GFA to launch Guam Goalkeeping Program for Youth

[October 9, 2020 – Harmon, Guam] In an effort to generate a wider pool of up-and-coming elite goalkeepers, as well as to promote the importance of the specialized position and its training, the Guam Football Association Technical Department has officially announced the creation of the Guam Goalkeeping Program set to launch later this month.

“In order to elevate the level of football in Guam, identifying specific key areas for development, like goalkeeping, are needed as the initial step to overall success,” said Tino San Gil, GFA President. “I applaud GFA’s Technical Department for devising initiatives to address these areas and appreciate the continuous efforts to develop the sport locally, which ultimately will lift Guam’s status on the international stage.

“Although the sport of football was at a standstill during the early months of the COVID19 pandemic, many countries have since resumed their national leagues and international fixtures. We want Guam’s players, coaches, referees, and other officials to continue building on the progress made over the years before the pandemic and have the confidence to return to the game ready to compete by providing them with these types of opportunities,” San Gil added.

The new Guam Goalkeeping Program is set to kick off Oct. 19 for eligible players from the 2005 to 2008 birth years. Only four male goalkeepers and four female goalkeepers for each birth year will be able to take part in the program. Age-eligible players with any level of goalkeeping experience are welcome to register. There is no fee to register or join the program. Registration is online at: https://guamfa.com/gfa-programs/guam-goalkeeping-program/information/

“The GFA Technical Department has identified that goalkeeping is an area that needed additional support from GFA for member clubs,” said Ross Awa, GFA Assistant Technical Director and the Guam Goalkeeping Program Director. “Most teams in Guam do not provide specialized training for their goalkeepers, but in modern football, this is a vital position. Football is now faster and more fluid and the goalkeeper’s individual technique must be on par with that of the outfield players.

“The ultimate objective of this new program is to provide a foundation for youth players who are interested in the goalkeeper position,” Awa added.

Goalkeepers in the program will be training three times a week with boys scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and girls scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Program coaches are equipped with modern training curricula for players, as well as new training equipment procured specifically for goalkeepers, including reaction balls, rebounder nets, and inflatable mannequins, among others. Through the program, players will receive training gloves and a training top.

Aside from training on the pitch, the program will also introduce Guam’s elite goalkeeper pathway, summing up a complete development program with benchmarks for each player for at least 10 years.

Coaches called up to the program are Awa, Julius Campos, Keleko Fejeran, Thomas Castro, and Sean Evans. Evans also in an active player on the Matao, Guam Men’s National Team, most recently called up for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Qualifier of the Asian Zone Round 2. Evans started in goal for Guam’s away matches against Group A table toppers Syria and China, PR.

In addition to the program, the GFA Technical Department will feature goalkeeping in a Coaching Workshop on Oct. 31.

In 2021, the GFA Technical Department looks to initiate Goalkeeping in Club Development, Goalkeeping Coaching Courses, and a Goalkeeping Coaching Mentorship Program, among other initiatives.