Young goalkeepers sharpen skills at specialised training day

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach Grant Johnson was recently at the Greek Sporting Club, where he and his team from Behind the Gloves helped hone goalkeepers’ skills.

The open day, the first of its kind, was hosted on January 31 and catered for 75 goalies, who were split into two age groups: seven to 15 and 16 to seniors.

Suhail Bismilla of the development initiative said the day went well.

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“The players enjoyed the day, and their parents saw first-hand what specialised goalkeeper training is about. To have 75 players participate in our open day was beyond our imagination,” said Bismilla.

He explained that Johnson founded the Behind the Gloves initiative to fill the gap in grassroots goalkeeper development in SA.

Johnson, who has played football for 30 years, 15 of which he played professionally, and is the national goalkeeper coach, said, “I realised no quality goalkeepers were coming through the system, and it all starts at a young age. I plan to host training and development days more often.”

Johnson explained that a key element to being a good goalkeeper was learning the right technique.

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“Once you learn the right technique, things become easier, but many players haven’t learnt the right technique, so that’s what days like this are all about, teaching the proper technique so they progress as goalkeepers and one day play professionally.”

Johnson said Behind the Gloves hopes to partner with clubs in the area and across Gauteng. For more information about Behind the Gloves, call 074 789 0923.