By JP Abcede
MANILA--Philippine men’s seniors football team and Walsall goalkeeper
Neil Etheridge returns to the country this May for the third year of the NE1
Goalkeeping School, slated on May 8-20 at the Manila Polo Club in Makati.
Etheridge will be on hand to personally teach the next batch
of keepers that could hopefully follow his footsteps.
“This
coming NE1 goalkeeping school will be after I have played another 50
games in England at a high level, proving myself to be one of the best
goalkeepers in the league”, said Etheridge. “With more experience this coming
summer, I want to show the students why I have become so successful and teach
them new exercises and drills that I have learnt to take me to the next stage
of my progression.”
He also
encourages old students to return and re-enroll in the camp.
“Every year, I try to integrate the new students with the
ones who have previously been at the school, so that they can learn from not
just myself, but each other,” he added. “Goalkeeping is always developing, but
repetition of certain drills is key to becoming a top goalkeeper.”
Aside from the basics, the former Chelsea and Fulham
youth player will also impart other necessary skills to become a complete net
minder.
“For some people, goalkeeping is only about making saves,
but there is far more to the modern-day goalkeeper than this. Footwork, both
with and without the ball; speed for darting off your line to dive at someone's
feet; cross taking; kicking; communication; confidence; fitness; diving;
handling; the list could go on”, Neil elaborated.
More than a summer camp, the NE1 Goalkeeping School also
promotes camaraderie.
“What
NE1 provides is [more than] a goalkeeping school. It is also a family
where students grow closer together as they make new friends. I take great
pride in following each individual’s progress throughout the year until the
next NE1 goalkeeping school comes around,” Etheridge shared. “Every student is
offered my time, experience, and expertise. How they use them is totally down
to the students.”
The NE1 Goalkeeping School is partnering with
2XU Compression and TUTO Goalkeeping. For details, email [email protected] or
call 09179773111.
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