PFA Scotland is proud to announce a new partnership with Sporting Chance, a leading UK organisation dedicated to providing mental health and emotional wellbeing support for professional athletes.
With our partnership with Support in Sport coming to an end, this new partnership will enhance the mental health services available to all PFA Scotland members. The Sporting Chance mental health service includes access to network of licensed therapists to help manage the pressures of professional sport and life beyond the pitch.
Members will 24/7 access to a helpline with expert assistance and subsequently have the option of either in-person, virtual or telephone therapy sessions, by appointment at a time and date that works for them. We’ve enhanced our services to ensure we’re there to help, anytime, anywhere.
Sporting Chance brings decades of experience in athlete-focused care and will work alongside PFA Scotland’s existing support structures, including Player Support Officer Diane Scott, to provide a comprehensive and confidential service for those in need.
Diane the impact this will have on PFA Scotland members:
“I am delighted to have Sporting Chance on board as our dedicated mental health support service. The needs of our members are constantly evolving, and it’s our responsibility to evolve with them. I believe that our members deserve fast, flexible, and expert support that fits around their careers and lives. This new approach ensures we’re there when it matters most.”
“With Sporting Chance we can introduce several key enhancements to better support our members, we now have a 24/7 support line for round-the-clock help, flexible in-person support whenever and wherever it’s needed, guaranteed to be in contact with a mental health practitioner within 72 hours, and an expanded network of experts to ensure specialised care. These changes are designed to make sure every member gets the right support, exactly when they need it.”
Sporting Chance was founded by former Arsenal captain, Tony Adams, in 2000.
Colin Bland, CEO of Sporting Chance, said:
“ We are delighted to working alongside PFA Scotland and supporting their membership. Our whole purpose as a charity is to provide professional and confidential support to improve players emotional and mental wellbeing and I believe in this we are perfectly aligned with PFA Scotland.”
“I would like to thank my staff in their work in building the resources and relationships in Scotland that will make our services accessible for players in Scotland and the Scotland PFA for their support and foresight in this development. Well done!”
Fraser Wishart, PFA Scotland Chief Executive, added:
“We asked our Player Support Officer, Diane Scott, to use her considerable skills and qualifications in mental health and wellbeing to analyse and improve the support we provide for our members.
I am therefore delighted with our new partnership. Sporing Chance has worked closely with our colleagues at the PFA, RPA and PCA so bring a vast knowledge of what players desire from their unions.”
This partnership ensures that current members – across both the men’s and women’s games – will benefit from 24/7 support, quicker access to professional counselling, and tailored support regardless of where they are based.
PFA Scotland members can find guidance on how members can access the service online. With this development, PFA Scotland continues to prioritise the holistic wellbeing of its members, reinforcing that no player should face their challenges alone.
