PPF Announces the Results of a Major Cross-Sport Study into the Physical, Mental and Financial Well-being of Retired Sportspeople – 12/09/13 The Professional Players Federation (PPF) is today sharing the results of a major study into the well-being of retired professional sportspeople, believed to be the most significant cross-sport study of its kind ever conducted. The in-depth study covered almost 1,200 respondents, all of them retired professional cricketers, footballers, rugby players (both Union and League) and jockeys. It spanned an age range from 22 to 95 years old, and the full range of playing experience, with 15% of respondents from team sports having played for their country ten or more times, and at the other end of the spectrum, 14% who played fewer than ten club first team matches. One thing unites nearly all of those surveys; 97% are extremely, 80% or somewhat and 17% proud of having played professional sports, and almost half 49% retain some kind of paid involvement in sport. Happily, most retired sportspeople are living relatively contented, normal lives. 79% are satisfied with their lives as a whole, slightly higher than the figure 76% for the population as a whole¹. However, many struggle to adapt to life after their sporting career ends, with over a third 34% confessing they didn’t feel in control of their lives two years after they finished playing, and 24% admitting to ongoing physical, mental, addiction or financial problems. The research indicated five key factors which determine how well sportspeople adapt to life after sport: Their satisfaction with their sporting career Preparation for the future while playing Retiring on their own terms, as opposed to being forced to retire through injury or failure to secure a playing contract The quality of their transition, and the support they receive during this period The speed with which they regain control of their lives. Brendon Batson, MBE, Chairman of the PPF, said, ” This important study emphasises the challenges professional sportspeople face in retirement, and it is critical that we help them adjust to life out of the spotlight” . Angus Porter, Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers Association, which initiated the study, added, ” The insights we have gained from this work apply equally to all the sports we have studied. They demonstrate the importance of ensuring the support offered by Player Associations and others during their playing careers does not end when they retire, and that we continue to provide support, particularly in the crucial two year period after they stop playing.” Notes ¹ national data drawn from the ONS National Wellbeing Survey, 2012/13 For further information or comment, please contact Simon Taylor on 07726 627422, or Angus Porter on 07584 262083. {{ak_sharing}}
