This April (17-18), St. George’s Park will once again play host to one of The FA’s most popular national coaching events – The FA Goalkeeper Conference.
For two days, attendees will be able to observe some of England’s top coaches deliver bespoke workshops and presentations dedicated to the latest coaching best practice, insight and guidance for working with keepers.
But while it may have ‘goalkeeper’ in its title, this is not an event solely aimed at goalkeeper coaches.
“It's a conference for everyone”, explains Martin Thomas, The FA’s lead goalkeeper coach educator and the man responsible for organising the event.
“Yes it is a goalkeeper conference, but alongside the technical and specific details of developing goalkeepers, there will also be a focus on the tactical elements and on the role of the keeper within defensive units.
“What we’ve been really keen to do is to create a programme that not only provides value to goalkeeper specialists, but also for outfield coaches who may wish to understand a bit better or a bit more about working with their keepers.”
Designing the conference this way, he goes on to explain, has the added purpose of reinforcing one of The FA’s key goalkeeping messages.
“We always use the mantra – the goalkeeper is a part of the team, not apart from the team.
“It’s important to remember that the goalkeeper will always get assessed actually playing the game, which involves all 11 players.
Coaches observing a practical session at last year's conference at St. George's Park
“That means it is really important that outfield coaches also have a good understanding of the profile and the requirements of their keepers.
“To that end, we have carefully put together this year’s programme to ensure it meets the needs of everyone.”
Among those set to deliver that programme are renowned coaches from FA, England and professional academy set-ups.
That includes Lee Kendall, England Women’s senior goalkeeper coach, as well as Eric Steele, former Manchester United and Derby County goalkeeper coach, and Max Johnson, Manchester City academy foundation phase coach
England Women's Senior Goalkeeper Coach, Lee Kendall, will feature at this year's conference
All three will feature as part of the event’s ‘coaching through the development phases” session, which is focused on providing specialist insight into coaching at the foundation, youth development, and professional development age-groups as well as women’s goalkeeping.
“Our objective is to give coaches an opportunity to come and see what are considered to be the best goalkeeper coaches at work,” Thomas adds.
“Max, as well as Jack Robinson from Manchester United’s academy and Paul Clements from Huddersfield, will offer a lot of experience working with young players at club level.
“While the presence of experienced international coaches, such as Eric Steele, Leanne Hall – one of the only UEFA A Licence female goalkeeper coaches in the world – England women’s goalkeeper coach, Lee Kendall, as well as Tim Dittmer, FA lead national goalkeeping coach, and Tony Elliott, England Blind, CP, and Futsal goalkeeper coach, will make for a fantastic two days at the national football centre."
