The mother of Myles Lewis-Skelly is calling on the FA and Premier League to back her fast-growing platform which is helping parents navigate the complicated world of academy and grassroots football.
Myles, 18, joined the Arsenal academy aged nine, rising through the ranks to a starting spot against Everton in the Premier League last Sunday.
But for his mother Marcia, her son’s progress is not the only focus. On the back of her own experiences, she launched the organisation No1Fan.club over the summer. It provides tools for parents such as workshops, forums and information packages which are utilised both virtually and in-person — and used across the footballing pyramid, including the Premier League.
‘There’s not enough information and support that’s independent from the industry, the academies or your grassroots coach — there’s nowhere for parents to actually go.
‘As a parent, you sometimes feel like you didn’t see it coming, or you failed, or you didn’t you know what to do in certain situations. We’re just trying to give support to parents.’
Marcia Lewis (left) is calling on the FA and Premier League to back her fast-growing platform
Her son Myles Lewis-Skelly has risen through the ranks at Arsenal to become a part of the senior roster
Lewis is urging the FA and Premier League to back her platform which is helping parents navigate the complicated world of academy and grassroots football
Multiple clubs are already working with No1Fan.club to use their parent forums and workshops.
Marcia, who previously headed up a technology training department in an investment bank, pursued a Master’s degree in football business after the Covid pandemic to better understand the landscape.
She also studied for FIFA’s football agent exam. Now, the determined Marcia wants to grow No1Fan.club further with the help of the football industry.
‘We would like the football industry and its regulators to help support this initiative, which ultimately supports the football industry,’ she says.
‘I’d like them to acknowledge that we’re here to help, and endorse what we’re doing in clubs. Come and find out what we’re doing.
‘We’ve done workshops with the Premier League, and they’ve liked what we’ve done. But they’re not taking it to the next level. This is something which the FA should see as a benefit.
‘The industry is almost cautious, I believe, of parents being better equipped. I honestly don’t know (why). For the industry, it’s a win-win. If you have parents that understand the landscape of football better, then when the kids are in their care, the parents will understand what they can control.’
Marcia cites her Master’s thesis on the parent experience in elite football academies as the pivotal moment.
Multiple clubs are already working with No1Fan.club to use their parent forums and workshops
‘It was sort of like the mic drop moment, interviewing parents who have been through some very difficult times of all backgrounds,’ she explains.
‘There’s plenty of research out there that talks about the development journey of young people and how important parents are to it, but there’s little offer of the solutions as to how to make it easier for them.
‘So, learning more about that from my own experience, but also from other parents to me was clearly the conclusion that needed to happen.’
Her message to clubs is simple: pay attention to the role of parents in a child’s development.
‘The investment is always about the development, but the understanding of the parent role is not one that they feel is their (club’s) role,’ she adds.
‘But surely, a part of that success is to help parents navigate this complex industry. It’s not like any other. The resources are not put into that area. I think it needs to be given more attention.’
No1Fan.club has launched a national survey to gather feedback from parents in academies to help the organisation understand the needs of parents. If you wish to provide feedback, visit this link:
