England Futsal join forces with Switch the Play to provide athletes with support for life in performance sport
Posted on: 18 June 2026 by Switch the Play
Switch the Play is delighted to announce a brand-new partnership with England Futsal, providing athletes across their, 'Performance Pathway' with access to mentoring and personal development opportunities that will support them to thrive both in sport and beyond.
Vicky Birkby, England Futsal Community C.I.C. Board Director, said:
This partnership is a truly meaningful step forwards for us, and our commitment to athlete care. Having balanced a top-level futsal career with a profession myself, I know the commitments required to both, and the toll that dual-careers can take on your physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why Switch the Play’s work is so vital. We are confident that their programme and resources will be of great value to all of our athletes and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in their futsal careers but more importantly in their personal and professional lives.
Championing athlete wellbeing and development
While on-court performances and success are undeniably important for all of the players England Futsal work with across their senior and development performance pathways, it is paramount that the person is placed front and centre of whatever they do.
Whether it’s a performance camp, classroom session or international fixture, each individual’s own wellbeing must take precedence over the sport.
Given futsal’s developmental status in England, the vast majority of the players they work with balance busy careers with the significant commitment and dedication it takes to maintain performance at an international level. Early morning or late night gym sessions, extra individual training and long distance travel for club games are all commonplace.
The same applies for their U17 and U19 student athletes, who have the rigours of education, exams and future planning to deal with, whilst carving their path in futsal.
Maintaining an international sporting career in this way, alongside a full-time day job or education, can understandably have a negative effect on mental wellbeing, causing conflict and stress in their lives.
By partnering with Switch the Play, every member of the England Futsal Performance Pathway will now be able to access top of the range mentoring support, educational resources and personal development opportunities that will help them to navigate career difficulties and plan for a future outside of futsal too.
How the partnership will support England Futsal athletes
As part of the partnership, Switch the Play will deliver an introductory online workshop for members of the England Futsal Performance Pathway in July led by Director of Athlete Services and former professional footballer, Matt Lock. The interactive online workshop will explore athlete identity, career planning and preparing for life beyond sport.
Moving forward into the new season, we will then deliver a series of in-person masterclasses for futsal athletes on a series of relevant topics such as all-round athlete development and performance lifestyle.
Additionally, every single member of England Futsal's Performance Pathway aged 16+ will receive free access to Switch the Play’s mentoring programme, where they will be paired up with a skilled mentor to work through any concerns or difficulties they might be experiencing.
That is more than 200 male and female players receiving high-quality support to develop themselves as athletes and, most importantly, people.
Rob Young, CEO of Switch the Play Foundation, said:
We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with England Futsal and supporting athletes across their Performance Pathway. At Switch the Play, we believe that every athlete is more than their sport, and it's so important that they feel supported as people as well as players. We understand the commitment, dedication and sacrifice required to represent your country whilst balancing education, work and everyday life, and we're passionate about helping athletes navigate those challenges with confidence. Through our mentoring and learning and development programme support, we hope to give players the guidance, skills and opportunities they need to flourish both on and off the court. We can't wait to work alongside England Futsal and be part of helping athletes build fulfilling futures, wherever their journeys take them.
This partnership marks an exciting step forward for both organisations, and we’re looking forward to supporting England Futsal athletes to thrive during and beyond their sporting journeys.
To find out more about England Futsal, please visit their website.