England Handball is thrilled to announce the resounding success of its recent Goalkeeping Training Camp, which took place in Nottingham. The camp brought together 27 goalkeepers across all ages, demonstrating the bright future of goalkeeping within England Handball.
Led by Joao Castro, the EPA Head Coach and Goalkeeping expert, the camp offered a day packed with diverse training sessions. It combined physical preparation, technical drills, and tactical insights, creating a brilliant and well-rounded training experience. Joao Castro shared his thoughts on the day, saying:
“It was a great camp fully dedicated to goalkeeper preparation. To work with 27 goalkeepers from different ages is an amazing sign for the future. Clio Stephanides (GB Senior Women GK) was part of the coaching staff on the day and said, ‘It is so worthwhile, and I hope we can help more of these goalkeepers achieve better performance and perhaps GB standard.”‘
Clio Stephanides, a member of the GB Senior Women’s team, provided invaluable expertise, offering the participants a rare opportunity to train under the guidance of a top-level player. Her presence emphasises the dedication and commitment that the elite players have to developing new talent in England and ensuring they give back to the handball community.
England Handball’s camps are designed to provide an immersive experience for both players and coaches. For goalkeepers, it’s an opportunity to train in a high-performance environment and gain insights into advanced techniques. For coaches, the camp serves as a springboard for professional growth, offering ample contact time with experts like Joao Castro and providing inspiration to enhance their coaching methods.
One coach who attended the camp, Annica shared their experience:
“The goalkeeper camp was a great opportunity for both new and experienced coaches to expand their knowledge. For me, it solidified my existing understanding while introducing new exercises that pushed me to continue growing as a coach. It was also a chance to spend time with the keepers from the Regional Academy and the Club to support their development and challenge them further in their journey.”
The training focused on multiple aspects of goalkeeping, from technical positioning during match scenarios to tactical awareness and decision-making. Participants learned about the importance of movement patterns, injury prevention strategies, and warm-up routines tailored to goalkeepers.
One of the standout features of the camp was the inclusive and engaging atmosphere. Both players and coaches highlighted the sense of community fostered throughout the day. Goalkeepers were actively involved in all aspects of the training, ensuring they felt valued and supported in their development.
Annica further added:
“An impactful aspect of the camp was how it encouraged athletes to be more aware of the movements goalkeepers make, helping them become more independent in their warm-ups, injury prevention, and movement exercises. The second part of the camp included how to move and position oneself during match play and how to behave in different scenarios. Throughout, both coaches and athletes felt welcomed and included in the learning process. The goalkeepers were actively engaged and made to feel included, which I’m sure made the day more meaningful for them.”
England Handball is committed to delivering exceptional development opportunities for athletes and coaches alike. The success of the most recent Goalkeeping Training Camp in Nottingham is one of many opportunities that England Handball if proud to provide the handball community.
Keep an eye out for upcoming training events, and take the next step in your handball journey!
English