Another signing I missed was New Zealand international (and former NZ junior international) Taylor Craigie signing with Beeston. The Nottinghamshire side are seemingly turning to the internationally experienced goalkeeper instead of Sam Hujwan with him starting a number of games so far this season. It will be interesting to see if this pattern of bringing in international goalkeepers will continue for Premier league sides in the years to come, while the more standup style goalkeeper adapts to the challenges and style of English hockey this season.
Sunday, 5 November 2023
Stan Cooke replaces Asif
Late update for goalkeeper transfer movements but it turns out Stan Cooke has replaced Alex Asif at Bromley and Beckenham. It looks like BromBecks are relying on youth with the young goalkeeper getting the chance to take over full time and coaching staff are putting their trust in the young goalie. It will be interesting to see how things pan out for them and how well/quickly Stan adapts to the pace and skill of national league play.
Sunday, 15 October 2023
Asif at Old Georgians
Turns out I was wrong (as usual!) as Alex Asif has moved to Old Georgians and was part of the EHL squad last weekend as the league winners played out their round games in Europe. My information was old/rumours/dud as he may have been training with Wimbledon in the summer but joined the Weybridge side instead. Mark Haycroft is at Wimbledon and has been competing for games, starting instead of Ore for the last couple.
Sunday, 1 October 2023
Anton van Loggerenberg
Another big goalkeeper signing in the preseason was South African international Anton van Loggerenberg signing with Southgate in their return to the Premier league. Anton was a been a big help for South Africa in their promotion from their international group and is looking to test his ability and mettle abroad. It will be interesting to see how he gets on as the first South Africa international goalie to be playing in the English leagues since Chris Hibbert who also used to play for Southgate. It is good to see how the English league is seen as a benchmark for development and top tier competitive play drawing in international players.
Dewi Roblin joins Surbiton
Another goalkeeper signing in the merry go round of transfers this preseason was Dewi Roblin moving from Hampstead and Westminster to Surbiton. With Ore moving to Wimbledon, Dewi will slot in behind Mazarelo and offer coverage when James is away on international duty, whilst also playing national league with the 2s. The signing is a good example of getting goalkeeping depth sorted for clubs with international players and will see Dewi stay in contention for Wales goalkeeping depth as well as playing indoor with Surbiton, having playing experience for H&W in the indoor format.
Ore joins Wimbledon
Ore Ogunlana has moved from Surbiton to Wimbledon, with James Bailey presumably returning after long serving the Surrey side in the National Premier league and European competitive player. Ore is known for his memorable performance gaining Surbiton their first EHL medal and will obviously be looking to push on and get regular playing time in the Premier league since Mazarelo's arrival after his days playing at Loughborough.
You can see him playing at 3:20 in the highlights reel of Week 1 from the English Hockey League:
Men's Premier Division Highlights Week 1 - YouTube
Alex Asif joins Wimbledon
Late news as always, but Alex Asif has moved from Bromley & Beckenham to Wimbledon, adding to Wimbledon's goalkeeping depth. I'm still not sure who exactly has filled the open spot at Bromley but it will be interesting to see how Alex gets on playing national league with Wimbledon's 2s and staying in competition in Wales' goalkeeping depth as a Wales development squad player.
Olly Smart joins EG
Nottingham graduate Olly Smart has joined East Grinstead, signing with the Sussex based Premier league team after playing a number of seasons of BUCS and league games with the Nottingham University club. His last season was at Premier league level so the side and Olly himself will obviously be looking to compete for 1st team hockey as he builds off EDP selection for U23s.
With Richard Curtis having established himself as first choice, after his move from Holcombe, it will be interesting to see how management manage the two goalies and who wins the battle for the 'number 1 shirt' this season.
Sunday, 16 October 2022
Transfer news: Seager-Green joins Wimbledon
Another England Hockey league transfer saw Taylor Seager-Green join Wimbledon HC. Having finished his degree at Exeter, where he was the first-choice goalkeeper, the former Surbiton starter will now be competing for playing time with league veteran James Bailey.
Taylor was benching at the Euro Hockey League and will presumably be biding his time until Bailey retires and moves on, freeing up the number 1 spot at the club. The GB U23 goalie was involved in the Young Ones tournament during pre-season and will probably be "chomping at the bit" to get playing time.
With Wimbledon taking part in the Super Sixes event, Seager-Green's experience playing for Surbiton indoors should also give him another opportunity to impress the management team at Wimbledon.
Goalie transfers: Foxall-Smith joins Bath
An interesting transfer in the England Hockey leagues has seen Robert Foxall-Smith switch from Brooklands MU to Team Bath Buccaneers. Rob made his debut for the National Premier league side and was their starting goalkeeper for the majority of the season as the team adjusted to new players within the squad and against tough opposition, being dominated in games against Surbiton and Wimbledon.
Bath are obviously looking to push for promotion this season, hoping that Rob's playing experience will give them an edge and shore up their defence in a division that has already see high scoring games from the likes of Southgate (under Kwan Brown's leadership) and Old Loughtonians (newly promoted into South 1) run away with games; Southgate having already won two games with a score line of 7-1 to their advantage.
Rob has also taken up a coaching position with the Ladies at TBB, making the most of his playing experience and tactical knowledge to add to his resume and coaching experience.
Images courtesy of SITTL:
Sports images through the Lens | Sevenoaks v Team Bath Buccaneers (sittl.co.uk)
Goalie transfers: Maz joins Surbiton
Obviously old news, but newsworthy as England's no. 2 Jason Mazarelo has joined Surbiton and will be helping them compete for the title and European hockey. With Harry Gibson having retired, Surbiton bolster their goalkeeping depth with the former Loughborough Students goalie, strengthening their defence with an up-and-coming goalkeeper who will be competing with Ollie Payne for international playing time.
Maz made his home debut for Surbiton against East Grinstead, achieving a clean sheet, and will obviously be looking to get many more clean sheets during his time with the club.
England GK James Mazarelo Signs for SHC | Surbiton Hockey Club (surbitonhc.com)
Sunday, 26 September 2021
Ore starts against Oxted
Surbiton played away against Oxted this afternoon and interestingly Ore Ogunlana started for the squad for the second time in a row, having started against Holcombe last week. Surbiton have recently stacked out their goalkeeping department with the addition of Alex Tooney from Richmond and look like they will be rotating a larger squad with 3 goalies like they did previously when Jack Tranter signed with them (Jack having played at Durham last season).
Ore has a lot of indoor experience, having taken the indoor team to the finals in the most recent Super Sixes but has only managed a couple of outdoor fixtures when he joined the side after university. Ore himself played at Durham whilst at university, competing with Ollie Payne for starts.
It will be interesting to see how the squad rotation works for the season and how much Harry plays this season, given his potential international commitments next year. Competition between all 3 goalkeepers should keep them all sharp and push them to be their best, when selected.
It will also be interesting to see if any other club sides go with . Hampstead and Westminster have seen rotation between Toby and Ore's brother Lekan after Toby struggled with concussion symptoms after colliding with a Surbiton player two seasons ago with a knee to the head.
Ore didn't have too much to do, with Surbiton picking up the pace after a close affair in the first half, running out 5-2 winners, with Oxted not testing him as much as they would have liked.
Thursday, 23 September 2021
Curtis starts for EG
Last weekend saw Richard Curtis start for East Grinstead, as expected, against Oxted in their first game of the season. Brought in over the summer, the expectation would be that, as an experienced starter in the Premier league with Holcombe, he would be the first choice for the season. Sam Lloyd will therefore be second choice now and will compete for game time with him.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out over the season (which is being played in a different format due to the international games in 2022 clashing with scheduling and player availability), given that the competition between goalkeepers on the training ground, will only serve to see both goalkeepers push themselves (and each other) to bring out the best in themselves.
Apologies for the potato camera but this was all I could manage with my usual camera out of action...
Sunday, 12 September 2021
Richard Curtis joins EG
East Grinstead have added to their goalkeeping depth with the signing of South African goalie Richard Curtis from Holcombe.
Curtis has played for a number of seasons in the England Hockey League and is a tall, agile and athletic goalkeeper capable of making sublime saves at the top level of the game in England. He comes across as a goalie who makes big saves but sometimes struggles to re-focus after conceding and has seen some mismatched results because of it. I think if he works on his focus, confidence and ability to wither the storm (i.e. when Holcombe's defence struggled), he could be a really formidable goalkeeper. With Rassie Pieterse retiring after the Tokyo Olympics, South Africa's management should really consider him in their development plans going forward.
Presumably Ollie Payne will be back with Holcombe for the club season after his achievements making the Olympic squad over the summer, hence the reason for Curtis seeking a move for more regular game time, having previously played full time at the Kent based club.
Curtis joins Sam Lloyd who played in last season's Covid-hit schedule and has also recently represented Scotland over the summer in international competition.
It will be interesting to see how the goalie battle works out and who takes the number 1 shirt and runs with it this season for East Grinstead.
Sunday, 24 March 2019
MyGoals with fieldhockeygoalies.com
An interesting bit of info unrelated to hockey news, is a project I'm working on/with for the MyGoals program by fieldhockeygoalies.com. Anne is going live with the MyGoals system which allows you to track and keep record of your game performances as a way of learning and preventing future mistakes by going through your match data.
There is also a giveaway competition they are running, for Sports 101 goalie camps, which is the perfect way to get access to some free goalie coaching, whether to tune up your skills, or learn some new ones! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3alqLl6B4/
The idea behind MyGoals is to record data from every game, so that you can see for yourself how many shots you're facing and see the bigger picture of a scoreline from the weekend. So you lost 5-0? Well, that doesn't include the unknown facts that you saved 10 and kept the score going into double figures!!
Even if you're not looking to keep data on your goalies (if you're a coach etc.) or record your own data from saves made etc. during your own games, it's more than well recommended to keep you improving every game as well as know what to work on for the future.
Pro soccer (footie) goalies keep match records for each and every season, as do ice hockey goalies and high level hockey goalies, to work on self improvement and finetuning their technique and it's a great way of working on your own development, especially if you don't have a coach to work with.
Having trouble with certain shots? Or struggle with specific game scenarios? Keeping a diary, you can go through areas you want to work on at training as well as ensure future mistakes, as you keep track of the things you struggle with, and more importantly, do well in. But obviously don't get self crticial or over think/analyse things, as it does you no good psychologically and won't help in the long run! Self love as well as self improve ;)
Go on over to https://fieldhockeygoalies.com/ to check out the site as well as their Instagram profile to compete in the competition!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu9DBwsFnT7/
There is also a giveaway competition they are running, for Sports 101 goalie camps, which is the perfect way to get access to some free goalie coaching, whether to tune up your skills, or learn some new ones! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3alqLl6B4/
The idea behind MyGoals is to record data from every game, so that you can see for yourself how many shots you're facing and see the bigger picture of a scoreline from the weekend. So you lost 5-0? Well, that doesn't include the unknown facts that you saved 10 and kept the score going into double figures!!
Even if you're not looking to keep data on your goalies (if you're a coach etc.) or record your own data from saves made etc. during your own games, it's more than well recommended to keep you improving every game as well as know what to work on for the future.
Pro soccer (footie) goalies keep match records for each and every season, as do ice hockey goalies and high level hockey goalies, to work on self improvement and finetuning their technique and it's a great way of working on your own development, especially if you don't have a coach to work with.
Having trouble with certain shots? Or struggle with specific game scenarios? Keeping a diary, you can go through areas you want to work on at training as well as ensure future mistakes, as you keep track of the things you struggle with, and more importantly, do well in. But obviously don't get self crticial or over think/analyse things, as it does you no good psychologically and won't help in the long run! Self love as well as self improve ;)
Go on over to https://fieldhockeygoalies.com/ to check out the site as well as their Instagram profile to compete in the competition!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu9DBwsFnT7/
Monday, 18 February 2019
Rory Kerr joins Richmond
It would seem that Richmond are strengthening their squad in order to avoid the drop spot and relegation, with a signing that would also secure their last line of defence - their goalie! Rory Kerr who had been plying his trade at Kelburne before moving on to other opportunities.
The 'keeper who trained with the Ozzie squad during the Commonwealth Games in Scotland in 2014, and then went onto play for Canterbury and then abroad in Australia, has presumably moved to the 'smoke' of Landan town with work and making the most of the opportunity to play again in the English national league.
The 'keeper who trained with the Ozzie squad during the Commonwealth Games in Scotland in 2014, and then went onto play for Canterbury and then abroad in Australia, has presumably moved to the 'smoke' of Landan town with work and making the most of the opportunity to play again in the English national league.
Kit watch: Borsoi switches to Obo + rhp
A quick kit sighting as Brighton & Hove's Chris Borsoi has switched his rhp to the Obo + rhp. Having worn all Brabo foam for the past couple of seasons, it's interesting to make note of the changeover considering that the Brabo design is fairly similar to his Obo choice, with Brabo's also focusing on stick control with ground control for diving saves and stick clearances.
Whilst the Brabo design has a fixed 'cuff' and wrist location, like the TK design, the Obo design has a bit more flexibility at the wearer's wrist which allows for those miniscule movements during reflex saves that can make the difference turning the ball away on the save during rotation.
Whilst the Brabo design has a fixed 'cuff' and wrist location, like the TK design, the Obo design has a bit more flexibility at the wearer's wrist which allows for those miniscule movements during reflex saves that can make the difference turning the ball away on the save during rotation.
Thursday, 18 October 2018
Rose Thomas using Brabo LHP
An interesting kit sighting to make note of (especially if you're a goalie nerd like myself...) is Holcombe's Welsh international goalkeeper Rose Thomas switching LHP's from Obo to Brabo.
Obviously Chris Borsoi is the only national league goalkeeper (to note) to be using Brabo in the English leagues right now, wearing all the foam, but internationally, there have been a few goalkeepers changing LHP's over to Brabo, especially given the "word on the street" (I don't know the goalie equivalent, sorry...) that the Brabo LHP has the best rebound available.
Thus, highly skilled goalkeepers like those representing their nations competitively, and playing at the highest level in the country, are switching over to Brabo for left hand save making. George Ratcliffe did for a while before switching back, and it seems that other goalkeepers are taking notice, with the trend continuining.
It would seem that favouring the best range of rebound available follows trends in elite technique wherein getting the biggest clearance possible on the initial save means that the goalkeeper buys themselves time to recover and set for the second phase rather than flopping around from a prone position. The bigger the clearance, the more chance the goalkeeper gives themselves for making the next save.
As Obo gloves are designed more primarily for rebound control i.e. playing the ball down to the floor and looking to clear with the feet, the square design gives the largest surface area for getting behind a shot i.e. even making a glancing save to tip the ball away like a 'fingertip' style save, whilst the rebound helps prioritise clearing the ball on the save and then getting back in the game for the second phase.
Obviously Chris Borsoi is the only national league goalkeeper (to note) to be using Brabo in the English leagues right now, wearing all the foam, but internationally, there have been a few goalkeepers changing LHP's over to Brabo, especially given the "word on the street" (I don't know the goalie equivalent, sorry...) that the Brabo LHP has the best rebound available.
Thus, highly skilled goalkeepers like those representing their nations competitively, and playing at the highest level in the country, are switching over to Brabo for left hand save making. George Ratcliffe did for a while before switching back, and it seems that other goalkeepers are taking notice, with the trend continuining.
It would seem that favouring the best range of rebound available follows trends in elite technique wherein getting the biggest clearance possible on the initial save means that the goalkeeper buys themselves time to recover and set for the second phase rather than flopping around from a prone position. The bigger the clearance, the more chance the goalkeeper gives themselves for making the next save.
As Obo gloves are designed more primarily for rebound control i.e. playing the ball down to the floor and looking to clear with the feet, the square design gives the largest surface area for getting behind a shot i.e. even making a glancing save to tip the ball away like a 'fingertip' style save, whilst the rebound helps prioritise clearing the ball on the save and then getting back in the game for the second phase.
Tuesday, 2 October 2018
Kit sightings: TRC in Obo "moon boots"
HWHC's Toby Reynold-Cotteril is currently using the new, square angled Obo kickers colloquially refered to as 'moon boots ' right . Maddie Hinch is , but there are few 'keepers currently using them...
A lot like the TK G+1 kickers that had reinforced layers of foam, as well as the distinct 'squared' line kicker, Obo's newest design incorporates the flattened inside edge for each kicker, rather a generic kicker that can be used for either foot (goalkeepers often swap their kickers over mid-season to get more longevity/use out of them from regular training use).
The squared off kicker itself means that kicking is easier, as adjustments are easier due to the angle already being there (turning the hip/ankle is easier to adjust when driving through and resetting as you pre-scan), as well as making rebound control slightly easier and more defined when saving in-close like at corners.
In game use, the kicker seemed to come in useful with TRC's stand-up approach to short corner defence, with the inforced angle saving him a couple of times as he dragged the feet back to cover the gap between his legs, with the kicker helping adjust the angle, so the ball slowed sideways instead of going in for an embarrassing redirect. And other than that, aided with his strong save-clears with his feet when covering the right side of goal from his upright position.
I think the 'moonboots' will definitely give Toby an edge this season (it's really good to see he is constantly looking to evolve as a goalkeeper, which only highlights a great future) and will grow in popularity as more elite goalkeepers use them.
A lot like the TK G+1 kickers that had reinforced layers of foam, as well as the distinct 'squared' line kicker, Obo's newest design incorporates the flattened inside edge for each kicker, rather a generic kicker that can be used for either foot (goalkeepers often swap their kickers over mid-season to get more longevity/use out of them from regular training use).
The squared off kicker itself means that kicking is easier, as adjustments are easier due to the angle already being there (turning the hip/ankle is easier to adjust when driving through and resetting as you pre-scan), as well as making rebound control slightly easier and more defined when saving in-close like at corners.
In game use, the kicker seemed to come in useful with TRC's stand-up approach to short corner defence, with the inforced angle saving him a couple of times as he dragged the feet back to cover the gap between his legs, with the kicker helping adjust the angle, so the ball slowed sideways instead of going in for an embarrassing redirect. And other than that, aided with his strong save-clears with his feet when covering the right side of goal from his upright position.
I think the 'moonboots' will definitely give Toby an edge this season (it's really good to see he is constantly looking to evolve as a goalkeeper, which only highlights a great future) and will grow in popularity as more elite goalkeepers use them.
Kit chat: TRC's abdomen padding
Having been at the HWHC vs Wimbledon game in person, it was possible to make a few observant goalie-nerd sightings.
TRC is currently wearing an old Obo chest pad extension as abdomen padding, to reinforce the gap between chest pad and shorts. Not all shorts/girdles available have actual padding in place between the hips, leaving a bit of a vulnerable gap due to the size of most jocks.
A simple solution is making use of an ice hockey goalie jock that has more reinforced padding for the groin, but other goalkeepers, like TRC and George Pinner, prefer the additional loose padding of a chest pad overlaid over the shorts.
TRC is using the purple Obo chest pad (which was one of Obo's original padded chest designs - also a chest pad that Alex Chapman wore in goal for Oxted 1's about 9 years ago now!).
The chest pad was layered and connected by a strapping system - and it would appear Toby is using the lowest layer somehow strapped or sewn in to the current Obo chest pad (which is probably one of the best out there - I don't understand why companies aren't using plastic inserts for shorts as well, foam is redundant for protection...).
A lot like George Pinner's TK modified body armour set, using the old TX G1 abdomen protector that was a loose piece attached to the main chest pad, TRC is using ingenuity to give him extra protection, presumably not wanting to take any risks playing with the highest level of shots, in the Premier league.
TRC is currently wearing an old Obo chest pad extension as abdomen padding, to reinforce the gap between chest pad and shorts. Not all shorts/girdles available have actual padding in place between the hips, leaving a bit of a vulnerable gap due to the size of most jocks.
A simple solution is making use of an ice hockey goalie jock that has more reinforced padding for the groin, but other goalkeepers, like TRC and George Pinner, prefer the additional loose padding of a chest pad overlaid over the shorts.
TRC is using the purple Obo chest pad (which was one of Obo's original padded chest designs - also a chest pad that Alex Chapman wore in goal for Oxted 1's about 9 years ago now!).
The chest pad was layered and connected by a strapping system - and it would appear Toby is using the lowest layer somehow strapped or sewn in to the current Obo chest pad (which is probably one of the best out there - I don't understand why companies aren't using plastic inserts for shorts as well, foam is redundant for protection...).
A lot like George Pinner's TK modified body armour set, using the old TX G1 abdomen protector that was a loose piece attached to the main chest pad, TRC is using ingenuity to give him extra protection, presumably not wanting to take any risks playing with the highest level of shots, in the Premier league.
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