Our final day of the summer camp 2011 and we decided to have some fun by making it a “Bad Hair Day”. Most of our keepers bought into the fun aspect of this occasion and turned up in a variety of wigs or used more cans of dye and wax than Boots the Chemist actually stock. We had a competition for the best hair – with prizes at stake – and the winners were notably Charlie and Lawrie.

Honourable mentions go to Rian and Brodie for their efforts. Brodie had won Super Keeper today AND his Goalie Wars competion so we felt it only fair to spread the recognition and Mars Bars around. However, his Freida from Abba look went down a treat with coaches and keepers alike. Rian’s massive Dennis the Menace style afro also caught the judges eye but as Rian naturally sports a similar hairstyle it was felt he perhaps was not too far removed from the norm (Sorry Rian!)

After an hour long session taking in aspects of the wide range of things we covered this week – groups covered everything from handling to recovery saves to footwork – we had our traditional Friday session of Goalie Wars. Keepers young and old always love this aspect of training when they are indulged and today was no exception. Separated by age and stage we first had team goalie wars. The Seniors were split into three groups – reds, blues and non-bibs. After a round robin of clashes, the Reds came out worthy winners – winning each and every tie they played. Well done to Liam, Michael, Rian, Danny and Sean! In the Junior Team event the side containing Grant, Morgan, Struan and Adam came out worthy winners.

We then had a pairs event for the Seniors which saw Michael teaming up with Coach Stuart to win that competion. Although Stuart is a coach Michael is actually not a goalkeeper and so this was some effort – as all the opposing sides persisted in shooting at the non-keeper in the duo only to find him making save after save.

The Coaches Challenge – the decider

Today 4 games of handball decided the outcome of the coaches challenge. Each age group in turn took on the coaches with points available for the victors counting towards the final Coaches Challenge result. This time the Seniors were allowed to join in just to make things more interesting. However, the coaches quickly despatched the oldest boys 1-0 after Gavin needlessly fouled Coach Stuart and conceded a penalty. The second oldest group were readily overcome through quick work and a 3-0 scoreline did not flatter the coaches. The only thing standing between them and the overall triumph were the two youngest groups…

The coaches, sure of victory, came onto the park with some convaluted celebration showing a fish being reeled in on a line. As Coach Stuart lay on the ground flapping about like a haddy and Coach Andy reeled him in, quick thinking keepers moved the ball up the park and David Harrold put the ball into the net. 1-0 to the kids after only 5 seconds. A stunned coaches side retaliated to make it 1-1 but things were to end in controversial circumstances as the referee failed to hear a shout of “keepers” from Coach Andy and a penalty was awarded to the Keepers. It was duly converted and the whistle then went conveniently immediately after…

With Super Keeper Brodie’s side scoring double in the final game it meant the last contest would in effect settle the overall competition for the week. With Robbie scoring early doors having learned from the impact of his peers in the previous game, the Keepers were confident that they could overcome the Coaches. Again, the Coaches equalised but a second penalty for not shouting “keepers” was awarded against the Coaches and this was again converted with ease. To rub salt into the wounds the youngest keepers added a further goal before the final whistle went.

Scoreline from today – Coaches 2 Keepers 3

Scoreline overall -       Coaches 2 Keepers 3
WELL DONE KEEPERS!

Super keeper of the Day – Brodie