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News

New Gloves Imminent!

Steve Hale Goalkeeping School can today announce that its own branded goalkeeping gloves will be despatched from the manufacturer at the end of this week so should be available at the end of August. To start with only one style of glove will be produced, a Roll Finger glove with the best 4mm supasoft latex used and will be available in sizes 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10. A price will be finalised shortly and there will be pictures on this website, so watch this space for further news on arrival.

(August)

Under 13 Goalkeeper Sought

Blunsdon Colts Under 13's are looking for a new goalkeeper for the coming season who play on a Sunday, if you are interested please call Nigel Sawyer on 01793 336608 for more details

(August)

Chippy Passes

James "Chippy" Whitlock has successfully passed his FA Level Two Goalkeeping Certificate today at Nationwide Sports Ground in Swindon. Under the watchful eye of Martin Thomas from the National FA goalkeeping department Chippy completed the course he started last year. At Steve Hale Goalkeeping School it shows our continual process of attaining the best coaches to help our goalkeepers of the future develop. Congratulations go to Chippy!

(June)

Antell to the SPL

Following on from the news that first year scholar Jamie Stephens from Swindon Town who recently took part in a special event at Steve Hale Goalkeeping School signed for Liverpool, second year scholar also from Swindon Town, Callum Antell who also took part in the event has today signed a two year professional contract with Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.

 

Steve Hale said:

 

"Callum was in the unfortunate position at Swindon that the club already has 4 professional goalkeepers so it was always going to be difficult for him to earn a full contract and continue his development. I am thrilled to bits that Callum has earned a two year deal at Hibernian as over the last year I have got quite close to him working with him whenever I could and talking to him regularly about his game. Callum has a terrific attitude and works very hard at his game, in particular over the last year his kicking has come on hugely and he now kicks it miles! In Scotland they have an Under 19's league where the team play against the other big name sides such as Celtic and Rangers so he will have another full year playing as he continues to develop and its hoped he will get some reserve team games under his belt and their reserves play arranged games against the likes of Newcastle and Sunderland as well as Celtic and Rangers so it will be a fantastic experience for him and will help him keep developing. At one stage Callum also had Motherwell and Hearts battling out for his signature but opted for Hibernian where they made him feel most welcome so it shows what can be achieved with the hard work and good attitude that Callum has shown. I am still in regular contact with him and will definitely be keeping up with how things are going for him and hopefully one day he will return to my goalkeeping school for a session with my lads again."

(May 10)

The Importance of Kicking

With the season just finished and promotion achieved as Goalkeeping Coach at Zamaretto South & West Division side Cirencester Town where I also do stats during a game both on the team but in particular the goalkeeper, Matt Bath, it is interesting to see how important good distribution, in particular kicking is. Below are Matt's stats over the 26 game period since I joined and you will see how much kicking work is done in a game compared to actual saves made. This I hope will highlight to all goalkeepers how important it is to work on these skills as much as your handling and footwork drills. Practise at your clubs training session, or down the park with your friends or family as developing your kicking skills takes time and practise practise practise and certainly for the younger goalkeepers it may take even longer as your body and muscles start to develop.

 

Crosses

Open Play 6yd Box Caught = 54
Open Play 6yd Box Punched = 2
Open Play Outside 6yd Box Caught = 15
Open Play Outside 6yd Box Punched = 3
Corner Kick 6yd Box Caught = 2

Corner Kick 6yd Box Punched = 2
Corner Kick Outside 6yd Box Caught = 1

Free Kick Outside 6yd Box Caught = 1

Free Kick Outside 6yd Box Punched = 1
Open Play Dropped / Flapped = 7

Kicking 

(I deem successful as to a Ciren player or into a decent area, Unsuccessful I deem out of play or into a bad area.)

Goal Kicks Successful = 195
Goal Kicks Unsuccessful = 27
Volley from Hands Successful = 193
Volley from Hands Unsuccessful = 14
Drop Kick from Hands Successful = 12
Drop Kick from Hands Unsuccessful = 5
Kick from Floor Successful = 192
Kick from Floor Unsuccessful = 18
Back Pass Dealt Successful = 49
Back Pass Dealt Unsuccessful = 14
Through Ball Dealt Successful = 31
Through Ball Dealt Unsuccessful = 5

Total Times Kicked the Ball = 755

Throwing

Over-arm Throw Successful = 23

Over-arm Throw Unsuccesful = 1
Under-arm Throw Successful = 8

Saves

Straight at Held = 22
Straight at Parried = 4

Straight at Tipped Over = 1
To Right Held = 8
To Right Parried = 2
To Right Tipped Over / Round = 5
To left Held = 6
To Left Parried = 6
To Left Tipped Over / Round = 1
One v Ones Saved / Blocked = 11

Total Saves = 66

Goals Conceded = 24
Clean Sheets = 11

(May 10)

 

 

Two Day Course With Special Guest Announced!

We will be holding a Two Day course on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd May at Cirencester Town FC for goalkeepers aged 7-18 years of age, please see courses page for details. We will have in attendance to give out the prizes Swindon Town's First Team Goalkeeper David Lucas who has had a tremendous first season at the club. David will also sign autographs and pose for photographs so this is an opportunity not to be missed!

(April 10)

Special Event for Team Managers/Coaches or Parents

Please see the courses page for a special event for all managers, coaches or parents who want to help their goalkeepers develop.

(April 10)

Off to Anfield

16 year old Swindon Town Youth team goalkeeper Jamie Stephens who recently appeared at a special session at Steve Hale Goalkeeping School has just completed a dream move having signed for Premiership giants Liverpool.

 

Steve Hale said:

 

 "Jamie came to us at Swindon when he was 14 and I got the chance to work with him over the past couple of seasons and between George Wood (First Team Goalkeeping Coach at Swindon) and myself its been great to see him develop. Its a fantastic move for him, he has secured a 3 year Professional deal and will train with Mark Morris the Academy Goalkeeping Coach and John Achterberg the Reserve team goalkeeping coach at Liverpool. He has just returned from a tournament in Holland where he played against Ajax, China and the biggest game of all, Barcelona, all of which will have been an amazing experience for him. Jamie is a great lad and has a great attitude to his work and i'm so pleased for him, he is an example to all young goalkeepers what can be achieved and I will follow his career closely"

(April 10)

Two Day Course

Details will shortly be released of a Two Day course at the end of the season, please keep your eye on the site for more news which will include news of a special guest to hand out the awards...............

(March 10)

Spaces Available

We currently have spaces available in our regular Monday evening sessions as Ruskin Junior School, Stratton, Swindon. In particular in the 6-10 year old category which runs from 5.15pm - 6.15pm. See courses page for downloadable application forms.

(January 10)

On Trial

Young Joe Smith is the latest young goalkeeper from Steve Hale Goalkeeping School to go on trial at football league one side Swindon Town. Joe who had only recently joined has shown some good early promise and will now spend the next six weeks trying to impress the Swindon coaching staff enough to earn a Centre of Excellence contract, we wish Joe well. 

(January 10)

 

 

Andover Area Coaching

Steve Hale Goalkeeping School will also be coaching from January in the Andover area on behalf of the successful

 "Lions in the Community Scheme". You can visit their website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/lionsinthecommunity/

 

For further details of the coaching and for an application form please contact Cathy Devereux on 07825 339091 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

(December 09)

 

 

Me-and-Martin-Thomas-on-passing-my-GK-B-LicenceAnother Qualification Gained!

Steve Hale has today successfully passed his Uefa "B" Goalkeeping Licence with the highest grade pass possible of "Excellent"

 

Steve is pictured left, receiving a "Well done!" handshake from Martin Thomas, one of the FA National goalkeeping coaches,

(December 09)

 

Qualification Gained

Steve Hale has today successfully passed his FA Basic Treatment of Injury Course.  (November 09)

 


Discounts on Goalkeeping Equipment

Just in time for Christmas, members of Steve Hale Goalkeeping School are entitled to discounts from two suppliers whose website addresses can be found on the Links page. Pro Goalkeeper will shortly be sending  15% discount vouchers which are valid until May 2010 and Goalkeepers Direct have provided us with a special code which can be used when ordering which will allow members of the goalkeeping school 10% off their order. For further information please contact Steve direct.  (November 09)

 

Goalkeeper Needed

Supermarine Under 9's who play in the North Wilts Youth League are on the lookout for a goalkeeper. Anyone interested please contact Ian Howell on 07818 007126.  (October 09)

 

 

Representative Honours

Congratulations go to Dan Lawrence who has been selected for this season's Under 11 North Wilts League Rep Team.  Dan has been a member of Steve Hale Goalkeeping School for a couple of seasons now and this is just reward for the progress he has made.  Well done Dan!  (October 09)

 

 

New "Girls Only" Course

We will shortly be opening up a session just for girls, the first time in the area specialised goalkeeping coaching has been provided for one of the fastest growing sports. See courses page for more details.  (September 09)

 

Get Well Soon

Young Alex Mathews this week unfortunately suffered an horrific cut to his leg while down at his local park. Alex underwent an operation which thankfully went well and will now be out for a few weeks recovering from this. We wish Alex well and look forward to seeing him back at the Monday night sessions in the weeks to come, get well soon Alex.  (September 09)

 

 

On Trial

We would like to wish Jack Goodenough good luck as he shortly starts a trial period within the Youth setup at Blue Square Premier side Oxford Utd. Jack who has been with us since Steve Hale Goalkeeping School was formed, has a two week assessment initially then possibly a 6 week trial period, we wish Jack well. Also on trial is Tyler Burton who is just starting a trial spell with the Centre of Excellence at Swindon Town, again we wish Tyler well. Both Jack and Tyler follow in the footsteps of Jared Thompson, Calli Smith and Adam Godsell who have all gone on from Steve Hale Goalkeeping School to be associated with a professional club. (September 09)

 

 

Sponsorship Deal Secured

Steve Hale Goalkeeping School is pleased to announce it has secured a sponsorship deal with "The Upper Crust Sandwich Bar" based in Calne. This popular sandwich bar not only supplies the local community of Calne with breakfast and lunchtime requirements but also provides catering for weddings, birthdays, business lunches, christenings and many more events across the county.

 

The sponsorship will see Steve Hale Goalkeeping School staff wearing new training kit for the coming season. More details will follow shortly, but in the meantime if you have an event that needs catering for, please contact Simon Hillier on 01249 813179 who will be able to provide you with a competitive quote. (August 09)

 

 

Two Day Course 3rd & 4th August

The latest two day course finished yesterday and despite the weather not being the best we managed to avoid the worst of the rain for a succesful two days. 16 young goalkeepers ranging from 6 to 13 years old were put through their paces looking at handling, footwork, positioning, crosses, one v ones and agility and they also took part in some fun games such as "Keeper Wars" and a "Reaction Saves" game.

 

At the end of the course medals and certificates were presented to each of the children by young Swindon Town goalkeeper Mark Scott. Two awards were also made, firstly "Best Attitude" went to eleven year old Scott Gunning and the "Top Goalie" award went to six year old Oliver Baycroft who showed a great attitude, good ability for someone so young and a chirpy personality!!

 

Pictures will be online in the next few weeks of this course and previous courses and award winners. (August 09)

 

 

Training Kit for Keepers

 

Steve Hale Goalkeeping School will soon be able to supply a training kit package for its goalkeepers, from a top Italian Kit Supplier. More details to follow......  (August 09)