Football can have a major impact on mental health. It is thought to affect emotions, relationships, identity and self-esteem. In a recent study, one in four fans said football was one of the most important things in their lives.
It is thought that watching football may be cathartic. It has been suggested that the atmosphere of a live football match is socially inclusive. Fans step into their team identity by wearing clothes and using language they would not usually use in their everyday lives. They can behave in ways that encourage ‘a cathartic release of tension’ through shouting, screaming, gesturing and chanting. Pent up internalised feelings and intense emotion such as frustration annoyance or sadness can be vented in a socially acceptable way. People can express and release internalised emotion that they don’t feel able to express in other ways.
As part of the Imagine your Goals project participants are invited to take part in the 'Matchday Experience'. The experience includes a 1 hour session delivered by a host of our partners at the Study Centre at the Reebok Stadium and concentrates on self esteem and confidence building in a fun and safe learning environment. after that participants get to go and watch the SUPER WHITES in action in a Premierleague encounter. After the match participants go back to the study centre to discuss the day as a whole and what they have got out of it. This part of the project will include a study from Bolton University to see if the Matchday Experience has a positive affect on the participants and can help lead to a better sense of wellbeing.
For more information on the Matchday Experience please contact the Community office:
(Tel) 01204 673 790
(Email) enquires@bwct.org.uk
