Scottish goalie trend (part 1): Dave's thoughts

With the blog growing and growing in readership and my lack of enthusiasm and writing, I thought I would start with the input of a new approach and tact. You read about the goalkeepers you admire and inspire you, you watch how they play and learn off them, so why not also hear what they have to say from a personal account?!

With there being a far amount of Scottish goalkeepers in the league, I thought a great place to start would be looking at the recent success with Scottish talent blooming in the National Premier league and why they are there. Perhaps due to a different system of coaching and learning as goalkeepers in the Scottish way of doing things? And to find out what they've got in the water up there (as the old saying goes). I've had the chance to interview Dave Forrester, Jamie Cachia and Allan for the feature (thanks guys!) and will be wrapping it up with some thoughts. Hopefully this will give you greater insight into the life and world of a top tier goalie in hockey and learn a thing or two at the same time!

So let's get the ball a-rollin' with an interview with David Forrester, who is currently going from success to success with taking over as no.1 at Cannock and recent call-ups for international action.

Dave in recent action for Scotland.

1. You’ve had a pretty immediate impact in the English leagues, first at Old Loughtonians (where your absence is obvious) and now at Cannock, do you think this in part due to the foundation technique you learnt growing up in Scotland?

I think that the technical coaching I received in Scotland was a massive part in my successful impact within the English Leagues. I was fortunate to benefit from the coaching of Jimi Lewis as Scotland’s GK coach until recently, a role which has been taken on by Graham ‘Geeg’ Stuart with the same principles being applied. This allowed me to develop a solid technical basis which I have carried into the English leagues. Having this strong basis makes it easy for me to realise when I am doing things well, but also where I am going wrong if the ball ends up in the net!

2. How have you found the switch to English league play? And are there any differences that stand out between it and the standard of training and play in the Scottish equivalent?

While I have found the transition to the English Leagues relatively comfortable, my accent can gets lost in translation! I have found myself having to make a conscious effort to be easier to understand south of the border. There are, however, other less trivial differences.

There is more of a focus on physicality in the English leagues compared to their equivalent in Scotland where there is more of an emphasis on skill. At club level the setup in England is more professional, both in terms of training and playing. With greater strength in depth in terms of personnel allowing more intensity in the training environment, it is natural that the competitive league standard is higher in England.

Finally I think there is a more consistent standard of team in the English Leagues, with every game in the Premier League being a tough battle. Most teams can beat most others on their day. The same is not true in Scotland where there is a much greater gap from the top of National 1 to the bottom. The fact that the same team has won the league 11 times in a row probably illustrates that quite well!

3. Do you think your university years and your decision to stay on longer in Scotland have been more useful than a hindrance in your development as a starting national league goalkeeper?

I look at my time playing hockey at Edinburgh University as absolutely crucial in my development.  Edinburgh was unique in Scotland at the time (and still are!) as we competed against the top British Universities in the BUCS Championship, in addition to challenging all the top non-university sides in national league 1.

As an 18 year old GK I was given a 1^st team berth that I would not have had at any other club in the country and an opportunity to show what I could do.  My 5 years at University allowed me to take on leadership roles within the team, including captaining them, and to develop my technique at as high a standard as you could find in Scotland.

Do I think I could have moved to a national league club down south sooner? I probably could have, but I do not really regret staying on in Scotland as it allowed me to be sure that moving to the English National Leagues was the right thing to do.

4. Do you think it was solely your own personal motivation to be where you are?

Whilst I was advised that a move down South would benefit me in my international career, I do not think that this means it was not my own personal desires that motivated my move South.

I was the person that realised that I may have the opportunity to take my hockey more seriously, and as a result I feel that any decision about where I should play is based on my basic personal motivation to be a success.

5. Was Allan Dick, as a name that stands out, any part of that inspiration for playing in the Premier league from your early days in the Scottish national league?

While I was playing in Scotland I was aware of the success being enjoyed in England by both Allan Dick and Ally McGregor in the English Leagues. I wouldn’t say that I was directly motivated by a desire to emulate them by playing in the English Prem, but as a result of their success I was obviously aware of the potential opportunities for Scottish GKs within the English National League.

6. And the adage of an older, wiser goalkeeper being suited, have you found that to ring true, as a result of your patience?

Experience is a massive benefit when you are a GK. It may not be the case that your technique will change much between the age of 21 and 30, but your experiences in such a period will no doubt enhance your ability to communicate effectively and read the game as it unfolds.

Personally I have found that my patience at senior international level has allowed me to develop as a GK away from the scrutiny and intense pressure that comes with being an international 1^st choice GK. I feel better prepared now to take on such a role than I did 2 seasons ago, that’s for sure.

7. Have you found the physical geographical move help with the psychological aspects of goalkeeping like in the maturation process moulding your decision making and cool headedness?

The last 4 years have seen me play with 4 different clubs in 3 different geographical locations. Having thrown myself in at the deep end when I moved down south to play with Old Loughts, I found myself having to adapt to a new location, new facilities, a new club and a whole new group of people. The same is true of Cannock this season.

I have definitely matured as a person, and realise that there is life beyond hockey. This has benefited me on the pitch as I can play without putting too much unnecessary pressure on myself. This is something which has definitely helped me with decision making, and reacting to unfortunate things like conceding a dodgy goal!

8. What elements of Scottish coaching and the hockey system have you found to have set you up well for your current standard of play?

I think there is a definite no-nonsense coaching policy in Scotland, and many coaches I have worked with have been very straight talking. If you have done something wrong, you will know about it pretty soon! As a result I have always been fairly analytical and critical of my own performances and pushing to improve myself. This is something that is definitely transferable my current standard of play in the English Prem. The use of video analysis in the Scotland programme is similar to that used at Cannock and allows me to analyse my own performance.

Also, in Scotland we have in the past done a fair bit of GK work with all the goalkeepers in the men’s and women’s teams. This has allowed us GKs to train with each other, and learn from what other GKs do well. This aspect of the Scottish system has definitely enhanced my technique and set me up well for the English Prem.

9. What do you think of Scotland’s future in goal going forward?

On the men’s side personally I hope to be around for a fair time yet! Beyond me and the other current GKs (Jamie Cachia and Gav Somerville), there are a some talented GKs coming through the ranks – I have no doubt that I will soon be having to fence off competition from younger, equally ambitious GKs.

With the girl’s there is currently a talented crop of GKs lead by Amy Gibson and Nicki Cochrane. I have no doubt that their success will be inspiring many junior GKs, so I am not overly worried about the future of the female Scottish GK.