Japanese Female Professional Soccer Players’ Views on Second Career Development

The purpose of this study was to analyze professional, Japanese, female soccer athletes’ views on second career development and perceived support from the Women’s Empowerment Professional Football League, Japan. This underpinned by occupational socialization theory utilized a qualitative, collective case design through demographic questionnaires, in-depth face-to-face semistructured interviews, reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were six current professional players one team League. Three themes generated data: (a) avoiding washout effects in opportunities, (b) importance dual-career pathway (c) training. These findings reflected how participants’ first as athlete became ingrained within their identity shaped future desires preparations for careers. They also reflect difficulty participants experienced balancing athletic with part-time office work financial stability well planning linked soccer. Players expressed need preparation be facilitated clubs we provide implications recommendations work.