensure your child has income at every stage and while they build their qualifications.
The Investment Your Child Has Already Made
Their academy years are not wasted. They are a foundation.
The habits built in a professional football academy - the discipline, the resilience, the ability to perform under pressure, team work and the ability to take coaching - are exactly what the best employers in London are looking for. The Phoenix Foundation exists to make sure those years count.
Questions We Hear From Parents
How quickly can The Phoenix Foundation help my child?
We move quickly. From first contact to having a clear plan in place typically takes one to two weeks. For the coaching pathway, your child can be earning income from holiday camp coaching within weeks of joining us.
Will The Phoenix Foundation work around my child's schedule?
Yes. We understand our players could be still training, trialling with clubs or in education when they join us. We work around them, not the other way around.
My child has no idea what they want to do — is that okay?
Completely. Most players who come to us are in the same position. Part of what we do is help them identify where their strengths will translate best — and build confidence in a new direction. We do not need them to arrive with a plan. That is our job.
What Does It Cost?
Get in touch and we will talk through the options that are right for your family. Our focus is always on finding the right pathway — the commercial conversation comes second.
Take The First Step
If your child has been released from an academy — or if you can see it coming — get in touch now. The earlier we speak, the more we can do. There is no commitment and no pressure. Just a conversation.