YOUTH PLAYERS' SUBJECTIVE PERCEPTION AND EXPERIENCES IN GERMAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMIES: AN EXPLORATIVE CASE STUDY

Youth academies of professional football clubs in Germany face the dual challenge of balancing competitive performance with ethical responsibilities often strained under the pressures of increasing commercialization. This study investigates existing challenges within such environments using a questionnaire-based research approach, gathering the subjective experiences and perceptions of 70 current and former German youth academy players. The findings reveal disparities based on contract status and gender inclusivity. While contracted players reported a more positive perception regarding financial support and transparency in decision-making processes, non-contract players described better experiences in terms of the mental and physical support received within these institutions. Furthermore, female participants reported substantially more negative experiences across almost all governance and ethics dimensions compared to their male counterparts, highlighting persistent gaps in inclusivity and support structures. These insights align with the goals outlined in SDG 5 (Gender Equality), emphasizing the need for equal opportunities and protections for all genders within sports development systems. This explorative research contributes to the broader discourse on ethics and governance in the development of professional football players, offering practical recommendations for policymakers, clubs, and stakeholders in the football industry. The findings underscore the importance of aligning youth development systems with SDG 4 (Quality Education), by promoting learning environments that are inclusive, supportive, and ethically grounded, as well as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by advocating for fair treatment, mental and physical well-being, and equitable opportunities for young athletes. Future research could build upon these findings by exploring longitudinal data and conducting comparative studies across different countries and sports disciplines. Addressing the disclosed gaps will enable youth academies to better reconcile competitive aims with ethical imperatives ultimately fostering fairness, dignity, and sustainable growth within professional football. These findings thus aim to provide actionable insights for all policymakers and club stakeholders, emphasizing the necessity of embedding sustainable ethics into youth player development frameworks.