Perspectives on the role of nutrition in influencing academy soccer player development and performance: A qualitative case study of key stakeholders from an English category one soccer academy

Figures & data

Table 1. Player interview guide and aims (wording was adjusted for parents and stakeholders).

Questions	Prompts	Aim
Domain 1. Participant background and demographic.
Can you tell me about your journey playing football so far?	How long played for, number of academies, time at current club.	Understand their background and experiences.
Domain 2. Perceived academy specific performance nutrition priorities and their impact on player development and performance.
Thinking about since you started playing football, what and/or who has influenced your understanding of nutrition for football?	Personal interest, experience working with nutritionists, player feedback, other members of staff (e.g., coaches, physios, sport scientists), parents, friends.	Ascertain where their understanding of nutrition has come from.
What are your thoughts on the role of nutrition for your performance and development. Is it important, and if so to what extent and what are the potential benefits?	Energy availability/fuelling significant energy requirements, fuelling training and games, recovering from training and games, growth and maturation, body composition, hydration, injury prevention and rehabilitation.	Understand their perceptions of the importance and role of nutrition.
Of the potential benefits of nutrition you mentioned, do you think any are more of a priority for you as an academy footballer?	Why do you think this/these are the priorities? Does this differ for *the other phase* (YDP/PDP).	Understand what areas of nutrition they perceive to be most important and why.
Are you aware of any potential negative implications related to players not following the appropriate nutritional advice?	Energy availability, growth & maturation, injuries, Lack of energy.	Understand their level of knowledge.
Domain 3: Nutrition associated challenges for academy soccer players.
Do you think any of the priorities previously mentioned are more of a challenge to academy players?	In what areas do you struggle to optimise your nutrition, time/schedule demands, why?	Understand what nutritional challenges they face and why.
Do you think you need support to overcome these challenges?	From who? Why? How?	Understand what support they believe they need.
From your experience, has there been anything you have seen to be helpful and why?	Work with previous nutritionists, education sessions, food and drink provision.	Understand what they perceive to be helpful.
Do you think the phase you currently play in (YDP/PDP) receives sufficient nutrition support?	Differences in food and drink provision, individualised support, group education.	Understand their perceived nutritional support requirements for their stage of development.