The PFA hosted former players, clubs, and league representatives at its Manchester HQ for an afternoon focused on sharing best practice for supporting players with neurodegenerative diseases.
Personnel from clubs including Newcastle United, Manchester City, Wolverhampton and Burnley were in attendance to deliver workshops on their clubs’ dementia and brain health initiatives, including the work being done to grow ‘memories clubs.’
The event was opened by Penny Watson, wife of former England captain Dave Watson, and joined by former players and memory club supporters Tony Currie, John Brekin and Les Bradd. Each discussed the importance of such initiatives for former players – with and without dementia – as a way to stay connected to the sport.
House of Memories – National Museums Liverpool’s award-winning dementia programme – also presented on their first-of-a-kind partnership with Liverpool FC and their Forever Reds former players’ association.
Dr Adam White, Head of Brain Health at the PFA, said:
“Working alongside the Premier League and our partners, the PFA provides resources and information to support members and to help clubs develop their own dementia initiatives for the benefit of all in and around our game.
“Knowledge sharing between stakeholders across the football community is a key part of our work and events like this help us stay across new and innovative ways to support our members.
“This is the second ‘Developing Dementia’ workshop we’ve hosted in partnership with the Premier League, and we look forward to connecting once again in the near future to continue our collaboration.”
