As we enter the second week of Soccerlude 2024, Atlético Ottawa sat down with star midfielder Ollie Bassett to discuss mental health in professional sport, and how setbacks and social isolation have influenced his career.

Bassett’s exploits last season, where he was rewarded for his exploits in front of goal as the Canadian Premier League’s (CPL) top scorer, extended beyond the pitch. A connection with a young fan named Taha during the walkout when Atleti faced up against Pacific FC at TD Place last year stole the community’s hearts. This organic and genuine encounter blossomed over the season and Bassett was recognized for his work by the CPL Volkswagen FC Game Changers awards.

🥘 DINNER WITH TAHA ♨️

Taha and his family invited @OllieBassett28 over for dinner to surprise him with a @VWcanada Game Changer Award & more 🎁‼️

Watch the full video on the Atleti YouTube Channel ✅

🔗: https://t.co/CHseo68Hr7#ForOttawa | #PourOttawa pic.twitter.com/GzMtv5vSCP

— Atlético Ottawa (@atletiOttawa) December 23, 2023

The award came with a donation element, where Volkswagen stepped up to donate $2,500 to the charity of the winner’s choice. Bassett didn’t have to think for too long before deciding that he wanted to make an impact in the realm of men’s mental health, using the platform that his performances and the adoration of the Ottawa crowd – who dubbed TD Place “Olliewood”

“I think it something important to speak about, in life in general as well as specifically with athletes and soccer players,” said Bassett. “Athletes have a lot of time spent on their own, away from family and away from friends, living in different cities or even different countries. It’s a side that the public and the fans don’t often get to see, they often just see us as players, but we’re all people and feel the same way as anyone else. I’ve played in numerous different countries now, with a few different clubs and had a broad array of experience. I’ve never really spoken about my experiences publicly, but if me doing this helps a couple of people find their voice – it’s definitely going to be worth it.”

Despite only being 25 years old, Bassett’s professional career began almost 10 years ago when he moved away from his parent’s house to join Yeovil Town in League Two of the English soccer pyramid system, and quickly broke a record as the club’s youngest player to ever appear in a competitive match. It wasn’t long before a cruel aspect of the professional game reared its head for the then-17-year-old playmaker.

“I was signed under the old coach at Yeovil and not long after there was a change in management,” explained Bassett. “Looking back at it now, with the experiences I’ve had since, I don’t love the way a few of the players, including myself, were treated during this transition. Especially as a young player. I was a young boy and didn’t know how to deal with that side of the game.

“My confidence was shot, on and off the pitch. I would come home from training and just lock myself in my bedroom and not come out until it was time to cook dinner, I’d go to sleep and repeat it the next day. As a player, you deal with challenges every day, and I think it’s normal for players to feel that way, but it’s about keeping yourself busy, by talking to people you trust, by not letting your thoughts dictate how you deal on a day-to-day basis. This is something I’m still trying to learn to do myself. I’ve got a great group of people around me, people who make me better every single day and that’s one of the most important things.”

Fast forward almost a decade, and Bassett has been one of the biggest rising stars in the CPL since he joined Atlético Ottawa ahead of the 2022 title-winning season. Bassett, alongside Ballou Tabla (who recently returned to the club), was a catalyst for the successful campaign on the pitch, but off the pitch, the Olliewood star admits he’s still working hard on himself. Social media is something that Bassett is “trying to stay off a lot more” as it’s often a “distraction from things that are more important”.

“I’m still working hard to make sure I find something that brings me joy outside of my routine,” said Bassett. “A hobby that helps you detach yourself from what you do on a daily basis is key. Having a lot of spare time, and spending it on your own, can really take its toll on you and often scrolling on social media becomes a detrimental form of escapism. I’ve been guilty of not utilizing my spare time properly in the past, and it’s something that I think is really important and I will be looking to address this season – both for me and anyone else I can help.”

Bassett’s financial contribution, thanks to VW, is but the first step in the work he wants to do in 2024 and we will follow the midfield maestro on his journey to improve his own mental health and his quest to help men in Ottawa do the same.

An investment in Atlético Ottawa doesn’t just bring you the best live sporting experience in the capital, it’s also an investment in your community. Join the Atleti Family today at the best prices through Soccerlude 2024’s promotional offer and help Atleti continue to break down the barriers that surround the Beautiful Game in your community.

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