Image Credit: Head Safe Football
Head Safe Football (HSF) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to tackling one of football’s most pressing health concerns: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The charity’s mission is simple but vital: to protect current and future generations of players from the devastating effects of repetitive head impacts.
CTE is a progressive, incurable brain disease caused by repeated head trauma, including heading the ball. Over time, these impacts can lead to memory loss, confusion, aggression, depression, and eventually dementia.
With symptoms worsening over decades and no known cure, prevention is the only solution.
The aim isn’t to eliminate heading from football because it remains an integral and unique part of the game. Instead, the focus is on promoting safer training practices that limit repeated head impacts.
For young players, particularly those under the age of 10 or 11, heading plays a minimal role due to the limited time the ball spends in the air. At this age, removing heading from training and matches can be done safely and without compromising the essence or flow of the game.
HSF is leading the charge to bring this conversation out of the shadows. Inspired by the “elephant in the room”, a metaphor used in its logo, the organisation challenges the football community to acknowledge and address the risks of CTE.
Its initiatives focus on education, awareness, and practical change: reducing heading in youth training, supporting affected players and families, and mobilising the wider football community to unite under the message Football United v CTE.
By combining the latest scientific research with community action, HSF aims to create a safer future for the sport. Their approach blends compassion and advocacy, ensuring that football’s progress doesn’t come at the expense of player wellbeing.
Conclusion
Education around head injuries remains one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of player welfare in football.
Many still underestimate the long-term dangers of repeated head impacts, and greater awareness is needed to ensure that players, coaches, and parents can make informed, responsible decisions.
By understanding the risks, the football community can take meaningful steps toward lasting change and safer playing environments.
Learn more about Head Safe Football and their current initiatives HERE
