30 May 10 - 02:38Sat 29th May'10: "Saved the Best till Last..."

A fabulous final Keeper Academy session by all accounts, as Theo and Clive delivered our last training plan of the season to a good number of keepers - both Broad Oak and from other clubs too. A real shame I was with my U13 squad in Uckfield to miss out...

Some superb performances by everyone today, particularly the younger mini-soccer keepers, and everyone got their chance to vote for their Keepers Keeper of the Year for this season! A very close run award this year - all will be revealed in July at our annual Club Presentation Evening in Eastbourne, along with the club's Keeper of the Year and Most Improved Keeper of the Year as well.

With our own Club Summer Tournament in 2 weeks time at Horam, that's the lot from Broad Oak & Horam Goalkeepers Academy for the 2009/10 season. My huge thanks go to Clive, Theo, Graham, Robert & Becky for their incredible support over the last 9 months - I can't run it without you. A big thank you to Sue & John Baldock of InterSport of Lewes & Seaford who have backed us from the very start some 3 years ago now, and who are our Academy sponsors that have paid for our amazing lemon & lime shirts & keeper bags. For those of you that have/will grow out of your shirts, or you are no longer a goalie, PLEASE HAND THEM BACK TO ME AT ANY TIME as they are expensive and can therefore be given to other young keepers who need them. I will be ordering some more, ready for September, and we will all be discussing ways to further improve the Academy for next season. This year we have successfully rolled out Midweek Keeper sessions to several age groups, introduced Keeper bags for our regular attendees, and opened the Academy up to outside clubs who have keepers needing some of our specialised 121 coaching. Where we take it next is open to any suggestions you may have, so do let us know! As soon as I have a date for our September return I will post it on this blog, so keep your eyes peeled!

In the meantime - "C'MON ENGLAND!!..."

Tim, Graham, Clive, Theo, Becky & Robert

Tim -