Philadelphia Union Academy Entrusts Onrise with its Athletes' Mental Health
Philadelphia Union Academy Entrusts Onrise with its Athletes’ Mental Health
Onrise, a growing company with a mission to revolutionize athlete mental health, announced its new partnership with the Philadelphia Union Academy. The Philadelphia Union Academy, a Major League Soccer (MLS) affiliated prep program, trains over 150 athletes ranging from 11 to 19 years old. Within this program, the Academy commits to the holistic development of its athletes by providing strategic growth opportunities for their athletes through nutritional, educational, and life skills development programming. The Academy is also partnered with the YSC Academy, an MLS-affiliated, world-renowned youth soccer development program and college-preparatory school that supports the academic development of the players who choose to participate.
After Major League Soccer recently required each MLS club to appoint an in-house club safety officer, the Philadelphia Union wanted to go the extra mile to continue to develop their organization’s culture and ultimately provide value to their athletes’ development. Sheldon Phillips, Senior Director of Club Welfare and Compliance, is the Philadelphia Union’s safety officer. “We felt that the position, even in its infancy, required more and we made it a full-time position. The scope of the position has grown. I think this speaks to the Union’s vision and understanding that the responsibilities have gotten larger,” said Phillips. Phillips' duty is to monitor the safeguarding and welfare of the entire organization from its employees to the academy players, as he serves as the main point of contact for reports, concerns, and complaints, and this now includes mental health. Phillips’ responsibilities have grown since the league mandate. “Among the areas I am involved in, the scope has expanded over the last 2 years,” said Phillips when he discussed the recent changes in his job duties.
Mental health has become a focus of the Union recently as they have added elements to their programming for academy players to continue to further assist in the complete development of their athletes. Phillips, a passionate advocate for player development, shares a sentiment that all coaches, parents, trainers, and athletic departments should feel, which is that “We have a vested responsibility.” This vested responsibility includes creating access for athletes to mental health care by utilizing innovative resources that are cost-effective and solution oriented. Phillips celebrated Onrise’s commitment to revolutionary care noting that “Hiring an in-house resource was cost prohibitive. Onrise made it easy on us by providing a reasonably priced, quality alternative that freed up budget for other priorities.”
The Philadelphia Union Academy continues to display its holistic culture through the intentional development of its youth athletes in all facets of their lives. The Academy developed five elements of holistic development that they use as corner pieces to their vision for their athletes which are: Emotional and Mental Support, Life skills, Diversity – Equity – Inclusion – Interpersonal Skills (DEII), Player – Parent Voice, and the Transition. They have several programs in place and are further conveying their commitment to the emotional and mental support of their athletes through partnering with Onrise. “This is our doing; this is what we agreed to provide and support, and this is not mandated by the league. Onrise is a major partner that addresses one of our five elements. We are very fortunate,” said Phillips. Total athlete development is something that Phillips and the Union want for their athletes because they know that the soccer ball can’t be kicked forever and successful integration, post-career, into society is imperative for their athletes. “When players leave, we want them to thrive on their own.” said Phillips. The Philadelphia Union Academy is setting a standard as they are not just committing to the athlete but the human as well.