Seventy-five Player Development Managers (PDMs) from around the world came together for Elevate, a one-day training session hosted by the World Players Association, in collaboration with FIFPRO, at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
The event examined how vulnerability can be a core strength in coaching and a powerful tool to help players navigate life on and off the pitch.
The morning session focused on embracing personal vulnerability, helping PDMs explore their own emotional readiness and how it impacts their work with players.
The afternoon shifted towards coaching others through vulnerability, with practical methods for guiding players through difficult conversations involving trauma, denial, and disengagement.
Building on previous Elevate sessions in Arizona and Rome, the event offered PDMs hands-on tools, peer-led insights, and renewed confidence to support players through some of the sport’s most human challenges.
Former New Zealand international Harry Ngata, the Chair of the New Zealand Professional Footballers’ Association, said: “Elevate serves as an opportunity to have like-minded and passionate associates together to inspire, connect, share and engage on player-centric strategies that impact not only the individual but the multiple supporting stakeholders.”
