Butturini using Obo hi rebound rhp

With the Junior World Cup under way at the moment, it's been interesting (well, for a kit obsessive anyway!) to observe the goalkeepers in action. And one thing that stood out in the trending switch to using the Obo hi rebound rhp for a larger blocking surface when making saves to the right, Australia's starting goalkeeper is Andrew Butturini moving away from using the new Mazon rhp over to the aforementioned Obo hi rebound rhp. Making a few standing saves with said glove on drag flicks, demonstrating the proper way to use the glove and execute said technique of covering more shooting space, was a good illustration of how it is possible to stay standing up against corners, using the time to react and block from an upright position. In terms of the switch, I'm not sure if Australia's other goalkeeping choice Eddie Chittleborough had a part to play in influencing it, seeing as he made the switch himself a while ago, akin to the Blaak/Stockmann/Jenniskens scenario for using the same glove over in Holland.

Anyhoo picographic evidence here!

http://events.fih.ch/new/match/5161#photos

Cachia making use of ice hockey 'dangler'

With a few goalkeepers now wearing them in the national leagues globally, it's interesting to see Jamie Cachia as the only goalie in the British national league system to be wearing an ice hockey goalie 'dangler' that attaches to the mask and cage, offering extra protection to the neck area. After a potentially catastrophic injury whilst playing in the Hoofdklasse, David Harte has also been seen wearing one (although not sure if it is/was unrelated to the incident) in the Dutch elite league. Australia's George Bazeley, who has made the switch to Obo sponsorship and foam from Mazon, was wearing one whilst wearing a helmet/cage style combo, and is now also wearing one with an Obo mask. I was mucking around with one about fear seasons back, taking the idea from my ice hockey playing days (I get around as a goalie!!) to the dismay of Reevsey at Surbiton! But it's another option for us goalies other than foam padding around the neck so long as you don't mind the clanging, although a bit of noise pollution is worth it if you ever have any hairy (scary) moments involving shots to the neck area for those more protection wary.

http://adykerry.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/EHB-Picture-service-2013-2014/G0000WDa_LRS.izM/I0000wCXR0htaoNI

Lowell in his second Super 9 Series

With the Kookaburras hosting their second Super 9 Series after last year's success with the fast paced adaptation of our beautiful game, goalkeeper Nathan Lowell was given his second run "in between the sticks" for his national team as they looked to triumph. Lowell who got noticed for his battling attitude in the AHL impressed Charlesworth enough to get included in the first choice squad in the long term build up for the next Olympic games. Given his chance in friendlies against Korea, he is being given the opportunity to compete. Tristan Clemons was included as the second choice for the Kookaburras in World Cup qualifying, so it will be interesting to see who Charlesworth turns to next year in the tournament!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbartle/10380055663/in/set-72157636752025223

Hayward back in Kookaburras setup

With the Olympic cycle calendar starting to build up, it's interesting to see Leon Hayward get included in the Kookaburras squad for the Super 9 series (which is not so recent as it was a while ago now!). Leon, who was a standout for the U21's in the last Junior World Cup held in Malaysia and Indonesia four years ago now (the next will be coming round the corner quite quickly!), seems to have been a fringe choice with coach Ric Charlesworth looking to include other more mature goalkeeping choices, given Australia's more realistic and sensible approach of bringing their goalkeepers in later rather than expecting too much of young talent and burning it out. Leon has been involved with the Australian indoor squad, graduating from his U21 days, so would have quite easily adapted to this smaller squad sized outdoor style of our game (which worryingly may be pushed as the format for the Olympics as they look to crowd please!). And with experience with Australia A, I don't think it will be too long for him to wait to get his chance at an Olympic campaign.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbartle/10379361134/in/set-72157636752025223

Banister clearly Exeter's first choice

With Chris Rea and Andrew Miller having graduated from Exeter over the summer, the university side's first team were going to be looking for a sure fire starter in order to help regroup and battle for promotion as they break in some new young blood freshers. With Dudley having moved from Birmingham to the Devonshire side, I made the assumption that he would be taking over from Rea and Miller, who split starts last season. But it seems that Australian goalkeeper Jack Banister (who is either on a gap year or scholarship scenario, as I'm not sure how overseas players registration affects things) is deemed worthy of taking over the goalkeeping mantle for the side.

At 19 he is probably (one would assume!) the youngest starting goalkeeper in the national league, accompanying a squad where the average age will be in the 20s. But he has performed well, showing his ability, getting wins against some tough teams, along with clean sheets, nonetheless. His experience of playing indoor and outdoor to a competitive level should make the adjustment easier on him as he settles into the English national league, but there may be a few changes he has to make to optimise his changes in the British style of hockey.

http://www.rskg.co.uk/p887937551/h28d166eb#h28d166eb

http://hockeywales.org.uk/news_EHL-teams-unbeaten-against-Exeter-opposition_Jul13.html

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk//fl/ehl/current_teams_reg_players.asp?t=9227&l=1&section=

Kit wise he is using Obo pads and kickers, with a Grphon tube style rhp (presumably brought over with him?!), flat defender style stick (which a lot of national league standard goalies find useful for the low bow) and a TK lhp. And keeps only the right arm padded, as is getting quite popular globally. Style wise he seems to standout with the stereotypical "X stance" approach with hands up and out to help with having active hands for save making.