Ex-Sunderland and England youth star joins David Beckham and Pele with UN address | OneFootball

Former Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore addressed Global Health Futures Day at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, outlining how lessons from elite sport could be applied more widely to improve public health.

According to Sunderland Echo, the 32-year-old is head of elite performance at wellbeing firm PEAK4 alongside ongoing football involvement. He said he has long been passionate about sport’s ability to help society and called the UN platform a privilege.

His appearance placed him in notable company, with Pele, David Beckham, Didier Drogba and Kaka among those to have addressed events around the UN General Assembly. Former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has also appeared, later as president of Liberia.

Watmore joined Sunderland from Altrincham in 2013 and stayed on Wearside until November 2020, with serious knee injuries repeatedly interrupting his progress.

He made 87 senior appearances for Sunderland in all competitions and scored eight goals, including five in the league. His breakthrough came in the 2015-16 Premier League season, when he struck four times in all competitions and became a regular first-team option.

He later represented Middlesbrough and Millwall before joining Rotherham United. Away from the pitch, he completed a first-class economics degree at Newcastle University and later added a master’s qualification alongside his playing career.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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