Psychologist Christopher Shen: Tips to bolster and improve your mental health

The current COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the mental health of the soccer community. Players, coaches, decision-makers, administrators, and supporters have all been impacted by the coronavirus, which can cause anxiety, distress, fatigue, a diminished ability to perform, and burnout. Scientific research has revealed several evidence-based techniques which can help Soccerscene readers bolster our mental health, during this challenging time.

Here are some tips for readers to help improve and master our mental health:

1.Savouring

Please identify ways to create savouring experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Savouring refers to strategies we can use to create, maintain, and share positive experiences.

Tips:

  • Please use mannerisms and gestures, such as smiling, and greeting each other.
  • Please celebrate and acknowledge positive events and moments with others.
  • Please write and read affirmations, and positive words and quotes.
  • Please create and listen to playlists of music and sounds which are uplifting and inspiring.
  • Each night with a beloved person, please identify three positive events that transpired during the day, as well as the causes of these events.

 

2.Gratitude

Please adopt a positive attitude of gratitude and appreciation towards yourself and others.

When we are grateful and express gratitude to others, we create positive thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and decrease negativity. A helpful practice is to show gratitude towards our family members, teammates, coaches, staff, and loved ones. When we show gratitude and compassion towards ourselves, we can often withstand challenges and frustrations.

Tips:

  • Please write a positive message to someone important in your life, expressing gratitude. Send this message, or deliver this message directly to the important person.
  • Please identify a regret in your life. Please write a reassuring message to yourself, expressing compassion and understanding towards yourself about this regret.
  • Please identify an opportunity to offer kindness and assistance to someone in need. What can you do to help someone else – especially during this Covid-19 pandemic?

 

3.Mindfulness

Mindfulness refers to a psychological state in which individuals experience an awareness of objects in their immediate environment, as well as their current thoughts and feelings.

Individuals who demonstrate mindfulness direct their attention to their present surroundings and their psychological state, but engage in experiential rather than analytical processing. That is, mindfulness refers to sustained or frequent awareness and attention to current and ongoing experiences. People who practice mindfulness develop greater self-esteem, concentration, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

Tips:

  • Every hour or so, please sit quietly for a few minutes with your eyes closed and focus your attention on your breath.
  • Then, direct your attention towards your surroundings – What you hear, what you smell, what you can taste, and how your body feels.
  • Then focus on your emotions, and thoughts.
  • Mindfulness practice can be used by Soccerscene readers in your pre-game preparations to develop focus, reduce anxiety, and build resilience.

Christopher Shen is a Psychologist, based in Melbourne, Australia. He can be contacted at: www.christophershen.com.au

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Workplace Law renews collaboration with Melbourne City FC

Melbourne City FC has confirmed the renewal of its partnership with Workplace Law, a leading provider of employment and workplace relations expertise, for another two years.

Following a successful inaugural season together, this renewal signifies an ongoing collaboration that highlights shared commitments to excellence, equality, and innovation.

Workplace Law continues to support City’s Women’s program, with their logo proudly displayed on the back of the A-League Women’s training kit.

Furthermore, the logo will feature on the matchday attire of City Women’s Head Coach, Michael Matricciani, reflecting Workplace Law’s unwavering dedication to advancing women in sport.

Melbourne City FC’s partnership with Workplace Law, backed by a history of driving success on and off the field, aligns with the Club’s goal of fostering a high-performance culture for its players and staff.

Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse, shared his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Workplace Law, a company that shares our passion for driving excellence and creating opportunities for women in sport,” he said via press release.

“Their support plays a vital role in ensuring our Women’s program can continue to thrive, both on and off the pitch. We look forward to achieving even greater success together over the next two years.”

Workplace Law Director and CEO, Shane Koelmeyer, shared this excitement.

“We absolutely love being part of the Melbourne City family and are delighted to extend our partnership for another two seasons. They are the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to creating the ideal high-performance environment for their coaches and players to thrive on and off the pitch,” he said via press release.

“The Club has a wonderful history of sustained success in both the women’s and men’s programs, and we look forward to sharing in, along with their other amazing partners, further success in the future.”

This partnership not only bolsters Melbourne City’s ALW program but also showcases Workplace Law’s commitment to empowering teams and individuals to excel.

For Jaiden Kucharski, The Sky is the Limit.

Despite its slow start to the season, many pundits believe this season’s Sydney F.C. squad is one of the strongest for many years.

Consequently, it has been difficult for striker Jaiden Kucharski to be selected on a regular basis. However, Jaiden Kucharski’s journey is one marked by moments of brilliance and potential.

For those who observed the power-laden goal he scored against Brisbane Roar in Round 3 and the disallowed volley he despatched against Wanderers two weeks ago, there is no doubt he has all the attributes of a goal-scoring maestro.

Additionally, his powerful right-footed drive from outside the penalty area last Sunday nearly found its mark for a ten-man Sydney F.C. to achieve a 2-2 draw, only to be denied by the agility of Central Coast Mariners custodian Dylan Peraic-Cullen.

Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC

None of this comes as a surprise, as Jaiden Kucharski’s Sydney F.C. record includes twenty-nine goals in three seasons in the NPL Men’s competition.

So, what does the future hold for this talented twenty-two-year-old?

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Jaiden Kucharski talks about his early exposure to football, his progression through the Sydney FC Academy to the senior squad, and his ambitions in the senior game.

ROGER SLEEMAN

Can you outline your early introduction to the game?

JAIDEN KUCHARSKI

After starting at Glenwood Redbacks as a five year old, I moved to the Football Development Academy and eventually progressed to the Sydney FC Academy at the age of fourteen via the NSW Institute.

R.S.

Who were the early influences in your career?

J.K.

I followed Messi and Ronaldo and also worshipped Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.

Also, due to my Polish background, I admired Robert Lewandowski as a goalscorer.

R.S.

You are equally accomplished on both feet  with ferocity on both sides.

When there are so many one sided players in the A-League, how have you managed to achieve this milestone?

J.K.

There was a coach called Cormack at the FDA who worked with me to improve my weaker left side when we went for periods without using the right foot in training.

At the weekends when I was eight or nine, I would train with the ten to fourteen year olds which also harnessed my two sided skills.

At the Sydney FC Academy, Kelly Cross has also nurtured my left side further and now I believe my shooting is better with my left side.

R.S.

You’ve been scoring goals for fun in NPL competition so what role do you see yourself playing?

J.K.

I’ve grown up playing as many positions as possible

However, I want to play up front as one of the two nines and being a target man to either drop to receive the ball and also playing in between and along the last line of defence.

I also want to be able to take the ball myself and score goals by taking opponents on.

Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC

R.S.

The goal you scored against Brisbane Roar in Round 2 was one of the hardest shots ever seen in the A-League.

Could you explain how you did it?

J.K.

My best attribute is my striking contact with the ball, assisted by strong groins and when the cutback came I hit through the ball as hard as I could.

R.S.

Are you prepared to wait for that break to get more game time?

J.K.

I’m contracted with Sydney FC until June next year and I’ve made the most of my playing time so far, but in the end selection is up to the coach.

I could also leave during the transfer window in January if the club allowed me.

Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC

R.S.

Have you had recent discussions with the coaching staff regarding your role in the squad?

J.K.

Not really as I just do everything in training to impress.

However, it was heartening to get a full game against F.C. Kaya and the goal I scored just inside the box to make a 3-0 scoreline, reinforced what I can do when I get space in front of goal.

R.S.

Would you leave Sydney F.C. when your contract expires, and if so where would you go to?

J.K.

I could go to Poland where I have citizenship but I also believe Germany would suit my style of football as an attacking player.

R.S.

It is a star studded squad at Sydney FC but you would be a certain starter at most other A-League clubs.

If the right offer came, would you move to another A-League club?

J.K.

Anything is possible, providing I’m getting game time and further developing as a footballer.

R.S.

Which of your team-mates do you really relate to?

J.K.

Adrian Segecic is an old team-mate who laid the ball off to me for the Brisbane Roar goal and three years ago I provided the pass which allowed him to score his first A- League goal against Macarthur Bulls.

Also, Anthony Caceres is a great foil and I’ve learned a lot from Joe Lolley and more recently Douglas Costa who is impeccable in his movement.

The new striker, Patryck Klimala, is a clinical striker and Leo Sena has that touch of genius which any young player can learn from.

Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC

R.S.

What is your opinion of the A-League?

J.K.

Foreigners I’ve met say they didn’t expect the A-League to be so strong.

It’s a great step up from NPL to APL as the pace and pressure is so much more demanding.

R.S.

Where do see yourself in three years time?

J.K.

Playing overseas as a regular starter, ideally in a First Division setup.

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